The Seattle 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

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 >

Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S)

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 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 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 >

Associate of Applied Science – T Degree (A.A.S.-T)

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 >

Baccaluareate Degrees (B.A.S.)

Related Instruction for Certificates and Degrees

Definition

Each professional / technical certificate or degree of 45 credits of more includes related instruction, the nontechnical portion of study which provides instruction in the areas of communication, computation, and human relations.

Rationale

The purpose of related instruction is to provide educational depth and breadth through development of essential skills in reading and writing, research and information literacy, in-person and media-based communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, understanding individuals and cultures, and quantitative or symbolic reasoning. These transferable skills support students as they continue in higher education, move forward in careers, and continue the process of lifelong learning.

Certificates of 45 credits or more

Related instruction may be taught as embedded content (33 hours in each area) or as separate courses aligned with program outcomes.

Associate of Applied Science Degree

A.A.S. students will complete a minimum of 20 credits of related instruction taught as college-level courses, including 5 credits each in the areas of communication, computation, human relations, and multicultural perspectives. Individual programs will identify courses which fulfill these requirements. MORE >

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Professional / Technical Programs

Degrees and certificates are offered in the professional and technical career areas listed below.

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