3 - Degrees & Certificates
Degrees & Certificates
Olympic College offers three distinct Associate Degrees:
In this section, basic requirements for each degree are listed under the name of each degree. Completing degree requirements can be complex, especially when considering how the degree credits might transfer to another college, what courses satisfy the “Distribution Requirements” and when selecting courses relating to the student’s chosen program and intended Degree application (transfer or vocational intent). For this reason, it is essential that each student establishes and maintains close contact with an Olympic College Advisor throughout the student’s Olympic College experience. The degree requirements listed here should be used as a guide; but the Olympic College advisor is a valuable ally in interpreting and updating this information.
General Requirements for All Degrees
In order to earn any degree from Olympic College the following requirements must be met:
All courses 195/295 and 199/299 will be evaluated individually.
Continuing Education credits may not be applied toward certificates or degrees.
If 85 or more credits are earned at Olympic College, the graduation requirements may be completed at another accredited institution. Military service personnel on active duty and their spouses may graduate under the Service-members’ Opportunity College Agreement.
It is possible for a student to request that a course be graded “Pass/No Credit”, instead of the normally applied grading policy. However, a maximum of 30 such credits will be accepted toward the total of 90 needed for the degree. (Courses offered for only a grade of Pass/No Credit are not included in the 30 credit maximum.)
Additional
Graduation Policies
Students may graduate under requirements set forth in any catalog issued during
their attendance at Olympic College; however, no catalog will be valid for a
period longer than eight (8) years.
Degrees are not automatically granted. Students must submit an Application for
Graduation (and pay the assigned, non-refundable fee) at the beginning of the
quarter in which they plan to graduate. Deadline dates to apply for graduation
are found on the academic calendar in the quarterly schedule of courses, and on
the Olympic College website.
It is possible to simultaneously earn multiple degrees or certificates in
different curricular programs at Olympic College. All requirements for each
degree must be met and the student must apply for each degree separately (and
pay for each separate application).
Inter-Collegiate
Transfer and Articulation Policy among Washington Colleges
The Inter-College Relations Commission (ICRC) has produced agreements that allow
students to transfer from Olympic College to a participating public or private
baccalaureate institution with maximum flexibility. Olympic College offers two
degrees which meet ICRC guidelines for direct transfer: the Associate in Arts
and Sciences (AAS) Degree and the Associate of Science (AS) Degree. Each of
these transfer degrees is offered in two unique themes: the AAS Degree has “Option
A” or “Option B”, the AS Degree has “Track 1” or “Track 2”. The
chosen degree and approach to that degree can have a dramatic influence on
admission status granted and credit transfer acceptance by the baccalaureate
college.
It is essential that students recognize their responsibility for understanding
the distinction between these two degrees, the specific paths to each degree,
and how these choices can affect their transfer to the baccalaureate
institution. Students are strongly encouraged to maintain ongoing and frequent
contact with an Olympic College advisor beginning early in the Olympic College
experience. Also, admission to a particular university or university program is
not assured. Ideally, the student with an Olympic College AAS or AS Degree might
be recognized as having junior status when transferring to the baccalaureate
institution. Usually, no more than 90 Olympic College credits will transfer and
no credits from courses numbered less than 100 will transfer. However, each
baccalaureate institution has separate admission criteria which can be based on
grades, prerequisite course work, test scores and other considerations. How many
credits will be accepted and what major-related requirements will be in place
are ultimately determined by the baccalaureate institution. Therefore, the
Olympic College transfer student is strongly encouraged to establish early and
repeated contact with the student’s choice of baccalaureate institutions).
ASSOCIATE
IN ARTS and SCIENCES (AAS) DEGREE
The objective of the Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree is to enable students
to transfer to one of the public or private colleges or universities in
Washington State that subscribes to the Intercollege Relations Committee (ICRC)
transfer and articulation policy. Generally, a student who completes the AAS
Degree will have satisfied the lower division general education requirements at
the baccalaureate institution. The AAS Degree meets communication and
quantitative skills requirements and provides academic breadth through
distribution requirements in the humanities, social sciences, and natural
sciences disciplines.
