Apr 16, 2024  
2023-2024 Catalog SVC 
    
2023-2024 Catalog SVC

Overview: Degrees and Certificates



Bachelor’s Degrees


Skagit Valley College offers two types of Bachelor’s-level degrees: Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS), which are selective-entry programs that build on the education and training from two-year technical Associate degrees with two years of upper-level course work; and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BS - Computer Science), which is a direct-entry, open admission program.

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) Degrees

Applied Bachelor’s Degrees (BAS) are degrees designed for individuals who have already earned a two-year associate’s degree and provide workplace skills in specific career areas. Compared to four-year degrees at traditional colleges and universities, applied bachelor’s degrees incorporate more hands-on learning focused on a specific industry. They are designed with strong internship components and often offer credit for prior learning in a previous degree.

The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree is a four-year, 180-credit baccalaureate degree, specifically designed to build on professional-technical associate’s degrees that provide workplace skills. BAS degrees include upper-division professional and general education courses. BAS programs are a pathway to the baccalaureate degrees, in an applied field, that provide expanded career opportunities for graduates and meet the needs of employers in the community.

Bachelor of Science (BS) Degrees

Bachelor’s of Science (BS) Degrees are designed for direct entry. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is a four-year, 180-credit baccalaureate degree.

Associate Degrees


Associate degrees are two-year degrees of at least 90 credits that are traditionally offered at community colleges, junior colleges, and technical colleges. They can be focused either on “transfer” for students who intend to go on to earn a traditional four-year degree at a college or university, or “workforce” which are more specifically designed to provide the necessary skills and knowledge to enter into a particular field or industry. Some associate degrees prepare students for either employment or transfer to a four-year institution.

Transfer Focused Associate Degrees


Intended for students who are interested in transferring to a complete four-year bachelor’s degree at a university, but who would like to complete the first two years of courses at Skagit Valley College.

Associate in Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)

Associate in Arts Direct Transfer Agreement degrees are designed to provide students with a broad background during their first and second year of study so that they can transfer to a four-year school with standing as a junior. These degrees follow guidelines set by the state’s Intercollege Relations Commission. The associate degree curriculum is designed to give students a general education that transfers to four-year universities for bachelor’s degrees.

For those who qualify, the Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) gives students priority admission and general education for most Washington state universities. Students must have the AA degree, be a Washington state resident, and meet the minimum GPA for their chosen university. Students who complete this path and are accepted at a four-year university will be ready for their junior year at all public and participating private colleges.

Associate Direct Transfer Agreement Major Related Program (DTA/MRP)

Associate Direct Transfer Agreement Major Related Program (MRP) pathways are transfer associate pathways outlining the appropriate courses in order for students to be well prepared to enter a major upon transfer-Major Related Program (MRP) pathways follow one of the two Washington statewide transfer agreements-the Associate in Arts DTA format or the Associate in Science-Transfer (AS-T) format with courses chosen to following a specific major.

Associate in Science-Transfer Degrees (AS-T)

Associate in Science-Transfer degrees are designed to prepare science and engineering majors for transfer to a four-year school with standing as a junior. All of the Associate in Science-Transfer degrees adhere to guidelines developed under the guidance of the Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges. Most coursework is in mathematics, science, and engineering but the curriculum also includes additional general education requirements.

Associate in Applied Science-Transfer Degrees (AAS-T)

Associate in Applied Science-Transfer degrees are built upon the technical courses required for job preparation; however, they also include a transferable general education component, common in structure for all such degrees. The general education courses for the degrees are drawn from the same distribution requirements list as those taken by students completing the Associate in Arts or the Associate in Science-Transfer degrees. Associate in Applied Science-Transfer degrees prepare graduates for jobs requiring two years of training or for transfer to specific four-year institution with agreements to accept this degree toward specific bachelor’s programs.

Associate in Education (A.Ed) and Associate in Visual Arts (AVA) Degrees

Like the Associate in Applied Science-Transfer degrees, these degrees are built upon the technical courses required for job preparation but they also include college-level general education components. These degrees prepare graduates for jobs requiring two years of training or for transfer to specific four-year schools with agreements to accept these degrees toward specific bachelor’s programs.

Workforce Focused Associate Degrees


Approximately two years long, depending on possible degree pre-requisites, Associate of Applied Science Degrees are intended to give students the skills needed to move directly into employment.

Associate of Applied Science Degrees (AAS)

Associate of Applied Science degrees are designed to provide professional and technical training to prepare students for specific jobs or to improve existing skills. All career programs have advisory committees of professionals in related fields to ensure that the curriculum evolves with changes in business and industry. Advisory committee members and faculty members work together to link education and employment to help students succeed.

Associate Degree - General Studies


Intended for students who are looking to achieve a two-year degree.

Associate of Arts, General Studies (AA)

The Associate of Arts General Studies Degree is appropriate for students whose primary goal is to earn a two-year college degree. It may be suitable for you if you wish to apply credit by challenge, independent study, CLEP, professional/technical, or military programs to courses not included in the Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) where applicable.

This degree is not designed to be a transfer degree. It is strongly recommended that students taking the AA General Studies degree and desiring to transfer to a four-year college or university seek the assistance of an advisor to plan an appropriate course of study. 

High School Diploma or Equivalency


Diplomas are granted for successful completion of high school diploma programs at the college. Students can earn a high school diploma or an equivalent through multiple different programs at SVC. Each program has separate admission and completion requirements. Successful completion of any one of the programs will earn a student a high school diploma authorized by the state of Washington. Students may also earn a diploma through rules set in State House Bill (SHB) 1758 . In addition, General Equivalency Degree (GED®) preparation classes are also offered for those seeking an alternate credential to a high school diploma.

HS21 Adult High School Diploma

HS21 Adult High School Diploma is a competency-based high school completion program for adults 21 years of age or older who do not have a high school diploma or GED®. High School competency requirements may be met through high school and college coursework and/or prior learning gained from work, life, and/or military experience. Unmet requirements may be achieved through additional coursework at Skagit Valley College.

Open Doors

Open Doors is a competency-based high school completion program for eligible individuals who are 17-20 years of age who are deficient in high school credits. High School competency requirements may be met through high school and college coursework and/or prior learning gained from work and life experience. Unmet requirements may be achieved through additional coursework at Skagit Valley College.

INVEST Program

The INVEST program at SVC is a comprehensive Post-Secondary Transition program for individuals with intellectual disabilities, currently enrolled in local high school until 21 years of age.

GED Exam Preparation

The GED® is a certificate of high school equivalency for individuals who have not completed high school. The exam consists of four separate tests, one for each of the following areas: Social Studies, Science, Mathematical Reasoning, and Reasoning through Language Arts (RLA). Skagit Valley College offers courses to prepare you to take the four tests.

Certificates


Approximately one year long, Certificates are intended to provide students with specialized training and skills in a number of interest areas.

Micro-Certificates


Micro Certificates are short-term programs focused on providing training in a specific skill. Typically two quarters or less, the courses are focused to help students gain skills in a specific area.

Basic Education for Adults Programming


Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) programs are designed for adults who may have experienced educational gaps or missed the opportunity to develop certain skills. BEdA provides the opportunity for adult learners to achieve. This program is intended to improve English language skills, earn a high school diploma or GED, or start earning college credit and prepare for career training or a transfer degree.