Civic Engagement

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Civic Engagement

Associate of Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement (LASDTAA)

This pathway meets requirements for the Associate of Arts-Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) degree with a concentration in Civic Engagement. The Civic Engagement pathway is designed to help students interested in "working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination ...

This pathway meets requirements for the Associate of Arts-Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA) degree with a concentration in Civic Engagement. The Civic Engagement pathway is designed to help students interested in "working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes." (Excerpted from Civic Responsibility and Higher Education, edited by Thomas Ehrlich, published by Oryx Press, 2000, Preface, page vi.) In addition, civic engagement encompasses actions wherein individuals participate in activities of personal and public concern that are both individually life enriching and socially beneficial to the community. 

The Civic Engagement pathway helps students broaden their education with a focus on how to connect with communities around social, political, and cultural issues while pursuing a wide variety of degrees. It is particularly well suited for careers in sectors including community-based organization, social services, government, government affairs office, public affairs, non-profit, advocacy organization, public humanities and civic engagement, lobbying, education, media, law, and business. Students in this pathway learn to navigate organizations and systemic structures while developing skills in oral and written communication, critical thinking and problem solving, research design and planning, digital technology, collaboration, leadership, and intercultural fluency.

Estimated Length of Completion

Degree Quarters Units
Associate of Arts - Direct Transfer Agreement (LASDTAA) Part time : 9 90

You may need more or fewer units depending on your transferred credits, individual situation, and goals.

Before Quarter One

Step 1: Apply and register at North Seattle College anytime (the application is always free). Once you become a student, register for classes using the online class schedule and go to the academic calendar for registration dates and tuition deadlines.

Step 2: See an advisor to create a personalized educational plan by the end of your second quarter. Your plan will include prerequisites, graduation requirements, and transfer preparation if you plan to transfer to another college or university to earn a bachelor's degree.

Sample Schedule and Quarterly To-Do List

90 Units

A sample schedule and quarterly to-do list are below. The schedule and to-do list will help you explore courses and complete tasks on time. The guide assumes a fall quarter start, but you can begin in any quarter and start at any placement level.

Note about the sample schedule: Courses are offered in various formats and may not be offered each quarter. Click the button with arrows throughout the map to expand the section and view detailed information.

Click to see details

Quarter 1
To-Do List
10 UNITS
To-Do List
ENGL&101
English Composition I
5 units
POLS&101
Intro Political Science
5 units
Quarter 2
To-Do List
13 UNITS
To-Do List
Integrated Studies: ENVS&101
Intro to Env Science
5 units
Integrated Studies: SSC 101
Intro to Res Skills
3 units
ENGL299
Independent Study
5 units
Quarter 3
To-Do List
10 UNITS
To-Do List
HIST&148
US History III:1900-Prst
5 units
MATH&107 or MATH&146
Choose a course
5 units
Quarter 4
To-Do List
10 UNITS
To-Do List
  • Update your educational plan and confirm your program of study with your assigned advisor.
  • Research and develop a list of four-year colleges and universities.
ENGL&102
Composition II
5 units
POLS&202
American Government
5 units
Quarter 5
To-Do List
5 UNITS
To-Do List
  • Attend transfer events at North and universities of interest.
  • Apply for financial aid for the upcoming academic year in Winter or Spring quarter to maximize your funding options.
  • Attend civic engagement committee events on and off campus.
  • Attend campus lectures and forums from the Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences division.
  • Contact the appropriate department at potential universities. See Future Education Opportunities. 
World Language I or ART101 or ART210
Choose a course
5 units
Quarter 6
To-Do List
10 UNITS
To-Do List
  • Visit potential universities and determine application deadlines.
  • Explore possible civic engagement internships and service learning.
  • Update your educational plan with your assigned advisor.
World Language II or POLS&203 or PSYC&100
Choose a course
5 units
Pick one from the following list
Choose a course
5 units
Quarter 7
To-Do List
10 UNITS
To-Do List
  • Write your personal statement for university applications.
  • Apply for summer financial aid.
  • Ask instructors for letters of recommendation if needed.
World Language III or AME201 or WMN200
Choose a course
5 units
PHIL&120
Symbolic Logic
5 units
Quarter 8
To-Do List
10 UNITS
To-Do List
  • Apply for the AA-DTA degree in ctcLink. Check with your assigned advisor to be sure you are meeting degree requirements.
  • Apply to universities or colleges and scholarships.
CMST&220
Public Speaking
5 units
BUS200 or ECON&201 or ECON&202
Choose a course
5 units
Quarter 9
To-Do List
10 UNITS
To-Do List
  • Check in with university for transfer plan.
SOC&101
Intro to Sociology
5 units
CMST205 or MUSC110
Choose a course
5 units

More Information

Tuition and Funding

It's time to apply for Financial Aid for next year by completing
either the FAFSA or the WASFA 2024-25.

Need help paying for college?

To apply for financial aid, including grants and scholarships you don’t have to pay back, visit North's Financial Aid Department for details. Part-time and full-time students can qualify for financial aid funds.

Learn more about the estimated cost of attendance and general fees to attend college.

Career Opportunities

A Civic Engagement pathway can lead to various career opportunities. Examples include: 

  • Community advocate
  • Community organizer/activist
  • Social services (social worker, youth advocate, case manager)
  • Educator (in a K-12 school, higher education, nonprofit, community-based organization)
  • Researcher or analyst (in a university, policy think tank)
  • Journalist/writer
  • Communications director or social media specialist
  • Fundraiser or grant writer
  • Paralegal or lawyer
  • Political careers (campaign/party staff, legislative analyst)

A Bachelor’s degree or higher may be required for some careers listed above. For current employment and wage estimates, please visit https://www.bls.gov/oes/.  

Future Education Opportunities

Once you complete this associates degree, additional education opportunities include, but are not limited to: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Humanities and Social Sciences, or a related field at a four-year college or university.
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree at one of the Seattle Colleges.

North Seattle College has direct transfer agreements with four-year institutions throughout Washington state, including the University of Washington, Washington State University, and Seattle University. Civic Engagement graduates from North have also transferred to out-of-state institutions. Program and admissions requirements vary from college-to-college. Contact a North advisor to create an educational plan tailored to transfer to the institution of your choice. You can use the College Navigator search engine found at http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to find Civic Engagement programs in Washington state or around the country. 

Additional Information

Learn more about the Transfer process, Transfer agreements, and Bachelor’s degrees including transferring to top universities around the state and nation, such as Historically Black Universities and Colleges.

Area of Study

Social Sciences, Humanities, and Language

Advising Contact

Contact the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Languages Area of Study advisor

Phone: (206) 934-3658