OPTION A:
Students who wish to earn an AAS and plan to transfer to one of the four-year
public or private colleges or universities in Washington State should consider
the AAS Degree, Option A. In addition to the general requirements for all
degrees, the following specific requirements and distribution requirements must
be met for the AAS Degree under Option A.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
Meet Communication Skills requirements by successfully completing English 101,
and EITHER English 102 OR English 104.
Satisfy Symbolic Reasoning/Quantitative Skills requirement by successfully
completing Math 107 or above, OR Philosophy 120. (Note: BS-EC 257 and BS-EC 258
can fulfill this requirement for Business Transfer students if so authorized in
writing by Business Transfer faculty.) ALSO, all students must demonstrate
mastery of Intermediate Algebra, either by satisfactory placement on
ASSET/COMPASS testing OR by completion of Intermediate Algebra with a grade of
2.0 or above OR by successful completion of a mathematics course for which
Intermediate Algebra or above is a prerequisite.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
A total of 50 credits in the distribution areas of Humanities, Social Sciences,
and Natural Sciences is required for the AAS Option A Degree. Students may apply
the 50 credits among the three distribution areas as follows:
20 credits in one distribution area from at least three (3) subjects (20/3);
15 credits in a second distribution area from at least three (3) subjects
(15/3); and
15 credits in the third distribution area from at least two (2) subjects (15/2).
The “Distribution Requirements” section (page 39) of this catalog lists
subjects in each distribution area and specific courses available to meet the
Distribution Requirements. It is strongly recommended that students discuss
their course selections with an advisor.
HUMANITIES (15-20 credits)
No more than 5 credits in the Humanities Skills/Performance area and no more
than five (5) credits in foreign languages may be used for the Humanities
distribution. No more than 10 credits from any one subject may be used. See the
Distribution Requirements section (page 39) to choose appropriate courses.
SOCIAL SCIENCES (15-20 credits)
No more than 10 credits from any one Social Science subject may be used for the
Social Sciences distribution. See the Distribution Requirements section to
choose appropriate courses.
NATURAL SCIENCES (15-20 credits)
At least 10 credits must be among physical, biological or earth sciences. At
least one laboratory science course must be included. No more than 12 credits
from any one Natural Sciences subject may be used. See the Distribution
Requirements section (page 39) to choose appropriate courses.
ELECTIVES
Courses numbered 100 or above which are not used in a specific requirement can
be counted as elective credits to make up the total of 90 credits needed to
complete the degree (typically, 25 elective credits are needed). However, no
more than 15 credits from the list of “Restricted Electives” (see
Distribution Requirements on page 39) can be applied to the degree. Students are
strongly encouraged to discuss course selection, including electives, with their
advisor.
Students who wish to follow the requirements for the first two years of study as specified by a four-year college or university of their choice should choose this option. The general requirements for all degrees must be met. In addition, the student must submit a plan of study, signed by an advisor, and the name of the four-year college or university to the Registrar, located on the first floor of the College Service Center, before completing 70 credits of 100 or above numbered courses at Olympic College. Changes in the plan may not be made without approval of the Registrar. Receiving a degree under OPTION B may not necessarily grant junior status at the four-year institution.
ASSOCIATE
OF SCIENCE (AS) DEGREE
The objective of the Associate of Science Degree is to prepare students aspiring
to upper division work in Engineering or Sciences with the lower division
science, math, and discipline-specific prerequisites needed for junior-level
program entry. The AS Degree meets communication and quantitative skills
requirements and provides limited academic breadth through distribution
requirements in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences
disciplines. Note that the Associate in Arts and Sciences Degree may be better
suited for transfer to certain baccalaureate institutions. Students are strongly
encouraged to meet with an academic faculty advisor early in their matriculation
at Olympic College to determine the degree most suitable for them. The advisor
can help the student maintain a checklist of required and completed courses
throughout the student’s attendance at Olympic College. This checklist, signed
by the student and the academic faculty advisor, must be submitted with the
graduation application at the appropriate time.
Note 1: Although courses in a foreign language are not required for the AS
Degree, some baccalaureate institutions may require two (2) or three (3)
quarters of foreign language for admission or graduation.
Note 2: All engineering and most scientific disciplines require more than 90
credits to achieve junior standing.
