Professional-Technical Programs

Looking for programs that involve "hands-on" learning?

We offer programs that involve "hands-on" learning with "real life" application through work-based learning, internships, and apprenticeships. In addition, many of our professional-technical degrees transfer to specific in-state baccalaureate programs and private universities.

Professional-Technical degrees and certificates are designed to provide entry into a technical or semi-professional occupation or additional training for those already working in a field but desiring advancement. Associate degrees differ from certificate programs by combining specific job skills with a breadth component. Associate degree programs are generally designed to be completed in six quarters of full-time study.

Professional-Technical Degrees and Certificates Available

Degree Options

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Olympic College offers AAS degrees in the subject areas of Computer Information Systems and Physical Therapist Assistant.

Associate in Applied Science—Transfer (AAS-T)

The AAS-T is built upon the technical courses required for job preparation but also includes a college-level general education component, common in structure for all such degrees. We offer AAS-T degrees in the subject areas of Early Childhood Education and Organizational Leadership and Resource Management.

Associate in Technical Arts (ATA)

ATA degree requirements may be met through two different options which may be interchanged to substitute qualifications in one option to meet corresponding requirements in another option at the discretion of the Dean of Workforce Development. See "Professional-Technical Degrees and Certificates Available" below for ATA degrees offered by Olympic College.

ATA Degree — Option One

Students should choose their program as early as possible and maintain frequent contact with an OC faculty advisor.

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 additional credits.
• Experience as a supervisor or instructor: 5 credits for the first year, 1 credit for each additional year to a maximum of 5 additional credits.
• Journey-level experience and credits from professional/technical courses from other colleges must be evaluated by the appropriate faculty member and the Dean of Workforce Development.

Degree Requirements

1. Students must complete 90 credits numbered 100 or above with a college-level GPA of at least 2.0.
2. Communications: English &101.
3. Quantitative: Mathematics 100 or above, or Business Management 140.
4. Social Sciences and Humanities: A minimum of one course in each area for a total of 15 credits is required. See the Distribution Requirements list to select appropriate courses.

Certificate Options

Certificate of Specialization (CS)

Provides training in a focused program in a specific occupational field and requires completing 61 to 89 credits.

Certificate of Proficiency (CP)

Provides dedicated training and requires 45 to 60 credits of specific courses.

Certificate of Completion (CC)

Provides focused training and requires 20 to 44 credits.

Certificate of Recognition (CR)

Provides training and requires 10 to 19 credits.

General Policies

Catalog Expiration - Students may graduate under any of the past eight years’ catalogs, if they were enrolled during the time the catalog was in effect, except that when a professional-technical program is discontinued, students must complete the program within three years.

Continuing Education - Credits may not be used in degrees or certificates.

Course substitutions - Substitutions must be approved by faculty in the professional-technical program, faculty in the subject for which the substitution is being made, and the responsible dean. No course numbered under 100 may be substituted for a course at the 100 level or higher. The Dean of Enrollment Services reviews substitution for procedure and policy requirements.

GPA - Cumulative college-level OC grade point average must be at least 2.0 for associate degrees. Cumulative OC grade point average must be at least 2.0 for certificates.

Multiple degrees - Students may simultaneously earn multiple degrees or certificates in different curricular programs at OC. Requirements for each degree must be met and the student must apply for each degree separately and pay for each separate degree application.

Pass/No Credit - Students may choose to have courses graded “Pass/No Credit” instead of the standard numerical grade, but no more than 30 credits of these courses may be counted toward the degree. (Courses offered only as “Pass/No Credit” are not included in this limit.)

Residency - At least 20 credits applied toward an associate degree must be earned at OC, including the last 10 credits, except with 85 or more OC credits, graduation requirements may be completed at another accredited institution. For certificates, at least 20% of the certificate’s credits must be earned at OC.

Advising Notes and Recommendations

Not all courses listed are offered every quarter. Please see an appropriate permanent advisor for course sequence and schedule details.

A faculty advisor must approve the program for degree/certificate completion. Applying for Graduation

Source: 2009-2010 Olympic College Catalog (Updated 9/09/09)