College Catalog
Programs | High School - College Programs GED
The Seattle Community Colleges offer several programs
that allow students still in high school to learn about,
prepare for, or take college courses. Students may find
out about and enroll in these programs through their
high school counselors. In addition each college offers
High School Completion courses and preparation and
testing for the General Equivalency Development (GED).
Concurrent High School / College Programs
Running Start
| Central |
(206) 587-3820 |
| North |
(206) 527-3682 |
| South |
(206) 764-5805 |
Running Start is a program for high school juniors and seniors who qualify for college-level work through college
placement testing. This program provides tuition-free college-level credit courses that may count toward both high school requirements and college credit at the
same time.
Tuition is paid by the state through the student’s public high school. Students should consult their
high school counselor and the college Running Start Office for placement testing and applications. Students
pay for books, lab fees and transportation. Online Virtual Running Start courses allow students to take college
courses from home, the school library or the workplace. For more information, visit
www.virtualcollege.org
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Tech Prep
| Central |
(206) 903-3222 |
| North |
(206) 903-3222 |
| South |
(206) 764-5387 |
A dual-credit national educational program, Tech Prep awards community college workforce educational credit
by recognizing comparable learning in the high school.
Tech Prep Seattle is a partnership between the Seattle Community Colleges and Seattle Public Schools. It is
designed for high school students who plan a career that will require a certificate or an Associate of Applied
Science degree from a community college. It strives to avoid duplicating curriculum content, sets high
academic standards and prepares students to meet real-world career demands.
Tech Prep courses are open to all students, but only those who complete the Tech Prep course and registration
requirements will qualify for college credit. Students should contact an advisor to see if their high school
learning can qualify them for Tech Prep college credit. For more information, call Seattle Community Colleges
Tech Prep at (206) 903-3222.
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High School to College Preparation Programs
Career Link Academy
| North |
(206) 528-4573 & (206) 527-3743 |
| South |
(206) 760-2286 x 3022 |
| SVI |
(206) 587-4935 |
The Career Link Academy provides full-time vocational training for youth 16 to 21. Participants work on their
academics related to vocational training and transition to college technical programs, or become employable.
Support for GED completion is provided, as well as open entry/open exit enrollment. The program features
career and education exploration, applied academics, short-term technical skills classes, work-based learning,
access to college technical programs and advising/ support services. There is no charge for tuition.
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Educational Talent Search
This program serves 600 students from middle and high school in south and west Seattle. Students explore
their options for colleges, universities, training programs and future careers.
The program provides academic support, test preparation assistance, personal counseling,
academic advising, and cultural activities. ETS provides students with opportunities to visit colleges
and offers assistance in applying for college, financial aid and scholarships.
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Upward Bound
| North |
(206) 527-3691 |
| South |
(206) 764-6676 |
Upward Bound, a program funded by the Department of Education, provides high school students with services
that support higher academic performance during high school. The goal is to maximize students’ potential for
graduation from high school and subsequent college enrollment.
The program works closely with students, parents, and the high schools to help guide each student in
developing a strong sense of self and in acquiring the tools necessary for a successful college experience.
Upward Bound provides personalized instruction in basic academic skills, science, foreign language, and
other arts and academic disciplines; personal counseling; academic advising; social and
cultural activities; and assistance in applying to colleges and for financial aid and scholarships.
The program includes spending six weeks on campus at either North or South during the summer for intensive
academic and college preparatory activities. North Seattle Community College hosts 50 high school students
from four area high schools: Franklin, Roosevelt, Summit K-12, and Indian Heritage Middle College. South
Seattle Community College hosts 50 high school students with disadvantaged backgrounds from Evergreen High
School and Tyee High School.
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| Central |
(206) 587-4180 |
| North |
(206) 527-7303 |
| South |
(206) 764-5363 |
Adults may demonstrate that they have reached an education level equal to a high school diploma by taking the
General Educational Development (GED) test.
To prepare for this test, the Seattle Community Colleges offer courses that cover the subjects tested, such as reading, writing,
mathematics, science and social studies. The course also covers the science and social studies skills
required to pass the test. The class stresses math for practical problem-solving, English usage, reading
comprehension and test-taking skills.
Ability to read at or above eighth grade level or completion of ABE Level 3 is required for students.
Students who pass the GED test earn a GED certificate, accepted by colleges, vocational programs, trade
unions, and many employers as equivalent to a high school diploma. Contact the college offices for fee
information. See page 220 for course descriptions under General Educational Development.
