Pre-Nursing - Associate in Pre-Nursing Direct Transfer Agreement/Major Related Program (DTA/MRP)
Designed for the student who plans to transfer to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at a four-year university, the Associate in Pre-Nursing offers a broad spectrum of academic courses that prepare students for upper-division coursework leading to the Bachelor of Science, Nursing degree (entry-to-practice/basic BSN). Pre-nursing graduates are prepared to apply to BSN programs at various institutions across Washington state, including the following baccalaureate institutions that are participants in this agreement with the community and technical college system: University of Washington, Seattle; Washington State University; Northwest University; Seattle University; Seattle Pacific University; Pacific Lutheran University; Walla Walla University; and the Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing (WSU-ICN), a consortium whose members include Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga, and Whitworth. Associate degree transfers to WSU-ICN are admitted through WSU, not through the other consortium institutions.
Meeting the minimum requirements for this DTA/MRP does not guarantee admission a BSN program. Admission deadlines for transfer institutions vary, and students are required to meet the transfer admission deadline. Nursing-related programs are competitive and may require a higher GPA than a 2.0 overall. Minimum GPA requirements may vary among nursing programs.
It is recommended that students pursuing the Pre-Nursing degree contact their potential transfer institutions early in their program regarding specific course choices in each area where electives are listed.
To receive the DTA degree, students must have earned a minimum of a cumulative college-level GPA of a least a 2.0 and have completed at least 90 quarter hours of transferable credit, including a minimum of 60 quarter hours of general education courses as shown below.
CPTC does not offer every course each quarter. It is the student’s responsibility to discuss sequencing and work out their individual schedule with a program counselor, located in the Advising and Counseling Office. Any developmental coursework a student may be required to complete may increase the program length.
Program Length
This program is approximately six quarters long, depending on the time students need to satisfactorily complete all graduation requirements.
Admission Dates
Summer, fall, winter, and spring quarters.
Advising Notes
- Due to high interest and limited space in BSN programs, admission to all BSN programs is highly competitive and therefore students should be informed that the Pre-Nursing DDTA/MRP is highly transferable to all Washington public and many Washington private baccalaureate institutions.
- Students should check with their potential transfer institutions for admission requirements, some admission requirements may not be met by this DTA/MRP. Some transfer institutions may require additional courses before starting the BSN.
- Some transfer institutions may require additional courses before starting the BSN.
- Students must apply to graduate at the community or technical college to be awarded this DTA/MRP.
- Many BSN programs recommend a public speaking course. Students should contact their transfer institution(s) to find out if a public speaking course is preferred.
- Students are encouraged to consult with the transfer institution(s) regarding the Humanities courses that best prepare them for a BSN and for admission to the institution(s).
- Students are encouraged to take courses that provide them with an understanding of and sensitivity to human diversity.
- Introductory survey courses or review courses do not meet the content level expectations for the Natural Sciences distribution area. Six-credit courses may be used in place of five-credit courses in the Natural Sciences distribution area. Extra credits may apply toward the Electives distribution area.
- In order to better prepare for successful transfer, students are encouraged to consult with the institution(s) to which they wish to transfer regarding the humanities courses and other electives that best support or may be required as prerequisites to their nursing curriculum.
Completion Requirements
Prerequisite(s)
Students are required to be proficient in intermediate algebra, which is a prerequisite to the math courses included in this program. Individual courses may have prerequisites.
Program Course List
Communication (10 Cr.)
Walla Walla University requirement: The second English Composition course must be a research writing course. ENGL& 102, or equivalent, fulfills this requirement.
Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning (5 Cr.)
UW Seattle requirement: Requires 5 additional credits in college algebra, pre-calculus, or logic.
Seattle University requirement: Requires 5 additional credits in college algebra or pre-calculus.
Humanities (15 Cr.)
Five (5) credits in Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication, or Intercultural Communication
Ten (10) credits in other Humanities courses
| CMST& 220 | Public Speaking | 5 |
| Humanities Elective | 5 |
| Humanities Elective | 5 |
Humanities Electives Available Through CPTC
Note: Only one 100-level language course may be used to meet the humanities requirement.
Washington State University requirement: Requires curriculum that provides students with an understanding of and sensitivity to human diversity. The Humanities distribution area provides an opportunity to meet this requirement. For potential choices go to and select UCORE category “DIVR”: https://ucore.wsu.edu/students/categoriesand-courses/#DIVR
Social Sciences (15 Cr.)
Washington State University requirement: Requires curriculum that provides students with an understanding of and sensitivity to human diversity. The Social Sciences distribution area provides an opportunity to meet this requirement. For potential choices go to and select UCORE category “DIVR”: https://ucore.wsu.edu/students/categoriesand-courses/#DIVR
Walla Walla University requirement: Requires a course in General Sociology.
Natural Sciences (35 Cr.)
At the time of application when some of the course work may not yet be completed, University of Washington requirement: Requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for three Natural Sciences courses or a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 for four Natural Sciences courses.
Electives (10 Cr.)
A specific elective course may be credited toward no more than one distribution or skill area requirement. A maximum of 5 elective credits may be in college-level courses as defined by CPTC, and the remainder shall be fully transferable as defined by the receiving institution. Select courses appropriate for intended major and intended bachelor’s institution. Students should contact an advisor at the potential transfer institution regarding their interests and specific course choices.
College Success Course (3 Cr.)
Computer Literacy Course (3 Cr.)
| Computer Literacy | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 96 |
University of Washington requirement: Requires 100 hours of healthcare experience.