Overview of Degrees and Certificates

Introduction Associate of Arts (AA) Associate of Science (AS) Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Certificate of Completion (CC) Certificate of Arts & Sciences (CAS) Certificate of Proficiency

Important Note: Students are responsible for knowing the degree requirements and for staying informed regarding changes in their degree requirements.

Highline Community College offers three degree and three certificate choices. Each has its own requirements and applications:

Importance of Advising. Advising is a critical element in the completion of any degree. Each student is strongly encouraged to identify a faculty adviser in his or her area of study as early as possible. For some degrees, adviser approval is required for completion of the degree. In addition, students pursuing the Associate of Science degree, with the aid of a faculty adviser, are responsible for checking specific major requirements of baccalaureate institutions in the year prior to transfer.

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Associate of Arts (AA)   (See planning sheets for guidance.)
The Associate of Arts degree is intended to prepare students to transfer to bachelor’s degree programs in a wide variety of fields. The AA degree corresponds to the first two years of a four-year baccalaureate degree program. Most transfer students plan to earn this degree. Its emphasis is general, and it is designed to give a broad educational background for students who wish to transfer to a university. It is best suited to students whose major area is in the arts and/or social sciences. At Highline, the Associate of Arts degree is offered in two options.

Associate of Arts, Option A: 
This degree is designed to satisfy the lower-division general requirements at the many Washington colleges and universities that recognize Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) of the Inter-College Relations Commission (ICRC). As such, it is designed to satisfy the freshman and sophomore general education requirements of most four-year colleges and universities in Washington and other states. It is important to work out the exact requirements of transfer with an adviser because programs change from time to time.

Associate of Arts, Option B:
This degree is a specialized transfer degree, individually designed to meet the requirements for certain majors at specific colleges and universities. It does not meet the requirements of the Inter-College Relations Commission (ICRC). In order to plan this degree program, it is essential to know both the major and college or university to be attended. Students must work closely with their adviser.

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Associate of Science (AS) (See planning sheets for guidance.)
The Associate of Science degree is intended to prepare students for transfer in science, mathematics, and other preprofessional fields. The degree is recognized by the Inter-College Relations Commission  (ICRC). At Highline, the Associate of Science is available in the following disciplines:

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) 
The Associate of Applied Science degree is designed primarily to prepare students for successful employment in a professional or technical area. Though some transfer options are available to holders of the Associate of Applied Science, the degree is not intended to transfer. Highline offers Associate of Applied Science degrees in a variety of fields.  See the list of Professional-Technical programs for more information.

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Certificate of Completion (CC)
The college awards a Certificate of Completion to each student who completes a professional-technical education program requiring a minimum of 45 credits. Each program consists of at least three quarters and has specific requirements. Students must complete at least one-half of the required credits at Highline with an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.  See the list of Professional-Technical programs for more information.

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Certificate of Arts and Sciences (CAS)
A student who wishes to earn a certificate in academic transfer studies (45 credits) for personal reasons, as a specific educational goal, in preparation for an AA degree, or for transfer to a university, may complete the Certificate of Arts and Sciences. The CAS is not intended as a substitute for the AA degree and does not carry with it the benefits of the AA degree as defined by the Washington Inter-College Relations Commission (ICRC) Articulation Agreement.

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Certificate of Proficiency
The college may award a Certificate of Proficiency to a student who completes up to 44 credits in short-term training programs. These programs include at least three quarters of study and have specific requirements.

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