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The word “program” is used a lot around cam-pus. There are multicultural programs and pro-grams funded by student government. There is also the umbrella term “academic programs.”

Students may be unaware which program leads to a certificate, degree or simply provides a solid foundation to transfer to another institution.

“What I try to emphasize to students is they need to plan to transfer, whether or not they are complet-ing an AAOT,” said Aimee Metcalf, director of ad-missions in an email.

“This means doing lots of research on the institu-tions they are interested in attending, the major(s) they want to pursue, the admission requirements for the university and, if necessary, the degree program,”she said.

Although loaded with information, the COCC catalog can be a lot for students to sort through.

The information below can be used to consider all avenues of study that the college offers and to appreciate the diversity of programs available.

Associate of Arts, Oregon Transfer (AAOT):Many students come to the college to narrow

their focus and find their majors. The subjects cov-ered under the AAOT vary from criminal justice, engineering or the pre-professional areas of study. Many of the professors in these subjects have rec-ommended courses for pursuing a particular ma-jor.

Students transferring to another college or uni-versity may wonder why this degree is necessary. It is not. Students can complete core classes and trans-fer without completing the AAOT.

The advantage of the AAOT is that “it fulfills the lower-division (freshman/sophomore) general edu-cation requirements for the baccalaureate degrees at all Oregon University System intuitions.,”according to COCC’s catalog.

Career and Technical Education programsThe Associate of Applied Science and certificates

in completion fall under this category. These pro-grams focus on job skills with high quality instruc-tion. From short term certificates to year long pro-grams, many students have been discovering the benefits of hands-on training.

Associate of Science (AS):Students looking to earn bachelor’s in engineer-

ing, science or business can use the Associate of Science to meet lower division general education requirements at most Oregon public universities. The degree does not guarantee junior status like the AAOT. Planning with your advisor and knowing the requirements of the university where you wish to transfer will make this degree work best .

The Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) The OTM not a degree program but allows you

to complete core classes that are recognized at other institutions.

“The Oregon Transfer Module (OTM) represents completion of a transfer student’s first year. While not a full certificate or degree, the transfer mod-ule helps build a student’s resume and guarantees that another Oregon community college or public university will accept all module credits towards their general education requirements,” according to Metcalf.

“Students should work closely with their COCC academic advisor and also seek ad-vice at the institution to which they are plan-ning to transfer,”

- Aimee MetcalfDirector of Admissions

Outdoor Leadership Professor Aaron Lish working with a student on Broken Top during a mountaineering course.Derek Oldham | The Broadside

Features 6Oct. 13, 2010

Think of the possibilities

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Accounting (accounting specialization degree)Addiction Studies (pending state approval)ApprenticeshipAutomotive TechnologyAviation ScienceBusiness Administration (AAS options)Computer Information SystemsCriminal JusticeCascade Culinary InstituteEmergency Medical ServiceFire Science, StructuralFire Science,Wildland Fire/Fuels ManagementForestry*Geographic Information SystemsHealth Information TechnologyManufacturing TechnologyMassage TherapyNursing-RN

Associate of Art Oregon Transfer AAOT

Accounting (business emphasis degree)Addictions StudiesAnthropologyArtBiology/BotanyBusiness AdministrationChemistryCriminal JusticeEarly Childhood EducationEconomicsEducationEngineering/ArchitectureEnglish/LiteratureExercise science(Pre)dentistryForeign LanguagesGeneral scienceGeographyGeologyHealth PromotionHistoryHumanitiesPre-LawMathematics(Pre) MedicineMusic Outdoor LeadershipPolitical SciencePsychologySociologySpeech Communication(Pre) Veterinary

Transfer Preparation

Forestry(Pre) Dental Hygiene(Pre) Medical Imaging Technology(Pre) Medical Lab TechnologyMilitary Science(Pre) Radiologist Technologist

Associate of Science

ChemistryEarly Childhood EducationOutdoor Leadership (AS Direct

Transfer and AS)PhysicsEngineering and Engineering TechnologyExercise Science

Certificate of Completion

Accounting (pending approval)Addiction StudiesApprenticeship*Automotive Technology*Business AdministrationComputer Information SystemsCriminal Justice*Cascade Culinary Institute*Drafting, CADFire Science, Wildland Fire/Fuels Management*Geographic Information SystemsHealth Information Technology*Juvenile CorrectionsManufacturing Technology (pending approval)*Massage TherapyMedical AssistantNursing, Practical NursingOffice AssistantPharmacy Technician

Manufacturing Technology

CNC MachiningManual MachiningWelding (one year)One or Two Year certification of completion

Short Term CertificatesApprenticeshipAutomotive Technology Cascade Culinary InstituteCriminal JusticeDietary/Nutrition ManagersForestryHealth Information Technology

Health Information Technology

InsuranceMedical Office SpecialistMedical Billing SpecialistMedical TranscriptionCoding Competency

Forestry

Mapping Cartography, short termAdvanced Forest Concepts, short termConservation of Natural Resources, short termForest Measurement, short termForest Ecology, short termWildland Fire SuppressionFirefighter Type II

Apprenticeships

Sheet MetalMillwright (Conveyor systems,escalators,electrical

turbines,generators)Manufacturing Plant ElectricianBoiler OperatorTurbine Operator

Automotive Technology

Auto Drive Train TechnicianAuto Engine TechnicianAuto Electrical Technician (Basic)Auto Electrical Technician (Ad-

vanced)Auto Engine Performance Techni-

cianAuto Heating and Air Conditioning

TechnicianMaster Auto TechnicianUndercar Technician

* Specific certificates within some of the programs

COCC’s academic programs in a nutshell

“Colleges which accept the COCC AAOT degree besides Oregon’s public universities include:Evergreen State College (WA)Pacific Lutheran University (WA)Washington State University (WA)Concordia College (OR)George Fox College (OR)Linfield College (OR)Pacific University (OR)Marylhurst College (OR)University of Portland (OR)Warner Pacific College (OR)Willamette University (OR)”

-COCC catalog

A firefighter monitors the fire during Sister’s High School “Spirit Week”

Derek Oldham | The Broadside

Features 7Oct. 13, 2010