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Direct Transfer

Degrees that transfer to a 4-year university or college

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University Transfer at SPSCC

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Is your goal to earn your bachelor's degree? Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) associate degrees are a convenient and affordable way to pay for college.

Complete your first 90 credits at SPSCC and then transfer to a 4-year school in Washington as a college junior. Most private Washington schools, and many public colleges out-of-state, will also accept a DTA degree.

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Transfer to an international university

Did you know you can transfer into a bachelor's degree program in another country?

Imagine studying business in France or art in New Zealand. Explore the world and check out our international transfer options.

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Where do SPSCC graduates go after earning their DTA*?

  • 17% University of Washington
  • 10% Saint Martin's University
  • 9% Washington State University
  • 8% Western Washington University
  • 8% The Evergreen State College

*Based on DTA graduates who transferred in 2019-20

About the statewide Direct Transfer Agreements (DTA)

Statewide, DTA degrees provide students:

  • Priority consideration in the admissions for most humanities and social science majors at public universities ahead of students without a degree.
  • Completion of lower division general education requirements.
  • Credit for all courses completed within the DTA up to and in some cases beyond 90 credits.
  • Opportunity to explore several fields of study through the category of up to 30 credits of elective courses.
  • Opportunity to complete prerequisites for a future major.

Important considerations

In some cases, a DTA degree along with minimum GPA requirements does guarantee entry to 4-year program. This is not guaranteed across all degrees, programs, and schools. Meet with an Educational and Career Planner at SPSCC and the 4-year school you wish to attend for unique requirements.

Students must complete all DTA degree requirements and earn their associate degree in order for all classes to transfer to a 4-year school. If a student wishes to transfer before the DTA is earned, 4-year schools may evaluate a transcript course-by-course.

Major Related Programs (MRP) have special and more specific requirements that must be taken in the first two years in order to progress on time.

Associate in Science – Transfer (AS-T): If you’re a science major, you will need to take more science in your first two years and defer some other general education requirements until after you transfer.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS-T): This degree will transfer to only a very limited set of bachelor's degree programs, including some applied degrees at community colleges or to “upside-down” programs at a few 4-year colleges.