Business
Business - DTA-MRP
Bellingham Technical College offers your first step toward a successful career in business and finance. Earn your associate degree and a solid foundation at BTC in two years, and be ready to transfer to a four-year college or university to earn your bachelor’s degree in business management to build a career in a field that is experiencing strong growth in Washington and nationwide.
BTC’s Associate in Business transfer degree is designed for students who want to transfer to major in business at a Washington State college or university. After completing the 90-credit-hour associate degree program at BTC, you may transfer as a junior into a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) program in business administration, accounting, management information systems, and more.
At BTC you’ll begin building your core of business knowledge with academic coursework in English, economics, business law, and accounting. You’ll also develop top interpersonal and communication skills that will prepare you for today’s global, diverse, and competitive business environment.
Associate Degree Program & Transfer Opportunities
The associate degree in business at Bellingham Technical College is a special program called the Direct Transfer Agreement in Major-Related Program (DTA/MRP). This means you start your bachelor’s degree in business at BTC, and finish it at a respected Washington State school.
BTC will get you ready to transfer to such respected universities [link to information on current transfer tab] as Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, University of Washington, Washington State University, Western Washington University, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle University, Walla Walla University, and Whitworth University.
Admission into many business schools is competitive, and higher grade point averages and course grades are often required. Completion of BTC’s Business transfer degree does not necessarily satisfy all course requirements. Be sure to check with universities you are interested in for specific admission and course requirements.
Entry Information
When Can I Start?
This program Accepts students Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer quarter.
For questions, please contact Admissions & Advising at 360.752.8345 or email us at admissions@btc.edu
What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?
Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.
Test scores or transcripts from another college may also be accepted. For more information on transferring classes, please see the Transfer Student page.
Program Application/Forms
Admissions Application
Associate in Business (DTA/MRP) Planning Guide
What are My Next Steps?
Classes
Total Program Credits: 90
Classes may only be applied to one distribution area. Some universities require specific classes. Please check with intended bachelor's institution. Business
All Business courses listed below are required. ACCT& 201 Principles of Accounting I 5 CR ACCT& 202 Principles of Accounting II 5 CR ACCT& 203 Principles of Accounting III 5 CR BUS& 201 Business Law 5 CR International students who completed a business law course specific to their home country must take a business law course at a U.S. institution in order to demonstrate proficiency in U.S. business law. Communication Skills
Both English classes listed below are required. ENGL& 101 English Composition I 5 CR ENGL& 102 English Composition II 5 CR To meet current EWU requirements the second English Composition course must be equivalent to EWU's English 201-College Composition: Analysis, Research, and Documentation Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning Skills
The class below is required. MATH& 151 Calculus I 5 CR Choose an additional class from the following options: MATH& 107 Math in Society 5 CR MATH& 141 Precalculus I 5 CR MATH& 142 Precalculus II 5 CR MATH& 151 Calculus I 5 CR MATH& 152 Calculus II 5 CR MATH& 163 Calculus 3 5 CR Humanities
Choose three classes from at least two subject areas. No more than 5 credits in world language at the 100 level. CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communications 5 CR CMST& 220 Public Speaking 5 CR HIST& 146 United States History I 5 CR HIST& 147 United States History II 5 CR HIST& 148 United States History III 5 CR HUM& 101 Introduction to Humanities 5 CR SPAN& 121 Spanish I 5 CR SPAN& 122 Spanish II 5 CR Students intending the international business major should consult their potential transfer institution(s) regarding the level of world language required for admission to the major. Five (5) credits in world languages may apply to the Humanities requirement. Students are encouraged to include a speech or oral communication course (not small group communication). Social Sciences
The classes below are required. ECON& 201 Micro Economics 5 CR ECON& 202 Macro Economics 5 CR Choose one additional class from options provided. BUS& 101 Introduction to Business 5 CR POLS& 202 American Government 5 CR PSYC& 100 General Psychology 5 CR PSYC& 200 Lifespan Psychology 5 CR SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology 5 CR Natural Sciences
The class below is required. MATH& 146 Introduction to Statistics 5 CR Choose two additional classes in Physical, Biological and/or Earth Sciences, including at least one lab science course from the following options: BIOL& 160 General Biology with Lab 5 CR BIOL& 260 Microbiology 5 CR CHEM& 110 Chemical Concepts w/Lab 5 CR CHEM& 121 Intro to Chemistry 5 CR CHEM& 131 Introduction to Organic/Bio-Chemistry 5 CR NUTR& 101 Nutrition 5 CR PHYS& 110 Physics for Non-Science Majors w/Lab 5 CR PHYS& 221 Engineering Physics I w/Lab 5 CR PHYS& 221 Engineering Physics I w/Lab 5 CR PHYS& 223 Engineering Physics III w/Lab 5 CR Student intending the manufacturing management major at WWU should consult WWU regarding the selection of natural science courses required for admission to the major. Electives
5 credits of non-business electives except as noted below. Four institutions have requirements for admission to the major that go beyond those specified above. Students can meet these requirements by careful selection of the elective University Course Equivalent to: WSU (all campuses): Management Information Systems MIS 250 Gonzaga: Management Information Systems BMIS 235 PLU: Computer Applications CSCE 120, either an equivalent course or skills test WWU: Introduction to Business Computer Systems MIS 220
Transfer
Upon completion of BTC’s Associate in Business DTA/MRP degree, students are eligible to transfer to the following institutions in Washington State:
Central Washington University
B.S. in Business Administration at Central Washington University.
