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Associate in Arts (AA-DTA)

The Associate in Arts  (AA-DTA) Degree is the most flexible of the transfer degrees and can be tailored to meet your academic and transfer goals. The AA-DTA Degree (DTA = Direct Transfer Agreement) is a 90-credit transfer degree that fulfills the first two years of general education requirements for most four-year degrees in the arts and humanities and social sciences.  To earn the  AA-DTA, students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better in courses 100 and above, complete at least 15 credits at the Seattle College awarding the degree, and meet the requirements outlined below.

Attention: Requirements for the Associate in Arts DTA (AA-DTA)  will change in Fall 2025 adding a requirement of HDC 101: Orientation to College Success, a 2 credit course. Students enrolled in the degree program before Fall 2025 will not need to take HDC 101 if they complete the degree within 5 years. Please contact your advisor or retention specialist with any questions about degree requirements.

Program Pathways, Outcomes and Degree Requirements

We offer a variety of program pathways to match your interests and enhance your Associate in Arts degree. Each pathway is a suggested sequence of courses to help prepare you for the major listed at universities in Washington. 

The AA-DTA degree is designed to fulfill a set of desired learning outcomes for the general education of a college undergraduate in the United States in the 21st Century:

  • Communication (Reading, Oral or Signed, Written, Other Forms of Expression)
  • Critical Thinking, Inquiry and Analysis, and Problem Solving
  • Global Learning and Intercultural Knowledge and Competence
  • Quantitative Literacy
  • Creative Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Technology Literacy
  • Integrative Learning
  • Collaboration
  • Ethical Reasoning
  • Civic Engagement
  • Foundations and Skills for Life-long Learning

Basic Requirements – 15 credits

  • ENGL& 101 and 102, English Composition I and 2 – 10 credits
  • Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning (Q/SR), College-level MATH or PHIL& 120 – 5 credits
    MATH, VLPA, ICS or NW courses that exceed minimum requirements
    Academic electives offered at North: ACCT& 201, 202, 203, BUS &101, &201, 210 and ENGL& 235
    Physical Education Activity Courses (PEC) - 3 credits maximum
    Transfer courses in Seminar, Directed Readings, Special Projects/Topics (e.g. 198, 296, 298, 299) 

Area of Knowledge Distribution Requirements – 45 credits

  • Visual, Literary & Performing Arts (VLPA) (Humanities and Arts) – 15 credits
    Minimum 2 different subjects. No more than 5 credits of a world language at the 100 level and no more than 5 credits of a studio/performance class may be used in this category.  
  • Individuals, Cultures & Societies (ICS) (Social Sciences) – 15 credits
    Minimum 2 different subjects
  • Natural World (NW) (Natural and Physical Sciences) – 15 credits
    Minimum 2 different subjects
    5 credits lab science required
    Up to 5 credits total allowed from ANTH, CSC, ENGR, GEOG, MATH, PHIL& 120 and 
    PSYC 222

For courses that satisfy Areas of Knowledge Distribution Requirements, consult the current list, contact your advisor or retention specialist, or consult the class schedule.

Electives – 30 credits
Courses should be tailored to your interests and intended major.

  • 15 to 30 credits of academic or college-transfer courses numbered 100 or above, including
    MATH, VLPA, ICS or NW courses that exceed minimum requirements
    Academic electives offered at North: ACCT& 201, 202, 203, BUS &101, &201, 210 and
    ENGL& 235
    Physical Education Activity Courses (PEC) - 3 credits maximum
    Transfer courses in Seminar, Directed Readings, Special Projects/Topics (e.g. 198, 296, 298, 299)  
  • 0 to 15 credits ‘Restricted’ electives. Any college level courses numbered 100 or above not listed in the Basic or Distribution requirements.

Within the 90 credits required for the AA-DTA degree, students must complete special requirements.  Courses may fulfill more than one requirement and should overlap with Basic or Distribution requirements. 

Integrated Studies – 8-10 credits: A minimum of 8 credits of integrated studies (IS) in linked courses, or the coordinated studies programs. Specific IS offerings are taught each quarter. You can view this year’s schedule or view INTS courses in the class schedule. 

  • Communications – 5 credits. 
  • Global Studies – 5 Credits
  • US Cultures – 5 Credits

See the current list of courses that meet the special requirements, or consult the class schedule. Courses taken previously at North or at other Seattle Colleges which satisfy requirements there will fulfill requirements at North.