Note 3: A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required to be awarded the AS degree. The
University of Washington requires a minimum GPA of 2.75 to be admitted as a
junior. Admission to a specific department in the institution is competitive and
may require a GPA significantly higher than 2.75. Contact advisors at the
baccalaureate institution for details.
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE - TRACK
1:
Students planning to transfer to a baccalaureate institution in the disciplines
of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geology, Earth Sciences, or
Environmental/Resource Sciences, should consider the Associate of Science
Degree, Track 1. Students must complete the general requirements for all
degrees.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
REQUIRED SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS
A minimum of 38 credits in selected science and mathematics course is required.
Frequent and repeated contact with the academic faculty advisor (and careful
attention to the provided checklist) is absolutely imperative to avoid
frustration and delay in completing the degree. The required science and
mathematics courses are:
CHEM 140/141 General Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 150/151 General Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 160/161 General Inorganic Chemistry
MATH 126 Calculus and Analytic Geometry
or
MATH 281 Introductory Statistics
At least ONE of the following complete sequences,
carefully chosen in consultation with an advisor:
BIO 201 General Biology
BIO 202 General Biology
BIO 203 General Biology
or
CHEM 240/241 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 250/251 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 260/261 Organic Chemistry
or
PHYS 114 General Physics
PHYS 115 General Physics
PHYS 116 General Physics
or
PHYS 254 Engineering Physics
PHYS 255 Engineering Physics
PHYS 256 Engineering Physics
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
A minimum of one course in each area, and a minimum total of 15 credits are
required. Select courses from both the Humanities and Social Sciences areas of
the “Distribution Requirements” list (see page 39) in consultation with the
academic faculty advisor.
ELECTIVES
Elective courses are to be chosen with the guidance of an Olympic College
academic faculty advisor. No more than 5 credits of “restricted electives”
may be applied toward the AS Degree. Suggested elective courses are:
BIO 250 Anatomy and Physiology
BIO 251 Anatomy and Physiology
BIO 260 Microbiology
GEOL 101 Physical Geology
GEOL 102 Environmental Geology
GEOL 103 History of the Earth
MATH 176 Scientific Programming with C
MATH 210 Discrete Mathematics
MATH 220 Calculus and Analytic Geometry
MATH 221 Differential Equations
MATH 250 Linear Algebra
Note: Most scientific disciplines require more than 90 credits to achieve junior standing at a baccalaureate institution. Also, transfer GPA requirements can vary from one baccalaureate institution to another, and can change. Students intending to transfer to a baccalaureate institution should contact that school as early and frequently as possible to determine exact transfer requirements.
ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE - TRACK 2:
Students wishing to transfer to a
baccalaureate institution in the disciplines of Atmospheric Science, Computer
Science, Engineering, or Physics, should consider the Associate of Science
Degree, Track 2.
Students must complete the general requirements for all degrees.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
REQUIRED SCIENCE
CHEM 140/141 General Inorganic Chemistry
PHYS 254 Engineering Physics
PHYS 255 Engineering Physics
PHYS 256 Engineering Physics
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED MATHEMATICS
MATH 126 Calculus and Analytic Geometry
MATH 176 Scientific Programming with C
HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
A minimum of one course in each area, and a minimum total of 15 credits are
required. Select courses from both the Humanities and Social Sciences
distribution lists in consultation with the academic faculty advisor.
ELECTIVES
Elective courses are to be chosen with the guidance of an Olympic College
academic faculty advisor. No more than five (5) credits of “restricted
electives” may be applied toward the AS Degree. Suggested elective courses
are:
CHEM 150/151 General Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 160/161 General Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 240 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 250 Organic Chemistry
MATH 210 Discrete Mathematics
MATH 220 Calculus and Analytic Geometry
MATH 221 Differential Equations
MATH 250 Linear Algebra
MTEOR 101 Weather and Atmosphere
ENGR 100 Introduction to Engineering
ENGR 111 Engineering Problems
ENGR 123 Graphics for Engineers
ENGR 170/171 Material Science
ENGR 210 Engineering Mechanics – Statics
ENGR 215 Electrical Engineering Fundamentals
ENGR 220 Mechanics of Materials
ENGR 230 Engineering Mechanics –Dynamics
ENGR 260 Introduction to Thermodynamics
Note: All engineering disciplines and most scientific disciplines require more than 90 credits to achieve junior standing at a baccalaureate institution. Also, transfer GPA requirements can vary from one baccalaureate institution to another, and can change. Students intending to transfer to a baccalaureate institution should contact that school as early and frequently as possible to determine exact transfer requirements.
