Whatcom Community College

Accounting

The accounting AAS degree provides students with basic skills to compete for entry-level accounting positions in private industry, state and local government, and public accounting firms. Graduates can perform basic bookkeeping and accounting tasks both manually and using a computer, demonstrate the relationships among the various business functions, and demonstrate computer proficiency.

Accounting

This certificate offers the range of clerical and accounting skills needed to perform full-charge bookkeeping tasks for a small business accurately and efficiently. Employees in this position will use both manual and computerized systems, and will work under the supervision of an accountant.

Accounting: Government/Not-for-Profit Accounting

This short-term certificate provides additional specialized knowledge in the area of governmental and not-for-profit accounting methods for the skilled worker. Coursework may be applied towards a one-year certificate in accounting or a two-year AAS degree in accounting.

Accounting: Individual Income Tax

This short-term certificate provides additional specialized knowledge in the area of individual income tax methods for the skilled worker. Coursework may be applied towards a one-year certificate in accounting or a two-year AAS degree in accounting.

Accounting: Payroll Accounting

This short-term certificate provides additional specialized knowledge in the area of payroll accounting methods for the skilled worker. Coursework may be applied towards a one-year certificate in accounting or a two-year AAS degree in accounting.

Accounting: QuickBooks

This short-term certificate provides additional specialized knowledge in the area of QuickBooks accounting methods for the skilled worker. Coursework may be applied towards a one-year certificate in accounting or a two-year AAS degree in accounting.

Applied Business Management

Whatcom Community College's BAS degree in applied business management is designed to train students to be able to work in the variety of small- to medium-sized businesses that make up the majority of Whatcom County's employers, as well as those preparing to start their own businesses. Students focus on areas of management including marketing, finance, strategic planning, human resource management, project management, leadership, and professional and organizational communications.

Arts and Sciences

The associate in arts and sciences - direct transfer agreement (AAS-DTA) is designed primarily for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university with junior status. The AAS-DTA degree requires completion of 90 credits within specified distribution areas and is accepted as fulfillment of the general university requirements by Washington state four-year institutions.

Associate in Science-Transfer to Biological, Environ/Resource, Chemistry, Geology and Earth Sciences

Atmospheric Sciences

The associate in science-transfer (AS-T) degree is an efficient, pre-designed educational path for students who wish to complete a baccalaureate program in a science field. This list of courses is appropriate for students studying atmospheric sciences and satisfies the requirements for the AS-T track 2 degree.

Bachelor of Science- Computer Science

Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering

Engineering programs at four-year colleges and universities require extensive preparatory coursework in order to be eligible for direct admission into a selective entry program. This major-ready pathway prepares students for one or more of the following majors: bioengineering; chemical engineering; bioresource science and engineering.

Biology

The associate in science-transfer degree allows WCC students to enter a participating four-year college or university with 90 credits, junior standing, and the majority of major prerequisites completed. This list of courses is appropriate for students studying biology and satisfies the requirements for the AS-T track 1 degree.

Business

The associate in business (DTA/MRP) degree is a statewide articulated 90 credit transfer degree agreement for business majors between the community colleges and most four-year institutions. Students will enter the four-year institution's business department at the junior level, however admission is not guaranteed.

Business Administration

The business administration AAS degree provides a core of fundamental business courses combined with ample flexibility in elective choices to allow students to concentrate study in their business area of choice. It prepares students in entrepreneurship to start their own business, and/or to gain the technical and professional skills needed for office management, marketing, retail and other business professions.

Business: Retail Business Management

WCC's Retail Business Management certificate prepares industry professionals with the skills needed to advance in their careers. The coursework provides relevant education for all retail sectors as well as non-retail management career paths.

Business: Retail Management

WCC's Retail Management certificate of proficiency was approved by and aligns directly with WAFC's requirements. This program prepares retail workers with the knowledge, skills, abilities, and confidence needed to advance in their careers.

