Computer Science DTA/MRP

The Associate in Computer Science Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program (CS DTA/MRP) pathway is applicable to students planning to prepare for computer science and related majors at universities and colleges in Washington. This pathway meets all of the requirements of the Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA). Computer science programs are competitive and this pathway intends to provide students with the needed information to optimize their coursework to meet the DTA and prepare for computer science and related majors at universities and colleges in Washington.

Although this degree will be granted to SVC students completing with a cumulative 2.0 GPA, entry into a baccalaureate program at a four-year school will require a higher GPA for admission. Admission is highly competitive and not guaranteed; it is important to perform your best in all SVC college classes. Seeking out an advisor/counselor early in your studies is highly recommended, as is checking with your potential transfer institution about specific GPA requirements and course choices.

The suggested schedule below includes required DTA courses. Student schedule may vary based on entry point, credit load, and prerequisites. Consult with department chair or SVC counselor for scheduling options.

The two-year suggested schedule below is provided as only a guide for a traditional full-time student whose goal is the Computer ScienceDTA/MRP degree. Frequent course offerings allow for individualized schedules that will ensure all student degree objectives are met.

Note: An ampersand (&) designates Common Course Numbering.

Students must complete a minimum of 90 quarter credits in transferable courses numbered 100 or above with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in order to graduate from SVC with an Associate in Computer Science. At least 25 college-level credits of the 90 credits must be earned at SVC. Credits must satisfy course requirements listed below. Students should contact potential degree institutions regarding specific requirements where options are listed.

Note: An ampersand (&) designates Common Course Numbering.

• EWU requires ENGL& 102 - Composition II  (5)
• Whitworth requires CMST 141 - Oral Interpretation of Literature (5)

• Two Integrative Learning Experiences (ILE) are required. One ILE must be a Learning Community. The second ILE may be another Learning Community or an Integrative Experience.
• A Learning Community (LC) is the integrated combination of two or more courses from different areas of inquiry (e.g. sociology and literature, or physics and math, or speech and economics, or composition and philosophy). Learning Communities are indicated in the course schedule.
• Integrative Experiences (IEs) are curricular or co-curricular experiences designed by faculty in which students demonstrate their ability to integrate information, concepts, analytical frameworks, and skills from two or more areas of inquiry in a purposeful project or experience. Integrative Experiences that are classes are indicated in the course schedule; co-curricular IEs are indicated in promotion and advising for the experience or project. Students may design a Learning into Action IE under the guidance of the supervising faculty member.​

Note: Learning Communities specifically designed for this degree may be offered; consult your advisor for information.

At least one Diversity Intensive course is required. Students should use the SVC online quarterly class schedule search or consult their faculty advisor or counselor to identify courses that fulfill this requirement.

Select credits from three areas of study: Natural Science, Social Science and Humanities. Eligible courses for each distribution area are listed in the Associate in Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement Distribution Lists.

Select from at least two disciplines. No more than 10 credits allowed from any one discipline. At least 10 credits in physical, biological and/or Earth sciences. Shall include at least one laboratory course. Five credits Engineering Physics 1 with lab and five credits Engineering Physics 2 with lab required.

• UW Tacoma requires MATH& 146 instead of MATH& 152 
• For Natural Science requirements, UW Tacoma will accept any 5-6 credit lab-based science course instead of only PHYS& 222.

Selected from at least two disciplines. No more than 10 credits allowed from any one discipline.

• WSU Vancouver requires ECON& 201 - Micro Economics or ECON& 202 - Macro Economics (5)

Selected from at least two disciplines. No more than 10 credits allowed from any one discipline. No more than 5 credits in foreign language at the 100 level. No more than 5 credits allowed in performance/skills courses.

• EWU and Gonzaga require PHIL 215 - Introduction to Ethics (5)

Five credits of Computer Programming 1 and five credits of Computer Programming II required. Five to ten credits in Calculus III required.

• CWU, UW Seattle, UW Bothell, UW Tacoma prefer: CS 142 - Java Programming I and CS 143 - Java Programming II 
• WSU Tri-Cities prefer: CS 210 - C++ Programming I and CS 211 - C++ Programming II 
• Other instituions: require two courses in either C++ or Java
• UW Bothell requires Statistics instead of Calculus III
• WSU (all campuses) requires Calculus III (MATH& 153 and MATH& 254 ).

• EWU: MATH 204 (5)
• Gonzaga, Heritage, Whitworth, WWU, WSU: PHYS& 243 and PHYS& 233 (6)
• WSU, Pacific Lutheran, Seattle Pacific, Seattle University: Physical, Biological, and/or Earth Science with lab (5)

No more than 15 credits may be from restricted subject areas. Should be planned with the help of an advisor based on the student’s interests, the intended major, and the preferences of the most likely baccalaureate institution.

• Gonzaga: Recommends Calculus 4, Critical Thinking (Symbolic Logic), Differential Equations, and Intro to Literature to fulfill graduation requirements
• Heritage: Discrete Math and Statistics will be evaluated for comparability to Heritage’s SPSC 231 and Math 221 courses*
• Pacific Lutheran: Intro to CS, Digital Systems, Data Structures, Statistics, and Discrete Structures will be evaluated for comparability to PLU’s, CSCE 144, 231 270, and Math 242, 245 courses*
• Seattle Pacific: Prefers C++ but accepts Java with SPU bridge course. Math& 153 will be evaluated for comparability to SPU’s Math 1236*
• Seattle University: Programming and Problem Solving 1 and 2 will be evaluated for comparability to CPSC 1420 and 1430 courses*
• WSU Pullman & WSU Tri-Cities: ​Recommends macro or micro economics to meet five credits of the social science requirement
• WSU (all campuses): ​Recommends discrete structures. Discrete Structures is a certification course for computer science and as such is required for admittance to the computer science program.
• Whitworth: ​Recommends electives include one Fine Art and one course fulfilling “American Diversity”

* Other lower level courses taken by Computer Science majors, which may need to be taken prior to graduation. Similar courses taken at other institutions will be evaluated at time of transfer and credit may be applied towards major, general education or electives as appropriate.