Cascadia College

As Cascadia Community College

Historically created by legislative mandate, Cascadia Community College hired its first staff and faculty in 1999. These individuals numbered less than a dozen and handled all administrative duties including the development of curriculum and programs of studies, recruiting and hiring faculty and staff, and development and design of the permanent campus. Founding staff, administrators, and the four members of the innovative Cascadia "Curriculum Learning Design Team" worked for twelve months in a small office in a business park just about one mile from the new Cascadia campus. Most important decisions were made or announced at a small communal table in the center of the Cascadia temporary office. In this room, all important decisions were deliberated and decided upon. Over 1,100 applications were screened to select just fifteen "Founding Faculty" members along with 55 Associate (part-time) Faculty who would be brought to Bothell in 2000 and oriented to join this innovative learning environment.

In 2000, in recognition of its innovative structure, interdisciplinary curriculum, and outcomes-based organization, Cascadia was named as one of twelve "Vanguard Learning Colleges" by the League for Innovation in the Community College. In a 2007 list of the top U.S. two-year colleges created by Washington Monthly magazine, Cascadia ranked second, behind Atlanta Technical College.

Degree programs

Associate in Integrated Studies (AIS)

Two-year degree that is equivalent to the first two years of a four-year baccalaureate degree designed for transfer to a four-year university.

Associate in Science (AS)

Two-year degree for students intending to transfer to a four-year college or university to pursue a major in the natural sciences, pre-med, engineering or computer science. Students selecting this degree will choose between two "tracks". Track 1 is for students planning to major in Biological Sciences, Environmental/Earth Sciences, Chemistry or Geology. Track 2 is for students with majors in Computer Science, Atmospheric Science or Physics. Track 2 also offers three specific engineering major-ready pathways, Bio/Chem Engineering, Computer & Electrical Engineering, and other.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Environmental Technologies and Sustainable Practices

Associate in Business (AB)

Degree designed as an entry pathway to four-year business degree programs to make possible junior level transfer into business majors of most academic programs at public four-year institutions.

Associate in Pre-Nursing

This degree program is applicable to students planning to prepare for upper division Bachelor of Science, Nursing or other related allied health field.

Associate in Global Studies (AA)

A DTA (Direct Transfer Agreement) that prepares you to transfer to a four-year college or university in the area of international business or trade, non-government organizations, state or local government, or domestic or overseas teaching.

Professional/Technical Degrees and Certificates

You can earn a certificate and enter the workforce or stack certificates towards a two-year degree in the areas of Environmental and Sustainable Practices, Networking Infrastructure, and Web Application.

Bachelor of Applied Science in Sustainable Practices

Helping large local companies save energy through behavioral changes and operational improvements, Restoring habitat in urban forests and natural areas for native fish and wildlife species, or Increasing access to healthy, local foods for low-income households.

Blended Enrollment Bachelor Degrees at Cascadia and Bastyr University

If you are interested in the natural health arts and sciences, yet still need to earn your general education credits, the Cascadia-Bastyr Blended Enrollment Program provides the most direct route to an accredited health science degree in one of seven Bachelor of Science majors – preparing graduates to take on successful careers in this region’s growing natural health industry.