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Degrees Explained

Degrees Explained

What kind of student are you?

There are many different types of degrees and certificates offered at Spokane Falls Community College. Some are better for students looking to transfer to a four-year institution, while others allow graduates to start working immediately in a potentially high-paying career.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

An Associate of Applied Science degree is a perfect fit for students interested in entering the workforce after graduation. The degree generally includes a career specialty emphasis. Candidates interested in an AAS will need to complete a minimum of 90 quarter credits in program requirements with a grade point average of 2.0 or better.

For more information, visit the Online Catalog.

Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T)

Some career and technical programs of study may offer an Associate in Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) degree that is designed to provide transfer opportunities to a four-year university. An AAS-T is awarded in a career and technical discipline that contains a minumum of 20 transferable credits in ommunications, quantitative reasoning, and social science, humanities or science.

For more information, visit the Online Catalog.

Associate in Fine Arts (AFA)

A primary purpose of the Associate in Fine Arts is to offer a program of study applicable for transfer to a four-year institution. While the Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) degree does not satisfy the general education requirements for most four-year institutions, all courses are transferable.

For more information, visit the Online Catalog.

Associate in Science-Transfer (AS-T)

The Associate in Science-Transfer (AS-T) degree is intended for students majoring in engineering and science who wish to transfer as juniors to four-year institutions in Washington. Students who earn this degree will transfer with about half of the lower division education courses required by four-year institutions.

For more information, visit the Online Catalog.

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)

The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree is an applied baccalaureate degree providing upper-division coursework in an applied field that may be offered at a community or technical college. These degrees build upon professional-technical associate degrees (AAS, AAS-T, AS-T) providing a clear pathway for students who may be place bound or have difficulty finding a transfer opportunity for their associate degree.

For more information, visit the Online Catalog.

Career and Technical Certificates

Career and technical certificates are available in more than 100 professional and technical areas, providing students an avenue to enter high-skill and potentially high-wage occupations rather than transferring to a four-year institution. Career and Technical Certificates of at least three quarters in length also include a specified amount of credits in related education.

For more information, visit the Online Catalog.

Certificate in Fine Arts (CFA)

This certificate program provides an opportunity for the student to concentrate his or her program of study in fine arts. The program is suitable for those who wish to pursue art as a profession. The program is not designed with an emphasis on transfer, although all courses in the program are transferable. A candidate for a Certificate in Fine Arts (CFA) must complete a minimum of 96 quarter credits with a grade point average of 2.0 or better.

For more information, visit the Online Catalog.

Direct Transfer Agreements

The Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) Associate Degree, sometimes called the Associate in Arts or Associate in Arts and Sciences, is the community college degree designed to transfer to most bachelors of arts degrees at Washington's four-year institutions. In order for the agreement to be valid for transfer, however, it is essential that the degree be completed. Transfer guides are available from counselors and at the SCC and SFCC Transfer Centers.

For more information, visit the Online Catalog.

Direct Transfer Agreements/Major Related Programs (DTA/MRP)

To help transfer students better prepare for the junior year, two-year and four-year institutions work together to create transfer associate pathways outlining the appropriate courses in order for students to be well prepared to enter the major upon transfer. Major Related Program (MRP) pathways follow one of the two statewide transfer agreements - the DTA format or the Associate in Science (AS-T) format.

For more information, visit the Online Catalog.