What Is the Direct Transfer Agreement at Clark College Vancouver?

I'm a high school junior considering attending Clark College in Vancouver. Can someone explain the direct transfer agreement they have and how it can affect my transfer to a university later on?

The Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) at Clark College is a type of degree designed to help students transfer smoothly from the college to a university in Washington state. These are often referred to as 'Associate of Arts DTA' or 'Associate of Science DTA' degrees depending on the discipline you are studying.

The DTA ensures you fulfill the general education requirements for most four-year institutions in Washington. This means that after two years at Clark College, you can transfer to a local university as a junior, having satisfied most, if not all, of your lower-division (freshman and sophomore) requirements.

For example, if you're interested in a bachelor's program in Business, you might pursue an Associates of Arts DTA in Business at Clark College if that is available. This would cover your lower-division general education and business prerequisite courses. After completing the associate degree, you could transfer to a Washington state university and begin in junior standing in your bachelor's program.

It's recommended that students work closely with their academic advisors to ensure they're taking the appropriate coursework for their intended program at the university. Different universities or degree programs may have specific prerequisites that are not covered by the DTA, so it's always important to check with the admissions office at the university you're planning to transfer to.

It's also worth noting that while the DTA is designed for Washington state universities, many institutions outside Washington will also accept associate degrees for transfer, but it's vital to verify this with the specific institution.