Aquaculture Science

Aquaculture Theory - Certificate

Do you have an interest in aquaculture but are unable to commit to in-person training? Do you want to take your aquarium or aquaponics hobby to the next level? Are you currently in industry but wish to gain more expertise? If any of these applies to you, then the online Aquaculture Theory Certificate is a great option.

This certificate is highly customizable to meet student needs. Whether brand new to aquaculture or a seasoned member of the workforce, each student can select from a wide range of aquaculture courses to either explore new topics or gain knowledge in a specific area. Courses available for online learning include fish culturing, stock enhancement, aquaponics, seaweed farming, shellfish aquaculture, and more.

With only 15 credits required to complete this short certificate, industry members can meet professional development goals to advance their career, while new members can gain the foundational knowledge to start their pathway in aquaculture. If a student decides to continue their education at BTC in-person, then the completion of this certificate can be applied towards several of the program’s other degrees and technical certificates.

Ready to advance your aquaculture knowledge? Start your online short certificate by meeting with an academic advisor to create your custom plan.

Included in the AAS Aquaculture degrees.

Employment Information

Data are provided on a program (not credential) level

63%1 BTC graduate placement rate (Employment Security Department- WA and OR only)
96%3 BTC graduate placement rate (faculty-tracked, national)
78%3 BTC in-field graduate placement rate (faculty-tracked, national)

$48,578 starting annual wage2
$56,268 average annual wage2
$67,999 potential annual wage2

  • Employment and Wage Data Sources and Information

    1Employment data come from the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) and reflect WA/OR employment for students enrolled at BTC between 2017-18 and 2019-20. Students are included in the employment rate if they left with a credential. Rates are not shown for programs with fewer than 10 students meeting the above criteria.

    2Whatcom County and WA State wage data come from Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) 2021 Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates and reflect 2018-21 employment. Wage data represent occupations that BTC faculty have identified as the most relevant career paths for program graduates. Note that these wages reflect employees with varying educational levels/credentials. For cases in which multiple occupations have been identified by faculty, a weighted percentile is calculated using each occupation’s percentile wage and employment size estimate. Wages are not shown for programs for which occupations do not meet the ESD’s minimum thresholds for publishing. If the program has wage data from the Washington SBCTC that involves shift work, these ESD wages reflect the same number of hours used in the annual wage calculation. Starting wage = 25th percentile, median wage = 50th percentile, wage potential = 75th percentile.

    3Additional employment rates are provided for programs with faculty who maintain their own employment records of students who graduated between 2017-18 and 2019-20 and who were employed within 9 months of graduation. Both overall and in field of study employment rates are included, respectively. For these programs, the format follows: ESD rate / faculty-tracked overall rate / faculty-tracked in-field rate. These additional, faculty-provided rates are particularly important for programs that tend to have graduates employed outside of WA and OR. Note that due to lack of available data, rates may represent fewer than 3 years of graduates.

  • Estimated Program Costs

Tuition Fees and Rates overview page

Entry Information

When Can I Start?

This program typically starts in Fall quarter.

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.

What are My Next Steps?

1. Apply to BTC and Financial Aid
2. Assess Your Starting Point
3. Advising & Registration
4. Prepare to Attend

 

Classes

Total Program Credits: 15

  • Current Students: Learn how to use this page to register for classes

  • Core Courses for Program

  • AQUA 121Principles of Aquaculture5 CR
  • TOTAL Core Course Credits5 CR

  • Electives

  • Electives (Select any from this list.)
  • AQUA 221Seaweed Culturing2 CR
  • AQUA 222Microalgae Culturing2 CR
  • AQUA 225Shellfish Farm Production5 CR
  • AQUA 233Fish Culture: Broodstock & Early Life2 CR
  • AQUA 235Aquaponics2 CR
  • AQUA 236Fish Culture: Nutrition & Health2 CR
  • AQUA 241Fisheries Stock Enhancement2 CR
  • AQUA 252Aquaculture Management5 CR
  • TOTAL Elective Course Credits10 CR

Program Outcomes

Aquaculture Science Certificate students wishing to gain hands-on experience for higher employment placement may apply all certificate course credits towards the Certificate in Fisheries & Aquaculture Techniques, or the AAS or AAS-T in Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences.

Employment Outlook

Your skills will be ready to use with employers such as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as private and tribal hatcheries, shellfish farms, and federal and private scientific companies.

Faculty & Support

Photo of Brittany Palm
Brittany Palm
Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences
  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    BS, Marine Biology, University of New England

    MS, Marine Sciences, University of New England

Photo of Sara Smith
Sara Smith
Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences
  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    BS, Environmental Science-Freshwater Ecology Emphasis, Western Washington University

    MS, Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University

Photo of Brittany Palm
Brittany Palm
Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences
  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    BS, Marine Biology, University of New England

    MS, Marine Sciences, University of New England

Photo of Sara Smith
Sara Smith
Fisheries & Aquaculture Sciences
  • Degrees and Credentials

    Certificate, Professional Technical Education, Washington State

    BS, Environmental Science-Freshwater Ecology Emphasis, Western Washington University

    MS, Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan State University

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 FisheriesNav@btc.edu