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| Central |
(206) 587-5408 |
| North |
(206) 527-7303 |
| South |
(206) 764-5805 |
High School Completion offers students who have not completed work for a high school diploma the opportunity
to earn the diploma through one of two options.
The basic requirements
for each of these options are listed below, but students planning to work toward a high school diploma
should obtain a copy of "Requirements for the High School Diploma” from the Admissions Office for complete
information.
According to Washington State Law (WAC 180-51-035): "A student shall have the right to graduate in accordance
with the standards in effect for the school of graduation for any year since such student commenced the ninth
grade unless more than ten years has passed since such entry. In such case, the student shall have the right to
graduate in accordance with the standards in effect for the school of graduation for any year within the last ten
years." A fee may be required.
GED test scores may not be substituted for college or high school credits. GED preparation course credits may be
approved for this program. Prerequisite: Qualifying score on the SLEP or BEST tests.
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Option A: Standard High School Diploma
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(90-95 college credits)
A high school diploma may be earned by completing 90-95 college credits, including required and approved
elective courses. Transfer credit may be approved for courses
completed at other institutions; the final course must be taken at one of the Seattle Community Colleges
and a minimum of 2.0 GPA must be achieved.
Students who have not completed high school and are age 19 or older may enroll in this option for a fee.
Students 18 or younger must pay tuition unless enrolled in a Running Start program through a participating
high school.
REQUIRED COURSES
Requirements may vary slightly from college to college. A number of other courses may be substituted for
these requirements. Obtain a copy of “Requirements for the High School Diploma” and advice from a
counselor or advisor at the college you plan to attend.
A 5-credit class equals one year of study in high school.
| Sophomore English (Composition I) |
5 |
| Junior English (Composition II) |
5 |
| Senior English (Composition III) |
5 |
| Fine Arts (Drama, Music –or– Art) |
5 |
| Pacific Northwest or Washington State History |
5 |
| U.S. History I |
5 |
| U.S. History II (Required at Central & South) |
5 |
| Contemporary World Problems, World History or World Geography |
5 |
| Mathematics Series
(Pre-Algebra, Algebra I or math class at student's placement level) |
10 |
| Science
(Two science courses, one of which must be a lab science,
for which prerequisites have been met) |
10 |
| Occupational Education
(May be chosen from any Professional/Technical courses) |
5 |
| Physical Education (May be waived with permission) |
2 |
| Health (Required at Central & South) |
5 |
| Approved Electives
(from college transfer or Professional /Technical courses;
quantity varies, depending on number of required courses) |
23 - 32 |
|
|
*Students who began ninth grade prior to July 1, 1987
are not required to complete the 5-credit Fine Arts requirement.
For those students, a total of 90 credits is required as follows: |
| Required credits |
usually 70 — 72 |
| Elective credits |
usually 23 — 25 |
Option B: Associate Degree Conversion Diploma
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NOTE: This option is not automatic, and procedures
vary from campus to campus.
Upon successful completion of the Associate of Arts
(A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree, and by
taking the following courses, the student may be
granted a high school diploma in addition to the A.A.
or A.S. degree.
| North: U.S. History I (5) and Washington State History
(or satisfaction of requirement) |
| South: U.S. History I (5) and II (5) and Washington State
History (or satisfaction of requirement) |
| Central: U.S. History I (5) and II (5) and Pacific
Northwest History |
SUBSTITUTING COURSES
Several pre-college transfer and college transfer courses may be substituted for required high school
courses. Students who want to earn college credit while fulfilling high school graduation requirements
should consult with the Advising Center or high school completion program director.
ELECTIVE COURSES
Elective courses may be selected from the high school completion program and the following areas:
vocational, general studies (liberal studies), college preparatory courses in math and English.
Work experience may also qualify for credit. Credits may be granted on proof of satisfactory
employment (405 hours = 1 high school credit or 5 college credits).
About the Tuition Waiver for High School Completion
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80% of the regular tuition is waived for students who fulfill the following criteria:
- Age 19 or older
- Resident of the State of Washington
To receive a tuition waiver, a student must submit an application for high school diploma completion.
If the student selects the associate's degree option, only the courses listed above for Option B
will be covered by the waiver.
Students 18 years old and younger
who have not graduated from high school must pay the regular tuition
fees for their courses unless they enroll in Running Start (see page 19). Non-residents will be charged
the resident tuition fee. These students must also be approved to attend one of the Seattle Community
Colleges by the Director of Admissions
or College underage Advisor and obtain a letter of release from
their school district. Seattle School District students should contact the Office of Student Placement.