Prospective Students

The Seattle Community Colleges offer associate’s degrees which transfer to four-year institutions in a wide range of academic fields. Learn more details about these degrees on pages 5-11 in our catalog or visit the college sites:

Associate of Arts (A.A.)

The A.A. degree offers the most direct route for transfer to a four-year institution. It is accepted by most of Washington’s four-year schools and often constitutes the first two years of work toward a bachelor’s degree.

• South offers a special A.A. degree in Pacific Islander Studies.
• Central offers a special A.A. degree in Deaf Studies
• Central offers a special A.A. degree in Sustainable Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture

Review A.A. degree requirements

The three Seattle Community Colleges offer students opportunities to study in “learning communities” thorough Coordinated Studies and Linked Courses that cluster classes, often around a theme. A major objective of such learning communities is for students to discover the interdisciplinary and integrative nature of knowledge by experiencing several different perspectives. Students learn how to collaborate in problem-solving groups, experience the importance of writing in the learning process, and develop independent and critical thinking skills through seminars exploring books, small group work and visual media. For more information see page 4 of the current catalog. MORE >

Associate in Business (A.B.)

The A.B. degree at North and South satisfies lower division general education and business requirements at Washington’s public four-year colleges and universities.

Associate in Elementary Education (A.E.E.)
Associate in Math Education (A.M.)

These degrees are designed to provide a solid foundation for direct transfer into Elementary Education (K-8) or secondary Math Education (6-12) programs in the state of Washington.

Associate of Science (A.S. and A.S.-T)

The A.S. and A.S.-T. degrees are intended for math and science students who wish to transfer to four-year institutions. Two study options are offered:

• Track 1:  biological sciences, environmental/resources sciences, chemistry, geology and earth sciences
• Track 2:  engineering, computer science, physics and atmospheric science

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

A 90+ credit degree that includes general education and/or related instruction as an essential part of the program. Many professional-technical programs offer the A.A.S. degree.

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

For students who initially enroll in a professional/technical program and then seek to transfer to a four-year institution for a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.S.-T. prepares students for specific bachelor’s degree programs at specific institutions. Consult an advisor.

Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A)

North Seattle Community College offers an Associate of Fine Arts (A.F.A.) degree in art and in music. Both degrees require at least two years of study and include many of the A.A. degree requirements as well as specific requirements in either art or music. While the A.F.A. degree prepares students to transfer to four-year institutions, the only college to which an A.F.A. recipient can currently transfer with junior standing is The Evergreen State College.