Baccalaureate Degrees
Minimum 180 credits
Columbia Basin College offers two baccalaureate degree types: Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) and Bachelor of Science (BS). The BAS degrees are offered in Applied Management (with optional concentrations in Agriculture or Healthcare Administration), Community Health, Cyber Security, Dental Hygiene, Health Physics, Software Development, Project Management (with an optional concentration in Construction), Respiratory Therapy, and Teacher Education (with early childhood education endorsement). The Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in Nursing and Computer Science.
Many two-year (AA, AS, AAS) degree-holders have reached a plateau in their career, unable to advance because they cannot meet the bachelor’s degree requirements needed for many supervisory positions. The Washington State Legislature authorized the community college baccalaureate program to increase access to bachelor’s degrees for Washington citizens. In particular, AAS graduates whose credits are generally non-transferable to four-year institutions can pursue these degrees without having to start their college education from scratch, allowing full-time students to complete the upper-level degree in approximately two years.
All BAS and BS degrees offered at CBC are approved by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Students pursuing a BAS or BS degree must complete a minimum of 180 college-level course credits, which includes a minimum number of upper-level (300 and 400) course credits and general education course credits specified by each program.
Associate Degrees
Upper-level (300 and 400) course credits may not be used to satisfy associate degree requirements
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Minimum 90 credits
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is earned by students who complete a prescribed two-year professional/technical program. Thirty-three percent of required degree credits must be earned at Columbia Basin College. The AAS degree is not designed for transfer, although some classes may be accepted for transfer by baccalaureate degree institutions. For degree requirements, students should work closely with their completion coach.
Associate in Arts and Sciences (AA/DTA)
90 credits
The Associate in Arts and Sciences (AA) degree is a direct transfer agreement (DTA) designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution after completing the first two years of study at CBC. This degree meets the Inter-college Relations Commission (ICRC) guidelines for direct transfer degrees. If admitted to an institution subscribing to these guidelines, the degree holder will be granted junior status and will have fulfilled most of the lower-division general education requirements of baccalaureate degree programs offered by many public and independent colleges and universities in Washington state. Students are encouraged to meet with their completion coaches early in their academic planning to review the degree options listed below and design a plan that best fits their educational and transfer goals.
Associate in Arts and Sciences in Biology (AA/DTA/MRP)
90 credits
The Associate in Arts and Sciences in Biology degree is a direct transfer agreement (DTA), created to aid students interested in transferring into a biology program at a number of baccalaureate institutions. This degree is intended to ensure that graduates of Columbia Basin College are as well-prepared as their counterparts at four-year colleges. The transferability of this degree is backed by a statewide articulation agreement. This degree will fulfill the general education requirements at the public Washington state transfer institutions. Apart from the requirements embedded within the degree, it is recommended that students check specific requirements of their intended transfer schools.
Associate in Arts and Sciences in Business (AA/DTA/MRP)
90 credits
As a result of the work by members of the Washington community and technical college system and public baccalaureate institutions, the Major Related Program (MRP) agreements were developed. These direct transfer agreements (DTA) place transfer students from community colleges on comparable footing with direct entry counterparts at four-year institutions within Washington state. Students who complete the requirements for an MRP will have satisfied the lower division general education (or core) requirements and lower division math and science requirements to the same extent as direct-entry university students pursuing similar goals.
Associate in Arts and Sciences in Computer Science (AA/DTA/MRP)
90 credits
The Associate in Arts and Sciences in Computer Science degree is a direct transfer agreement (DTA), created to aid students interested in transferring into a computer science program at a number of baccalaureate institutions. This degree is intended to ensure that graduates of Columbia Basin College are as well-prepared as their counterparts at four-year colleges. The transferability of this degree is backed by a statewide articulation agreement. This degree will fulfill the general education requirements at the public Washington state transfer institutions. Apart from the requirements embedded within the degree, it is recommended that students check specific requirements of their intended transfer schools.
Associate in Arts and Sciences in Math Education (AA/DTA/MRP)
90 to 92 credits
The Associate in Arts and Sciences in Math Education degree is a direct transfer agreement (DTA), created to aid students interested in careers as secondary math or science teachers. Future secondary teachers must pursue a major in their field as well as fulfill entrance requirements into a school of education. As a result, there is little room for electives. This degree is intended to ensure that graduates of Columbia Basin College are as well-prepared as their counterparts at four-year colleges. The transferability of this degree is backed by a statewide articulation agreement with teacher-training universities. This degree fulfills the general education requirements at the public Washington state transfer institutions. Apart from the requirements embedded within the degree, it is recommended that students check specific requirements of their intended transfer schools. This is especially true for the area of field experience, since teacher certification institutions vary in terms of the quality and quantity of experience required.
Associate in Arts and Sciences in Pre-Nursing (AA/DTA/MRP)
Minimum 90 credits
The Associate in Arts and Sciences in Pre-Nursing degree is a direct transfer agreement (DTA), created for individuals drawn to a nursing career or healthcare professionals seeking to advance their education. This degree creates a streamlined pathway to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at four-year universities in Washington state, and is specifically crafted for transfer students.