Certificate CP - Cloud Computing 10 Credits

Certificate CP - Industrial Control Systems - SCADA 10 Credits

Certificate CP - Mobile Technologies 10 Credits

Certificate CP: UAS Fleet Management

Certificate CP - Web Development 15 Credits

Certificate of Proficiency - Accounting for A/P, A/R and Inventory 20 Credits

Certificate of Proficiency - Clerical Assistant 31 Credits

Certificate of Proficiency - Governmental/Not-for-Profit Accounting 20 Credits

Certificate of Proficiency - Individual Income Tax 20 Credits

Certificate of Proficiency - Investments 25 Credits

Certificate of Proficiency - Money and Banking 25 Credits

Certificate of Proficiency - Networking

Certificate of Proficiency - Parenting Education 18 Credits

Certificate of Proficiency - Quickbooks 18 Credits

Certificate of Proficiency - Retail Management 38 Credits

Certificate of Proficiency - State Short Earlychildhood Education Certificate Administration 20 Cr

Certificate of Proficiency - State Short Earlychildhood Education Certificate Family Child Care 20Cr

Chemistry

The associate in science-transfer degree is based on an agreement between Whatcom Community College and many colleges and universities in Washington state. This list of courses is appropriate for students studying chemistry and satisfies the requirements for the AS-T track 1 degree.

Civil and Mechanical Engineering

This engineering major-ready pathway provides students with the preparation required for direct admission into selective entry engineering programs at transfer institutions. Specialization courses prepare students for one or more of the following majors: aeronautical engineering; civil engineering; environmental engineering; industrial engineering; mechanical engineering.

Computer and Electrical Engineering

This engineering major-ready pathway provides students with the preparation required for a variety of engineering majors at transfer institutions. Specialization courses prepare students for one or more of the following majors: computer engineering; electrical engineering.

Computer Information Systems

The computer information systems degree prepares students for employment in a variety of fields, including technical support/help desk positions, network administration, network technician, and information security specialist. Students with prior experience are encouraged to meet with the program coordinator for placement in the program.

Computer Information Systems: Cloud Computing

This short-term certificate provides specialized knowledge in the area of cloud computing. Students will learn to design and implement a cloud infrastructure and manage storage services, covering cloud based storage, virtualization, service oriented architecture, high availability, scaling, and mobile devices.

Computer Information Systems: Cloud Computing Security

This short-term certificate prepares students with foundational cloud administration and cloud security skills necessary to apply best practices to cloud architecture, design and more.

Computer Information Systems: Data Utilization

This certificate prepares students with skills in database design and synthesizing data for business application. Students will also gain foundational data analysis skills that include introductory concepts and terminology in machine learning.

Computer Information Systems: Industrial Controls Systems-SCADA

Students will learn how to evaluate and configure cyber physical systems including embedded system architectures, design, plan, and implement an Industrial Control Systems network and analyze and mitigate security issues in an ICS network.

Computer Information Systems: Mobile Technologies

Students will learn to evaluate the hardware, communications, management, and programming environments associated with mobile technologies and to design a supply chain including all of the components. Students will learn about security issues unique to these types of networks and how to mitigate risk.

Computer Information Systems: Network Administration

This CIS certificate prepares students to work as network administrators, performing network support. Coursework covers operating systems, computer security, network security and Cisco networking.

Computer Information Systems: Networking

This certificate of proficiency prepares students with the foundational networking concepts and skills necessary to fulfill the requirements of a networking technician role.

Computer Information Systems: Technical Support

This CIS certificate prepares students to work as technical support specialists, performing hardware and software support and basic network support.

Computer Information Systems: Unmanned Aircraft Systems

This certificate of proficiency will prepare students to safely pilot an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), while adhering to applicable FAA regulations, limitations, flight operation, as well as the different methods to perform image capture. Students will apply machine learning concepts to UAS mapping data.

