Associate's Degree and University Transfer - Home

Associate's Degrees

Below you can find the associate and university transfer degrees offered at Pierce College You can find more indepth information in the catalog.

To help keep track of your credits, also download the Associate of Arts Worksheet and the Educational Planner Worksheet.

Associate's Degrees

The Associate of Arts (AA-DTA) is for liberal arts transfer students. It is also sometimes known as the DTA Associate degree. These degrees can be tailored to your university of choice.

The Associate of Science (AS-T) is for science transfer students and is offered on two tracks, depending on the field of study.

University Transfer

Get your first two years of college done the easy, affordable way at Pierce College.

A university transfer degree from Pierce College satisfies the first two years of coursework required at four-year colleges and universities, but at a fraction of the cost.

Plus, you'll enjoy smaller class sizes, individual attention from instructors, and the convenience of a campus close to home.

Completion of any of the two-year degrees listed below allows transfer to any public four-year college in Washington. It is also possible to tailor your degree for transfer to the school of your choice.

Get a jumpstart on a bachelor's degree and beyond at Pierce College today!

For a detailed explanation of the university transfer process at Pierce College, as well as online and other transfer resources, see the Step-by-Step University Transfer Process.

Direct Transfer Degrees

Direct transfer agreements (DTA) are also available in specific fields. These degrees satisfy the lower division general education (core) requirements and lower division degree-related requirements of four-year institutions.

Understanding Transfer Requirements

Transfer requirements vary by university, so it's helpful to choose your transfer destination early. Review the requirements for your intended four-year school (transfer guides) from several local universities, as well as the requirements specific to your planned major. Then, meet regularly with your Pierce College advisor to ensure you're on track with those requirements.

Remember, your Pierce College advisor is here to help you get the courses you need to achieve your goals. They will work closely with you throughout your time at Pierce.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board defines policy for courses accepted for transfer at Washington's public colleges and universities. Admissions deadlines and requirements for public four-year colleges and private four-year colleges are available on our Web site, but students are asked to double-check those requirements with the university to ensure accuracy.

For more information, talk to your faculty advisor, visit a Pierce College advising center, or speak to an admissions officer from the four-year institution to which you plan to transfer.

Also, see Pierce College's University Transfer News and Resources blog for more information.

Requirements for All Transfer Degrees

While Pierce College allows students to earn more than 90 credits, some four-year institutions may allow no more than 90 credits to apply to your chosen field of study. Be sure to check with the four-year institution to determine their specific policy. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their courses are acceptable for transfer.

College preparatory courses, as well as those numbered below 100, are not acceptable for transfer.

Partner College Benefits for Students and Alumni

Pierce College has partnered with Central Washington University, Brandman University, Capella University, and Kaplan University to provide reduced-cost online degree options to students and alumni.

  • Central Washington University: Pierce College has partnered with Central Washington University (CWU) to develop a Dual Admission Program, which gives Pierce students access to resources at both Pierce College and CWU during their academic career. This allows students to be better prepared to transition into a baccalaureate program. Additionally, the CWU $50 admission application fee is waived. Find more information at http://www.cwu.edu/admissons/dual-admission.
  • Capella University: Earn your bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a number of fields and receive a 10 percent tuition discount as well as a waive of their application fees. You can contact Capella University at their web site at www.capella.edu/pierce. Or, call a Capella enrollment counselor at (888) 642-0289.
  • Brandman University: Earn your bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a number of fields and receive a 10 percent tuition discount as well as a waive of their application fees. To learn more, visit the Brandman University Web site at brandman.edu/eap/Pierce. Or, call a Brandman enrollment counselor at (800) 775-0102.
  • Kaplan University: You can contact Kaplan University at their website at cc.kaplan.edu or contacting an admissions counselor at (866) 582-9512 or view their video.

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