Degrees and Certificates

Clark College awards six (6) degrees:

In addition, the college offers professional certificates in specialized areas of study. 

A student may earn more than one career-technical degree and/or certificate at Clark College, and a student may earn a combination of academic and career-technical degrees and/or certificates. A student can also earn a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) degree and an additional Major-Ready Pathway (MRP) degree (for instance, a student can earn a degree in both Business Administration – MRP and an Associate in Arts –Transfer).

Bachelor Degrees

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees are designed to stack on top of an existing associate degree, allowing students to build on their existing education and quickly gain valuable skills that will advance their careers. With the exception of the BAS in Dental Hygiene, students enter BAS programs as juniors and are able to earn their bachelor's degree in two years or less. 

Associate Degrees

Associate of Arts (AA)

The Associate in Arts (AA) degree is designed for students planning to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree program. The degree, in most cases, meets the first two (2) years of general education requirements at the senior institution. There are exceptions; please check with the transfer institution for additional information. Most students transferring with the AA degree will be granted junior standing upon entry to the senior institution.

The standard Associate in Arts degree is also known as a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) Associate degree. The AA-DTA is a statewide agreement between the Washington State community and technical colleges and Washington State public universities, as well as some private colleges and universities. The agreement outlines transferability of coursework and standing; in most cases students who have completed an AA-DTA will also have satisfied general education requirements at the baccalaureate institution and will have junior standing. Students should review their baccalaureate institution to see if they are part of the DTA in Washington State.

Associate of Fine Arts (AFA)

This transfer preparation degree is designed for students planning to transfer to a senior institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree program (BA or BFA) in Fine Arts. The degree programs focus on coursework specific to the intended major area of study at the senior institution. While coursework in general education, social sciences, and natural sciences is included, additional coursework in these areas will be required at the senior institution. It is important for students to meet with program-specific advisors to determine an appropriate educational plan. The AFA does NOT adhere to the direct-transfer agreement, so students need to be aware of requirements of the receiving senior institution. Currently, Clark College offers two (2) Associate in Fine Arts degrees: Graphic Design and Studio Art. Please contact the Art Department for advising information. 

Associate of Science Transfer (AST)

The transfer preparation degrees are designed for students planning to transfer to a senior institution to pursue a bachelor’s degree program in science and/or engineering. The degree programs focus on coursework specific to the intended major area of study at the senior institution. While coursework in general education, humanities, and Social Sciences is included, additional coursework in these areas will be required at the senior institution. It is important for students to meet with program-specific advisors to determine an appropriate educational plan. Within the AST there are differing requirements for an Associate of Science Transfer (AST), Associate of Science Track 2 (AST-2) and Associate of Science Track -2 (AST) that depend on your area of interest.

Career and Technical Degrees

The career and technical education degrees and certificates are designed for students interested in gaining specific technical career skills. Students focus on completing program-specific coursework, balanced by minimal general education courses. Although the Associate in Applied Science and the Associate in Applied Technology degree programs are not designed to guarantee transfer to a senior institution, some institutions may accept technical coursework for students in certain areas of study. Students should contact an advisor and/or the senior institution for additional information.

Associate in Applied Sciences (AAS)

Students must complete the courses listed in their career plan, plus electives as needed to meet the ninety (90) credit requirement. Most occupational programs require more than fifty-nine (59) credits of specific requirements.

Associate in Applied Technology (AAT)

Students must complete the courses listed in their career plan, plus electives as needed to meet the ninety (90) credit requirement. All Associate in Applied Technology degree programs require at least seventy-five (75) credits of major-related requirements.

Certificates

Certificate of Proficiency (CP)

Completion of a minimum of forty-five (45) credits of specialized occupational training, including general education requirements and require a minimum GPA of 2.00.

Certificate of Achievement (CA)

The Certificate of Achievement is designed for students who wish to receive specialized occupational training for a specialized career objective requiring less than forty-five (45) credits, but more than twenty (20) credits. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or better. Students are required to complete a minimum of ten (10) credits at Clark College to meet the Academic Residency requirement.

Certificate of Completion (CC)

The Certificate of Completion is designed for students who wish to gain entry-level skills or for those who wish to upgrade their skills in a short period of time. Certificates of Completion typically consist of three to four courses, requiring twenty (20) or less credits. They are awarded by the department with the approval of the program advisory committee and the Office of Instruction. The courses can be taken simultaneously or individually as your schedule allows. These certificates are not awarded a standard Clark College diploma.