Associate in Integrated Studies (AIS) Degree (DTA)

This degree is designed for those students who are interested in earning a two-year academic degree. This 90-credit degree is most often an appropriate goal for students who intend to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The Associate in Integrated Studies (AIS) is a two-year degree that is equivalent to the first two years of a four-year baccalaureate degree. It is considered a Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) because the AIS degree is designed to satisfy most (if not all) of the General Education Requirements of most public colleges and universities in Washington state. By virtue of this agreement, students will generally transfer with junior standing and fulfill all or most general education requirements. It is not necessary to complete a degree at Cascadia to be eligible to transfer to a baccalaureate-granting college or university, but most baccalaureate-granting colleges and universities or programs within those colleges and universities give admission preference to transfer students who have completed the two-year transfer degree. The Associate in Integrated Studies degree is also the degree of choice for students who intend to transfer, but who are undecided about which baccalaureate institution they will attend. Consult an Academic Advisor to develop an educational plan.

Degree Requirements

Associate in Integrated Studies Degree (AIS) requires at least 90 credit hours in college level courses (numbered 100 or above), a minimum cumulative 2.0 grade point average, a minimum of 25 credits in residence at Cascadia, and completion of all of the requirements for this degree. Students must complete and submit an application for graduation to Enrollment Services for review and approval before the degree is granted. Students must include the graduation fee payment with the application form.

Students must complete either COLL 101 or COLL 100 within the first 30 credits at Cascadia. This course introduces students to Cascadia’s learning model and sets them up for academic success in college by introducing them to the culture of higher education and to particular ways of knowing and reasoning within the academic disciplines.

(see Foundations for College Success distribution list)

1. Communicating And Thinking Critically: 15 credits. Complete the sequence below.
   • ENG 101 College Composition: 5 credits and ENG 102 Writing from Research: 5 credits
   • CMU 150 Multicultural Communication: 5 credits OR SOC 150 Social Inequality: 5 credits
2. Global Thinking: 5 credits. One of the Humanities or Social Sciences courses designated CKR on the distribution lists.
   This course may also apply to the Humanities or Social Sciences distribution requirements.
3. Quantitative or Symbolic Reasoning: 5 credits. One of the following courses: MATH 107, MATH 110, MATH 115, MATH 120, MATH 125, MATH 130, MATH 135, MATH 140, BIT 142, ECON 201, or PHIL 120.
   All students must be proficient in intermediate algebra. Proficiency may be satisfied by completion with a C or 2.0 or better of high school mathematics through second year algebra, by placing above Intermediate Algebra MATH 95 through Cascadia’s assessment test, or by completion of an intermediate algebra course (to be numbered below 100) or a mathematics course for which intermediate algebra is a prerequisite.

(see Foundations for College Success distribution list)

Students must complete a minimum of 15 credits from the Humanities Distribution List. Courses must be chosen from at least two different disciplines. No more than 5 credits may be included from those courses designated HP as performance/skills, applied theory or lecture/studio courses. Only one class of world language at the 100 level may be included.

(see Humanities distribution list)

Students must complete a minimum of 15 credits from the Social Science Distribution List. Courses must be chosen from at least two different disciplines.

(see Social Sciences distribution list)

Students must complete a minimum of 15 credits from the Natural Sciences Distribution List and meet the following requirements:

1. Courses must be chosen from at least two disciplines.
2. At least ten credits must be selected from physical (P), biological (B) and/or earth (E) sciences.
3. At least one lab course (LAB) must be included.

(see Natural Sciences distribution list)

Students must complete sufficient elective credits in college level courses (numbered 100 or above) to bring the total credits for the AIS degree to 90. These credits may be selected from any combination of the distribution course lists. No more than 12 credits may be included from Restricted Electives List.

(see Elective distribution list)

Please Note: Any courses added to the Cascadia Community College curriculum after the publishing of this planning guide, must be approved by the Student Learning Council and the Intercollege Relations Commission to determine whether the course meets general education, distribution area, general elective or restricted elective requirements.

AIS Global Studies Endorsement

Navigating through the turbulent waters of an increasingly interdependent world is a challenge we all face. The Global Studies endorsement exists to better prepare students for the myriad of opportunities and challenges, academically, interpersonally, and professionally, posed by transformations within the world at large. More specifically, students who successfully complete the Global Studies endorsement take a strong proactive step toward competency in a different language, are able to engage and negotiate multiple perspectives and analyze intercultural issues, and develop increased global awareness and a better appreciation of the common human destiny and dignity shared by all in the world.

“Global Studies Endorsement” to an AIS degree will be awarded to students who complete 45 credits from the list of eligible courses below as part of their AIS degree, including: ¹

• World Languages Requirement – 103 level competency²
  Up to 10 credits from World Languages may be applied toward the endorsement total of 45 credits.¹
• Service Learning/Study Abroad/Internship Requirement
  5 credits of the endorsement total of 45 credits must be in a course or courses that involve one or a combination of service learning, study abroad, or an internship. ^{1, 3}

1. All distribution area requirements for the intended degree are applicable. Please see the current catalog for specific degree distribution area requirements.
2. Competency for the World Language requirement is achieved through the successful completion of a one-year Cascadia Community College World Language sequence (101, 102, 103) or is evidenced in one of the following ways:
   • Successful completion of a one-year World Language sequence at another accredited college or university
   • Successful completion of three years of consecutive study of the same World Language at the high school level
   • Completion of the AP College Board test in a World Language with a score of 4 or 5
   • Demonstrated second-language competency at the 103 level
3. These may be embedded in any of the courses listed in the matrix, or stand alone courses/experiences, or be granted as a result of a faculty initiated petition.

Page Last Updated: 8/7/07

Top of Page