Computer Information Systems: Unmanned Aircraft Systems Fleet Management

Prepares students to support, operate, maintain and manage a fleet of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Equips students with the required FAA flight and safety regulations when operating a UAS.

Computer Information Systems: Web Development

Prepares students to develop and maintain a web site, incorporate e-commerce and database components into a web site and employ appropriate security measures.

Criminal Justice

The criminal justice certificate is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills for entry level positions in the criminal justice field. The program also offers opportunities for current criminal justice employees to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Criminal Justice

The criminal justice program is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills for entry level positions in the criminal justice field - law enforcement, the courts, and corrections, as well as the private security sector. The program also offers opportunities for current criminal justice employees to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Criminal Justice-Computer Forensics

The criminal justice program is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills for entry level positions in the criminal justice field. This degree option combines the criminal justice core with computer literacy, operating systems, computer security and computer forensics coursework.

Cybersecurity

WCC's cybersecurity AAS-T program prepares students to transfer to four-year degree programs at certain colleges and universities in a variety of high-demand security-related fields including cybersecurity, computer information systems security, computer forensics, information assurance, information security engineering, and information security analysis.

Early Childhood Education (AAS)

The early childhood education associate in applied science degree prepares students for immediate employment working with children as family home child care providers or assistant teachers. This degree aligns with Washington state core competencies for early care and education professionals Level 3.

Early Childhood Education (AAS-T)

The early childhood education degree prepares students for careers in early learning, caring for and teaching children birth through age 8 in child care programs, preschools, and publicly supported programs such as Head Start. Graduates meet Washington's Level 3 state competencies for early care and education professionals and NAEYC ECE associate degree standards, and can transfer to 4-year universities offering BA degrees in ECE.

Early Childhood Education: Administration

The second of two stackable certificates of proficiency aligned with Washington state core competencies for early care and education professionals. Level 2 competencies are taught and assessed, enabling individuals to hold lead teacher positions with a specialty in administration.

Early Childhood Education: Family Child Care

The second of two stackable certificates of proficiency aligned with Washington state core competencies for early care and education professionals. Level 2 competencies are taught and assessed, enabling individuals to hold lead teacher positions with a specialty in family child care.

Early Childhood Education: General

The second of two stackable certificates of proficiency aligned with Washington state core competencies for early care and education professionals. Level 2 competencies are taught and assessed, enabling individuals to hold lead teacher positions.

Early Childhood Education: Home Visitor/Family Engagement

The second of two stackable certificates of proficiency aligned with Washington state core competencies for early care and education professionals. Level 2 competencies are taught and assessed, enabling individuals to hold lead teacher positions with a specialty in home visiting.

Early Childhood Education: Infants and Toddlers Care

The second of two stackable certificates of proficiency aligned with Washington state core competencies for early care and education professionals. Level 2 competencies are taught and assessed, enabling individuals to hold lead teacher positions with a specialty in infant/toddler care.

Early Childhood Education: Outdoor Learning

The second of two stackable certificates of proficiency aligned with Washington state core competencies for early care and education professionals. Level 2 competencies are taught and assessed, enabling individuals to hold lead teacher positions with a specialty in outdoor learning.

Early Childhood Education: School Age Care

The second of two stackable certificates of proficiency aligned with Washington state core competencies for early care and education professionals. Level 2 competencies are taught and assessed, enabling individuals to hold lead teacher positions with a specialty in school age care.

Early Childhood Education (State Certificate)

The third of three stackable certificates. The early childhood education program prepares students for careers working with children in early learning and care programs, Head Start, preschools, childcare centers and homes. Competencies are developed for assistant teacher positions Step 7 on the Washington state career lattice for early care and education professionals.

Early Childhood Education: State Initial Certificate

The first of three stackable certificates, aligned with step 5 of Washington State's career lattice for early care and education professionals. Level 2 core competencies are taught and assessed, enabling assistant teachers to move to lead teacher positions in licensed child care centers.