A minimum 2.5 GPA is required in business prerequisite classes. CWU will accept MATH& 146 in place of MATH 211. Transfer Policies and Course Equivalencies (click Current Washington State Course Equivalencies, then Course Equivalencies under Technical College Equivalencies.)
University of Washington
B.A. in Business Administration, B.S. in Business Administration at UW
Admissions is highly competitive. Students must apply to both the UW and the School of Business. The Business School admits both fall and winter quarters. Applicants must complete a proctored writing skills assessment and a personal statement. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required for all Business classes. The UW requires two years of the same world language in high school or two quarters in college for admissions.
Seattle University
BA in Economics, BA in Business Administration with majors in Accounting, Business Economics, E-Commerce & Information Systems, Finance, Individualized Major, International Business, Management, and Marketing.
A minimum 2.75 overall GPA and a 2.75 GPA in business and math classes are required. World language and a study abroad program are required for International Business majors. SU does not accept BUS& 201.
Washington State University
B.A. in Business Administration or Management & Operations
In addition to Business prerequisites, please note that WSU requires completion of Major Certification and General Program Requirements. International Business majors need to complete a year of a world language and a study abroad program. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required for admission into the Business program.
Western Washington University
B.A. in Accounting, B.A. in Business Administration and B.S. in Manufacturing Management
A minimum of 2.75 GPA is required in all business prerequisite classes.
Eastern Washington University
The College of Business and Public Administration.
EWU admission requirements include minimum GPAs as noted.
Please note: Admission into many business schools is competitive and higher grade point averages and course grades are often required. Completion of the general Business DTA/MRP degree does not necessarily satisfy all transfer requirements; some institutions may have additional course requirements. Check individual school links listed above for the most up-to-date admission requirements and recommendations; annotated text above is meant for general guidelines only.
Employment Outlook
The employment outlook for business program graduates is strong, and you can expect to earn excellent wages and have plentiful job opportunities.
Locally and across Washington state, employers such as financial services and manufacturing firms need more qualified professionals with BA and BS degrees to help them meet the demands of a complex business marketplace.
Bellingham Technical College’s associate in business program offers courses in English, public speaking, business calculus, and micro and macro economics. Your BTC education will help sharpen your business and communication skills so you can be a vital member of teams across a variety of companies and industries.
Through BTC’s Associate in Business DTA/MRP program, you’ll learn skills needed for a rewarding career in the fast-paced world of modern business whether you work for large or small employers such as retail and wholesale companies; finance, insurance and software companies; schools and universities; federal and state government; service industries; and manufacturing and industrial firms.
Faculty & Support
Jan Richards
Jan Richards joined BTC in Fall of 2016. She has over 16 years of teaching experience and is nationally certified as a Developmental Education Specialist through the Kellogg Institute at Appalachian State University in N.C. She has taught at NC State University, East TN State University, and other community colleges, both in TN, VA, and NC. Two years of instruction was with a medium-security correctional facility in Harnett County, NC. Jan received her Master of Arts in English from Western Washington University and has completed other teaching curriculum credits through Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.
Contacts
If you have questions about this program or want help with the admissions steps to Bellingham Technical College, please email outreach@btc.edu.
Current students wanting academic planning and support, can connect with the program Instructor(s) or email BusinessITNav@btc.edu