ASSOCIATE
IN TECHNICAL ARTS (ATA) DEGREE
The Associate in Technical Arts Degree is designed to provide entry into a
technical or semi-professional occupation, or additional training for those
already working in a field but desiring advancement. The ATA Degree differs from
a certificate program in that the ATA Degree combines a specific job skill
component with a breadth component. An ATA program is generally designed to be
completed in six (6) quarters of full-time study. The Associate in Technical
Arts Degree may be fulfilled through two different options. These two options
may be interchanged to substitute qualifications in one option to meet
corresponding requirements in another option at the discretion of the Dean for
Workforce Development.
Graduates of the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Apprentice Program may attain an ATA
Degree using the graduation requirements listed in any catalog under which they
were in attendance. (The usual eight-year limit on catalog life is suspended for
this program only.)
ATA DEGREE - OPTION ONE:
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete the general requirements for all degrees.
SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND
RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES
The courses required and recommended for the ATA Degree depend upon the program
chosen. Students should choose their program very early in their matriculation
at Olympic College. Early and frequent contact with an OC advisor is strongly
recommended. Required and recommended courses for each ATA program are listed in
the Professional/Technical Programs section of the catalog.
ATA
DEGREE - OPTION TWO:
Individuals who have journey status in a trade may earn credits toward the ATA
Degree in the following ways:
Experience at the journey level in an apprentice trade: 5 credits for the first
year, one credit for each additional year to a maximum of 5 credits.
Experience as a supervisor or instructor: 5 credits for the first year, one
credit for each additional year to a maximum of 5 credits.
Journey-level experience and credits from professional/technical courses from
other colleges must be evaluated by the appropriate faculty member and the Dean
for Workforce Development.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Students must complete the general requirements for all degrees.
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
A minimum of one course in each area and a minimum total of 15 credits are
required. See the “Distribution Requirements” (page 39) list to choose
appropriate courses.
SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND
RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES
The courses required and recommended for the ATA Degree depend upon the program
chosen. Students should choose their program very early in their matriculation
at Olympic College. Early and frequent contact with an Olympic College advisor
is strongly recommended. Required and recommended courses for each ATA program
are listed in the Professional/Technical Programs section of this catalog.
CERTIFICATE
REQUIREMENTS
All certificates require satisfactory completion of the approved courses as set
forth by the Instructional Policies Council and listed in Professional/Technical
Programs section of this catalog.
A minimum of 20% of the certificate’s credit requirement must have been earned
at Olympic College.
A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better is required for all
certificates.
Students may elect to a apply for a certificate under requirements set forth in
any catalog issued during their attendance at Olympic College; however, no
catalog will be valid for a period longer than eight (8) years.
To apply for a certificate, obtain an application form from the office of
Registration and Records or the Olympic College website, complete, and file by
the published deadline in the quarter of planned graduation. Official
transcripts from all colleges and universities must be on file BEFORE an
application will be processed. Consult the academic calendar printed in The View
or OC Website each quarter for specific filing deadlines. There is no charge to
apply for a certificate.
CERTIFICATE OF
RECOGNITION
Students who successfully complete an approved curriculum of 10 to 19
quarter credits may be awarded a Certificate of Recognition.
CERTIFICATE OF
COMPLETION
Students who successfully complete an approved curriculum of 20 to 44
quarter credits may be awarded a Certificate of Completion.
CERTIFICATE OF
PROFICIENCY
Students who successfully complete an approved curriculum of 45 to 60
quarter credits may be awarded a Certificate of Proficiency.
CERTIFICATE OF
SPECIALIZATION
Students who successfully complete an approved curriculum of 61 or more
quarter credits may be awarded a Certificate of Specialization.