Earth Sciences

The associate in science-transfer degree prepares students to complete a baccalaureate program in a science field. This list of courses is appropriate for students studying earth sciences and satisfies the requirements for the AS-T track 1 degree.

Environmental Science

The associate in science-transfer degree prepares students to enter a participating four-year college or university with junior standing in a science field. This list of courses is appropriate for students studying environmental science and satisfies the requirements for the AS-T track 1 degree.

Finance

The finance AAS degree prepares students for careers in finance and the financial services industry. The degree is designed for individuals who want training in income taxation, finance, money and banking, and investments.

Finance: Investments

This short-term certificate provides additional specialized knowledge in the area of investments for the skilled worker. Coursework may be applied towards a two-year AS degree in finance.

Finance: Money and Banking

This short-term certificate provides additional specialized knowledge in the area of money and banking for the skilled worker. Coursework may be applied towards a two-year AS degree in finance.

Finance: Principles of Finance

This short-term certificate provides additional specialized knowledge in the area of finance for the skilled worker. Coursework may be applied towards a two-year AS degree in finance.

General Engineering

This degree is more general in scope than the other engineering MRP degrees offered and is suitable for transfer preparation for a university engineering program that does not align well with one of the major-ready pathways. It is suited to a few select programs at some private universities in-state as well as many out-of-state options.

Geology

The associate in science-transfer degree is an efficient, pre-designed educational path toward a baccalaureate program in a science field. This list of courses is appropriate for students studying geology and satisfies requirements for the AS-T track 1 degree.

Hospitality and Tourism Business Management

This certificate prepares students with the skills and knowledge to enter the hospitality industry and increase opportunities for advancement to mid-management positions. Coursework covers hotel operations, meeting and event planning, food and beverage management, and sales and marketing.

Hospitality and Tourism Business Management

The hospitality and tourism business management associate in science degree provides a core of common business courses combined with specialized topics in hospitality and tourism. This degree prepares students to enter the hospitality industry with the skills and knowledge to grow in the field and increase opportunities for advancement to mid-management positions.

IT Networking-Cybersecurity

The computer information systems BAS degree prepares students for common networking administration challenges as well as those that occur in key industry sectors that require specific focused expertise. Graduates will be prepared to enter the workforce as network administrators and related job categories, such as computer and information systems manager or computer network architect.

Legal Interpretation

The Legal Interpretation Certificate Program is designed to develop participants' skills necessary to provide accurate, ethical, and culturally competent interpretation in courtrooms, legal aid organizations, and government agencies and to assist in preparing students for state credentialing exams. Students need to demonstrate proficiency in English and one additional language.

Liberal Studies

The associate in liberal studies degree is designed primarily for students who do not plan to pursue a specific technical or academic emphasis or transfer to a four-year institution but who wish to receive recognition for completion of 90 credits of general arts and sciences college-level learning.

Massage Therapist

The massage therapist certificate prepares students to work as licensed massage therapists (LMTs). As members of the health care community, they work in a variety of settings including hospitals, sports medicine clinics, medical and physical therapy offices/clinics, health clubs, spas, and private massage clinics. Program graduates are eligible to sit for state and national licensure exams.

Materials Science and Manufacturing Engineering

This engineering major-ready pathway provides students with the preparation required for direct admission into selective entry engineering programs. Specialization courses prepare students for one or more of the following majors: materials science and engineering; manufacturing engineering; plastics and composites engineering.

Medical Assisting

The medical assisting degree prepares students to perform a broad range of administrative and clinical tasks under the supervision of a physician/provider in a doctor's office or other medical setting. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and requires a special application process.

Medical Assisting

The medical assisting certificate prepares students to perform a broad range of administrative and clinical tasks under the supervision of a physician/provider in a doctor's office or other medical setting. Upon graduating, students are eligible to take a national certification exam to become certified medical assistants with the CMA (AAMA) credential.

