Core Competencies
Critical Thinking
Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze and summarize complex information, create an argument that acknowledges multiple perspectives, and use reasoning and evidence to draw conclusions.
Quantitative Reasoning
Students will demonstrate the ability to apply numerical, logical, and analytical techniques to analyze, evaluate, and explain quantitative information.
Effective Communication
Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas through written, oral, and/or visual formats by utilizing their own voice to address various audiences and consider the perspectives of others.
Information & Visual Literacy
Students will demonstrate the ability to interpret, evaluate, synthesize, and organize selected textual, visual, or electronic resources for a given situation, maintaining strict adherence to legal and ethical guidelines governing information access.
Community & Social Responsibility
Students will demonstrate the ability to interact productively and equitably with others in diverse local, national, and global communities; address social justice issues based on awareness of historical and contemporary systemic inequalities; proactively engage in their physical and mental health.
Globalism
Students will demonstrate the ability to evaluate how environmental, relational and cultural processes and interactions impact the world, people’s lives, and their own views.
General Requirements
- 95 Credits Total: Complete at least 95 credits of courses numbered 100 or higher
- 2.0+ Cumulative GPA: Earn at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Note: Computer Science programs are competitive and may require a higher cumulative GPA, or a higher GPA in specific courses.
- 25% of Total Credits at Highline: Complete at least 25% of your 95 total credits at Highline. This is the “Residency” requirement.
- 75+ Credits Fully Transferable: At least 75 credits must be designated as fully transferable. All Distribution Area and PE Activity courses are fully transferable.
Maximum 15 Credits Restricted: Courses that are not fully transferable are called “restricted.” Students can use no more than 15 restricted credits for their degree. Restricted courses include most Professional-Technical courses, College Studies, PE Activity courses, independent studies, credit by examination, military experience credit, CLEP and other nontraditional credit.
Maximum 15 Credits CR/NC: You can choose to have a course graded as CR/NC, but no more than 15 credits of CR/NC courses can apply to your degree.
Maximum 3 Credits PE Activity: All PE courses are either “Activity” or “Theory” courses. You can only use 3 credits of PE Activity for your degree.
For more information, refer to the Associate Degree and Certificate Requirements page.
Communications Requirement: 15 credits
Complete the required 10 credits of English and 5 credits of Communication Studies courses. Courses used to meet the Communication Skills requirement cannot apply to other requirements.
Note: ENGL& 102 is the best choice for most students. ENGL& 235 is for specific pathways; talk to an advisor before taking it.
Complete ONE of the following:
Complete ONE of the following:
Quantitative Requirement: 5 credits
Complete the Quantitative Skills course below. The course used to meet the Quantitative Skills requirement cannot apply to other requirements.
Physical Education Requirement: 3 credits
Students are required to complete a physical education course of three credits or more to satisfy the Physical Education requirement. See the Associate in Arts (AA-DTA) degree requirements for specific course options to fulfill this requirement.
Diversity and Globalism: 3 Credits
Complete at least 3 credits of Diversity and Globalism coursework. This course can apply to another requirement, so choose one that will also meet a Distribution or Elective requirement.
Some potential transfer institutions may require a Diversity and/or Globalism course, check transfer institutions equivalency guides for courses that may meet both schools’ requirements.
Distribution Areas
A complete list of Humanities, Social Science, and Natural Science distribution courses can be found on the Distribution Areas page.
Humanities Distribution: 10 credits
Complete the following:
- 5 credits from Humanities Area 1
- 5 credits from Humanities Area 2
Note:
- Gonzaga University requires 15 credits from Philosophy (Intro to Ethics), Literature, and Humanities (Art, Music, Theatre, etc.).
- Some colleges and universities require two years of high school world language or fluency in more than one language. If a student doesn’t have either, they need two quarters of a college world language. Students can take the first in Humanities Area 1 and the second as an elective.
Social Science Distribution: 15 credits
Complete the following:
- 5 credits from Social Science Area 1
- 5 credits from Social Science Area 2
- 5 credits from Social Science Area 1 or Area 2
Note:
- UW requires completion of a diversity course that explores how social systems create different life outcomes for different people, how to recognize and work with the differences, and how to improve on the systems. For courses that meet this institutional requirement, please speak with an advisor from the campus you wish to attend.
- Gonzaga requires History (World History, Western Civilization, or U.S. History); and Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, or Anthropology 101.
Natural Science Distribution: 15 credits
Complete 10 Credits from the following
- 10 credits of Natural Science courses with labs (L)
Complete ONE of the following:
Computer Programming: 15 credits
Electives: 17 credits
Complete 17 credits of electives 100-level or higher. At least 15 of these credits must come from the Distribution Areas or other fully transferable electives (see AA-DTA for full list of transferable electives). The courses below are just examples. Students do not need to choose from this list.
Electives can include prerequisites like pre-calculus or physics preparation. They can also be major or general education courses specific to the student’s target transfer school.
Importance of Advising. Advising is an important part of completing a degree. Each student should meet with an advisor as early as possible. Students are responsible for checking the transfer requirements of the college or university they plan to attend; advisors can help with this.
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