The Seattle Community Colleges offer more than 100 programs in professional and technical career areas. Program length varies from one quarter to two years. All offer Certificates of Completion. Some offer an Associate of Applied Arts Degree (A.A.S.) with additional course work. A few A.A.S. degrees qualify for potential transfer to a four-year college (A.A.S.-T. degree).
Certificate programs prepare graduates for employment in a wide variety of professional and technical careers. Requirements include satisfactory completion of an approved program of study with a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average. For admission to a certificate program, an applicant must be at least 18 or be a high school graduate. Tests and a minimum proficiency may be required for certain programs. Waiting lists and application fees may be required of others. Education and work experience may be accepted to satisfy part of the certificate requirements if specifically related to the individual program of study. A majority of credits must be completed at the college granting the certificate. Credits earned in certificate programs are generally applicable toward the A.A.S. degree. NOTE: Courses must be numbered 100 or above to count toward certificate programs. MORE >
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree prepares students for employment through development of technical and related skills and instruction in academic subjects appropriate to the occupational field. To earn a degree within the Seattle Community Colleges, a student must complete at least 90 credits and have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. At least 15 credits must be earned at the Seattle Community College granting the degree. Students should consult an advisor or division counselor for specific GPA requirements in their programs of study. Programs are designed and updated by advisory committees made up of local industry leaders and labor representatives to reflect current employment trends. Instructors bring industry experience as well as education and training to the classroom. All instructors hold vocational instructor certificates and stay informed of industry changes. A core of general education and/or related instruction courses is regarded as essential for all A.A.S. degree programs and all certificate programs of an academic year or more in length. Courses in communications, computation, human relations and selected courses from humanities, natural sciences and social sciences are required. Additional topics may include safety and environmental awareness. Some A.A.S. programs and some courses in A.A.S. degree programs may transfer to four-year colleges or universities. Consult a program advisor or transfer institution concerning course transferability prior to enrollment. NOTE: Courses must be numbered 100 or above to count toward A.A. S. degree. MORE >
The Associate of Applied Science - T Degree is designed to assist students who initially enrolled for a Workforce Education technical degree and who then seek to transfer to a four-year institution for a bachelor’s degree. The A.A.S.- T. degree is based on technical courses required for job preparation but also includes transfer degree general education courses. In general, technical degree programs are not designed for general transfer to other colleges or universities; the A.A.S.-T. degree prepares students for specific bachelor's degree programs at specific institutions. Students should contact the community college Advising Office for a current list of four-year colleges accepting the A.A.S.-T. degree. NOTE: Courses must be numbered 100 or above to count toward the A.A.S.-T. degree. MORE >
Two of our colleges also offer four year basccaluareate degrees: Central — Bachelor of Applied Behavioral Science (BAS) For those wishing to develop strong social and human services practitioner skills in a wide variety of roles, including mental health, chemical dependency, domestic violence, case management, work with homelessness, school based services, and many other specializations. South — Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Hospitality Management This program focuses on applied management training in all facets of the hospitality industry, including tourism, hotel operation, restaurant management, catering, cruise ships, casino operations and travel. MORE >
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Degrees and certificates are offered in the professional and technical career areas listed below.
Green for the 21st Century in Seattle
Innovations in curriculum and operations have earned the 2009 Green Washington Award for the Seattle Community Colleges – Central, North and South. All three colleges are active members of the Seattle Climate Partnership and North was an early signer of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. A district-wide Chancellor’s Sustainability Initiative provides energy, focus and a forum for emerging training and initiatives.
Sustainability is infused into programs ranging from urban agriculture at Central to environmental science, real estate and building management across the district. Students have funded a sustainability coordinator. Campus activities include reducing the carbon footprint and promoting recycling and energy conservation, which earned a “Recycler of the Year” award for South. Last year, the college culinary operations diverted 31 tons of materials to a regional composting facility – which returned the compost to “green” the college landscape.
For more information visit www.seattlecolleges.edu/green
Helping displaced workers to ‘Start Next Quarter’
During the economic downturn, thousands of displaced workers turned to the Seattle Community Colleges at the same time regional employers reported a need for skilled workers to fill jobs in the new economy. To help both potential workers and employers, the Seattle Community Colleges developed Start Next Quarter (SNQ), a two-part initiative designed to improve the success of dislocated workers who enroll in technical education programs. SNQ invites prospective students to assess their eligibility for workforce funding online and connects them to a comprehensive two-day college success workshop held at each campus. The workshops are based on a model developed at one of the district campuses. Students who complete the workshop are more likely to complete their training programs and to obtain jobs using their new skills. The project was developed in part through a grant from the League for Innovation, funded by the Walmart Foundation Bright Futures project to serve displaced workers.
Visit www.startnextquarter.org
A Model for the Region
The Opportunity Center for Employment and Education at North Seattle Community College is a regional resource and the first integrated service center of its kind in Washington state. Since the OCE&E opened its doors in spring 2011, more than 40,000 people have come for one-stop help in finding a new job, career retraining or to sign up for public assistance benefits. Founding partners were the state Departments of Social and Health Services and Employment Security, the college, and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County. The campus and the new LEED Gold Certified 45,000-square foot facility are in the heart of Seattle’s north end and close to a major transit hub. House Speaker Frank Chopp and Rep. Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney (sponsor of the legislation and a former Seattle District trustee) championed the OCE&E in the state legislature. The center aims to provide streamlined services in a positive environment, helping clients succeed in the next stage of their lives.