Music

WCC's associate in music (DTA/MRP) is a statewide-articulated transfer degree designed for students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university music program. The curriculum prepares students with coursework in music theory and aural skills, keyboard skills, performance and applied instruction, as well as core college requirements.

Nursing

The purpose of the nursing degree is to educate students to practice professional nursing within varied health care settings in collaboration with other members of the health care team, and to assist individuals who are experiencing health care problems to progress toward optimal health and wellness. The program prepares students to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Admission is by selective entry application.

Nursing Assistant

This comprehensive training course prepares students to take the state Nursing Assistant Certification exam and provides awareness of the role of the nursing assistant in nursing care. Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis once complete application materials are received.

Office Administration

This certificate prepares the student to be skilled in the job duties relating to the front office professional. Interpersonal, organizational, and technical skills are addressed to meet the demands for both small and large businesses, as well as government agencies. Graduates may find employment as office clerks, administrative assistants, information and records clerks, executive secretaries, and front office managers.

Office Administration: Clerical Assistant

This training endorsement provides office skills appropriate to entry-level positions requiring specialized knowledge of payroll and benefits record keeping methods. Coursework may be applied towards a one-year certificate in office administration or an AAS in business administration.

Paralegal Studies

The program provides students with the knowledge and skills for entry into paralegal careers in public or private law offices and law-related agencies. This certificate is designed for baccalaureate degree holders and can be completed in one year; it is awarded upon completion of all certificate requirements and evidence of having earned a bachelor's degree.

Paralegal Studies

The program provides students with the knowledge and skills for entry into paralegal careers in public or private law offices and law-related agencies. Coursework covers legal research and writing, civil procedure and litigation, law office procedures and legal ethics, and contracts and consumer law.

Parent Education

The parenting education program is designed to give students skills and knowledge for entry level positions working with young children. The program will also increase opportunities for advancement for students working with children, families and family systems.

Physical Therapist Assistant

The physical therapist assistant degree prepares students to work with adult, geriatric and/or pediatric populations in general hospitals, rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities and school districts. Graduates are eligible for licensure or certification in any state as a physical therapist assistant. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Physics

The associate in science-transfer degree allows students to transfer with 90 credits, junior standing, and the majority of major prerequisites completed. This list of courses is appropriate for students studying physics and satisfies requirements for the AS-T track 2 degree.

Social Work

This degree prepares students with the competencies and knowledge for anti-racist and anti-oppressive generalist social work practice. Students focus on engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation in practice.

Software Development

The software development degree is designed to prepare individuals to work as entry-level applications or web programmers within an organization. Students will acquire the core skills to design, code, implement, and maintain programs and database systems that provide programming solutions for industry.

Substance Use Disorder Professional

This program prepares students to counsel individuals and families with substance use disorders as a substance use disorder professional in Washington State. Courses are designed to meet the topics specific to alcohol and drug addicted individuals required by the Washington administrative code (246-811-030). This certificate is for students with a prior degree (associates, bachelors, masters).

Substance Use Disorder Professional

This program prepares students to counsel individuals and families with substance use disorders as a substance use disorder professional in Washington State. Courses are designed to meet the topics specific to alcohol and drug addicted individuals required by the Washington administrative code (246-811-030).

Substance Use Disorder Professional: Alternative Training

An alternative training program as a substance use disorder professional for those currently holding licensure in Washington State as an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner, a marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, advanced social worker, independent clinical social worker, Psychologist, Osteopathic Physician, Osteopathic Physician Assistant, Physician, or Physician Assistant.

Visual Communications

The visual communications program prepares students for careers in the print, web, and digital media design fields. The curriculum balances the study of conceptual and visual problem-solving skills with the development of technical skills and knowledge of current industry practices, offering content in graphic design and web/interactive media, including digital publishing for mobile devices and content management systems.