Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) is a community college

Community college

A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...

 in Springfield, Missouri

Springfield, Missouri

Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...

, established by Springfield and thirteen surrounding public school districts on April 3, 1990. Students can earn a one-year Certificate, two-year Associate of Applied Science degree (A.A.S.), or an Associate of Arts degree (A.A.). In 1996, OTC received accreditation from the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...

. In Spring 2007, OTC received approval from the Higher Learning Commission to deliver all of its degree programs online. The College has a fall 2011 enrollment of more than 15,000 students.

History

The Technical Education Center opened in the summer of 1997, the Information Commons in the summer of 1998, the Information Commons East wing in the summer of 1999, and the Industry and Transportation Technology Center opened in 2000. Renovation of Lincoln Hall was completed in 2001, with the Information Commons West wing to be complete in fall 2002. Grants and a contribution from John Q. Hammons also made beautification of the campus possible with the construction of a pedestrian mall between buildings and a waterfall along Chestnut Expressway. The Richwood Valley campus (south of the main campus in Springfield) will be open for classes starting January 2007. It will be the 6th location where classes are taught.

Academics

OTC offers an Associate of Arts degree as well an Associate of Arts in Teaching (to cover general education as well as the first two years worth of classes one would take at a four year university). In addition, OTC offers over twenty Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees, including (the most popular, based on enrollment):

• Graphic Design
  Graphic design
  Graphic design is a creative process – most often involving a client and a designer and usually completed in conjunction with producers of form – undertaken in order to convey a specific message to a targeted audience...
  
   Technology
• Early Childhood Development

Vocational Education

Beginning its life as Graff Vocational School, OTC continues to offer courses to High School

High school

High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....

 students allowing them to earn college credit prior to graduation

Graduation

Graduation is the action of receiving or conferring an academic degree or the ceremony that is sometimes associated, where students become Graduates. Before the graduation, candidates are referred to as Graduands. The date of graduation is often called degree day. The graduation itself is also...

.

Center for Workforce Development

The Center for Workforce Development addresses the ever changing needs of the Springfield

Springfield, Missouri

Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...

 workforce. Included is the Transport Training Institute (which provides training for those seeking a commercial driver's license) and Community Enrichment classes.

OTC Foundation

The OTC Foundation was established in 1995 to help meet the growing needs of the College by identifying and mobilizing broad-based regional sources and resources. Recognizing the diverse educational objectives that comprise the OTC mission and its primary focus on job skill education and training, the Foundation strives to develop an expanding financial support network for the College and its students.

The OTC Foundation is the fund-raising arm of the college, raising private funds necessary to ensure we are able to offer students and the OTC community a college that's focused on their success.

Student organizations and groups

OTC offers a over twenty clubs covering wide range interests including:

• Baptist Student Union (BSU)
• B.E.S.T.
• Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship
• Christian Campus House
• Computer Programmers and Users Society (CPU)
• Criminal Justice Society
• Dental Assisting (DAS)
• Dental Hygiene (DHY)
• El Club de Espanol (SPN)
• Equality
• Honors Society
• Hospitality/Culinary Student Association (HCSA)
• International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)
• Jazz Club
• Society for Occupational Therapy Assistants (SOTA)
• OTC College Republicans
  College Republicans
  The College Republican National Committee is a national organization for college and university students who support the Republican Party of the United States...
  
  
• Phi Theta Kappa
  Phi Theta Kappa
  Phi Theta Kappa, also ΦΘΚ or sometimes PTK , is the international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs, particularly community colleges and junior colleges. It also includes Associate's degree-granting programs offered by four-year colleges...
  
  
• Physical Therapy
  Physical therapy
  Physical therapy , often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession. Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment/intervention,and rehabilitation...
  
   Association (PTA)
• PLANET
• Respiratory Therapy
  Respiratory therapy
  Respiratory therapy is a healthcare profession in which specialists work with patients suffering from either acute or chronic respiratory problems. These specialists are termed Respiratory Therapists in most places internationally but may also be referred to as Respiratory Scientists or...
  
   Association (RTA)
• Sensational Singers
• Society for the Awareness of the Natural Environment (SANE)
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
• Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)
• Student-Missouri State Teachers Association (SMSTA)
• Student Nurse Association (SNA)
• Surgical Technology
• Veterans at OTC (VOTC)

SkillsUSA

OTC students (both secondary

Secondary education

Secondary education is the stage of education following primary education. Secondary education includes the final stage of compulsory education and in many countries it is entirely compulsory. The next stage of education is usually college or university...

 and post secondary) participate in the SkillsUSA competition every year. Students brought home six gold medals in 2009.

Athletics

OTC does not offer athletics in the traditional sense, however numerous intramural teams exist.