The 90-credit degree program instills students with fundamental knowledge in English, psychology, mathematics and science, strategically designed to prepare them for entry into select pre-licensure Nursing programs as a junior. Emphasizing individualized guidance, students collaborate with dedicated completion coaches to select suitable courses and satisfy degree requirements.
Upon fulfilling the degree requirements, graduates may explore transfer options to esteemed Washington state institutions, including the University of Washington, Washington State University, Pacific Lutheran University, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle University and Walla Walla University. However, it's crucial to note that while this degree offers a stepping-stone, it does not guarantee admission to any baccalaureate university or eligibility to sit for the Registered Nurse National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
The completion of a BSN degree at a university is necessary to become a Registered Nurse. It's essential for students to work with a transfer advisor at their intended institution to understand specific admission requirements. Moreover, students need to remain abreast of potential curriculum changes by regularly consulting with the Nursing department or completion coach.
The Associate in Arts and Sciences in Pre-Nursing (AA/DTA/MRP) degree at Columbia Basin College lays a robust foundation for aspiring nursing students, marking the commencement of a promising journey in the rewarding field of nursing.
Associate in Science (AS)
Minimum 90 credits
The Associate in Science (AS) degree is a local transfer degree designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year program at CBC or at an institution with which CBC has an articulation agreement after completing the first two years of study at CBC. If admitted to a program at an institution with an articulation agreement, the degree holder will have fulfilled most of the lower-division general education requirements of baccalaureate degree program offered by that college or university, and their class standing will be determined by the articulation agreement. Students are encouraged to meet with their completion coaches early in their academic planning to review the degree options and design a plan that best fits their educational and transfer goals.
Associate in Science-Transfer (AS-T)
Minimum 90 credits
The Associate in Science Transfer (AS-T) degree is based upon an agreement between CBC and many colleges and universities in the state of Washington. This degree is an efficient, pre-designed educational path for students who wish to complete a baccalaureate program in several of the science fields. The AS-T will not substitute for many of the general university requirements, but will allow CBC students to enter a participating four-year college or university with 90 credits, junior standing and the majority of major prerequisites completed. Students completing the degree must be prepared to complete any remaining general education requirements along with remaining program or graduation requirements during their junior or senior year of academic study.
There are two tracks to this degree. One track is for students majoring in biological sciences, environmental sciences, chemistry, geology or earth science. The second track is designed for students majoring in engineering, physics or atmospheric sciences. Both tracks are part of a transfer agreement, which includes priority admission for resident transfer students to any of the state-funded baccalaureate institutions.
Associate in Science – Transfer, Track 2 (AS-T2/MRP) in Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering
95 to 101 credits
This degree is designed for students intending to transfer into bachelor’s programs in bioengineering, chemical engineering or related fields such as biomass resource science. It provides strong foundational coursework in calculus, physics, chemistry (including organic chemistry and biology options) and core engineering principles such as thermodynamics. Students should work closely with their completion coach to select specialization courses aligned with their intended major and transfer institution. Successful completion of this AST-2/MRP positions students to enter their chosen university prepared for the rigors of upper-division engineering coursework.
Associate in Science – Transfer, Track 2 (AS-T2/MRP) in Civil and Mechanical Engineering
105 to 108 credits
This degree prepares students for transfer into civil, mechanical, environmental, aeronautical or industrial engineering programs. It features a robust curriculum in calculus, physics, chemistry and essential engineering courses such as statics, dynamics and mechanics of materials. Students also choose from a selection of targeted specialization courses—like thermodynamics and advanced calculus—in consultation with their completion coach to ensure compatibility with their intended university program. If admitted to receiving institution, AST-2/MRP graduates of this pathway enter their bachelor’s programs with junior standing and most lower-division prerequisites completed.
Certificates
Upper-level (300 and 400) course credits may not be used to satisfy certificate requirements
One-Year Certificate
45 to 89 credits
Certificate programs are designed to provide recognition for students who have not completed an Associate in Applied Science degree but are interested in training and instruction in specialized areas. One-Year Certificates incorporate specific general education requirements, as well as the core course content. Students earning a One-Year Certificate with 45 to 89 credits are eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony and may qualify for honors designation. Not all certificates are eligible for financial aid. Please check the Graduation Application webpage for current information.
Certificate
20 to 44 credits
Certificate programs are designed to provide recognition for students who have not completed an Associate in Applied Science degree but are interested in training and instruction in specialized areas. Certificates contain the core course content but do not contain the requisite number of general education credits. Students earning a Certificate with 20 to 44 credits do not qualify for honors designation. Not all certificates are eligible for financial aid. Please check the Graduation Application webpage for current information.
Short-Term Certificate
0 to 19 credits
Short-term certificates recognize students’ mastery of information and skills important to employment and career advancement. Students earning a Short-Term Certificate with 0 to 19 credits do not qualify for honors designation. Short-term certificates are not eligible for financial aid.