“A Matter of Degrees…and More”
Reference Sheet
MILITARY
Major Branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard
Training Available: All types of careers, ASVAB test provides career matches
Programs:
 Enlisted – for high school graduates
 Officer – for college graduates
 ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corp) – ROTC scholarship available to cover
college costs, must be willing to serve in service after completion of college, not all
universities offer this program
 Military Academy – 4 year college degree earned at no cost except a commitment to
the military after graduation; enter military as an officer, highly competitive to get in.
 Military Academies: West Point – Army; Annapolis – Navy; Air Force Academy;
Coast Guard Academy.
Upside: Career training, college benefits, steady paycheck, free housing, food and health care
Downside: If you have a problem with authority, the Military is probably not the choice for you.
APPRENTICESHIP
Description: Apprenticeship trains workers to meet industry standards for a given occupation.
Apprentices work and learn under the supervision of a journey-level craft person.
Programs: There are over 800 programs to choose from ranging from baker to heavy
equipment operator, and from tool and die maker to high tech programmer.
Training Available: Training is divided between hands-on work and classroom learning.
Programs can be 3-5 years in length. Many programs require math skills at the algebra level or
above. In certain programs you can also earn an Associates Degree.
Cost: Need to supply own tools and have reliable transportation.
Upside: Earn while you learn – earn a living wage with retirement and health care benefits
while learning a skill. Students finish the program without going into debt. With journey-level
status you are licensed to work anywhere in the nation.
Downside: Need to know how to budget. Some professions are seasonal; there is the chance of
being laid off during slow times.
CAREER COLLEGES (Private – formerly called Trade Schools)
Description: Specific training in one career, such as:
Northwest Railroad Institute – learn to maintain and operate train equipment
International Air Academy – ticket agents, flight attendants
Divers Institute of Technology – professional underwater divers for
salvage and welding
ITT Technical Institute – computers, electronics
Programs: Specific career training only
Training Available: Short term, usually 6 – 12 months
No specific requirements to enter school
Cost: High cost – because they are short term
Upside: Get out into job market quickly; generally won’t take any classes that don’t specifically
relate to career.
Downside: High cost
No regulated standards, so you may not be taught the most current skills.
No degree, certificates only, credit does not transfer to other schools.
TECHNICAL COLLEGES (Public)
Description: For the career-focused student who knows what they want, choosing a technical
school can get you on the fast track to success in your field. Students study all aspects of a trade,
from management to technique.
There are five technical colleges in our state, all on the west side on the mountains: Lake
Washington Institute of Technology, Renton Technical, Bates Technical (in Tacoma), Clover
Park Technical (in Tacoma) and Bellingham Technical College.
Programs: 6 month certificate programs, two year Associate’s Degree and now four year
Bachelor degrees are offered.
Training Available: Technical Colleges offer hands-on courses in a range of practical subjects,
such as information technology, applied sciences, engineering, nursing, auto repair, dental
assisting, chef and many more.
Who Can Apply? Student must be a high school graduate or 18 years old. Student must take a
placement test called COMPASS for reading, writing and math which determines placement in
English and Math classes at the community/technical college.
Cost: Technical/community colleges average approximately half the cost of public four year
colleges. The state helps fund colleges to give residents the opportunity to receive public
education.
Upside: Great way to get career training. More night classes are offered for those who need to
work.
Downside: Need to be sure of your future career before selecting a technical program. Not
created to allow students to take a variety of classes and “shop around” for a field of interest.
COMMUNITY COLLEGES (Public)
Description: Community colleges offer two-year liberal arts programs or specific career
training programs. After completing their studies, students receive a certificate, diploma or an
associate’s degree. Many students then transfer to a four-year college or university to continue
their education. Other graduates go directly into the work setting. There are 28 community
colleges located in our state. Forty percent of students who earn a Bachelor’s degree in
Washington State start at a community college.
Programs:
 Two year degree programs called Associate degree, either Associate of Arts (A.A.) or
Associate of Science (A.S.) which enable students to enter a career field after graduation.
 Two year TRANSFER degree programs allow students to complete the first two years of
a four year college program at the community college and then transfer to a four year
school to finish the final two years.
 Several schools are beginning to offer Bachelor degrees in high need areas such as
nursing, radiology, interior design, sustainable practices, IT, and international business.
 Community and technical colleges offer numerous degrees and certificates in a wide
variety of academic professional and technical fields.
Who Can Apply? Both community colleges and technical colleges have the same requirements
- see technical colleges above.
Cost: Both community colleges and technical colleges are similar – see technical colleges
above.
Upside:
 Classes are often smaller compared to those at a large university.
 Classes are offered during the day or evening, to accommodate work schedules.
 If you don’t have the test scores or GPA to get into a four year college, this is a
chance to build up your academic skills and then transfer to a four year school.
 Faculty members are expert instructors, known for teaching and meeting students
at the point of their individual needs, regardless of age, sex, race, current job
status, or previous academic preparation.
 If you aren’t sure about going to college, this is a great place for career
exploration.
Downside: Can lack the big college atmosphere and experience that some students want.
Athletics are minimal compared to a major university.
FOUR YEAR COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES (Public or Private)
Description: Colleges and universities offer many programs of study. They may provide a
liberal arts education or more specific specialization such as nursing or engineering. They are
funded in part by state money.
The difference between a college and a university is that colleges only offer bachelor (4 year)
degree programs. Universities offer bachelor degrees in addition to master and doctoral degrees.
College professors see teaching as their primary responsibility and classes tend to be smaller than
those in universities. University professors are usually involved in both teaching and research.
Graduate students may help teach some of the classes at universities. Universities often offer
more extensive resources than smaller colleges in terms of libraries, laboratories, and athletic
programs.
Programs: Bachelor degree (4 year)
Master degree
Doctoral or PhD degree
Who Can Apply? Students must complete their CADR (Core College Admissions
Requirements) in high school, plus at least two years of the same foreign language.
Cost: Costs for colleges and universities vary depending on the type of institution (public or
private) and other factors such as housing, books and supplies, and travel expenses.
Upside:
 Four year colleges and universities provide a broad experience that allows students to get
a general education experience as well as focus on particular fields.
 Many careers require a BA or BS (Bachelor of Art or Science) from a four year
university as a minimum education requirement for entry level positions.
 Four year colleges and universities usually provide on-campus housing options, large
athletic programs, a variety of campus activities, and career placement help at graduation.
Downside:
 More costly than two year community colleges.
 Students may feel “lost” in larger four year universities.
PUBLIC
Colleges/Universities in state:
Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University, Evergreen State College,
University of Washington, Washington State University and Western Washington University
Colleges and Universities look at:
 Grades
 Essay or personal statement
 Test scores for SAT/and or ACT
 Class rank
 Teacher/counselor recommendation letters
 Extracurricular activities, including volunteer work, jobs, clubs, sports
 Leadership
PRIVATE (Independent)
Description: Most private colleges and universities are independent and are funded by tuition,
endowments, gifts and bequests or corporate foundation grants.
Cost: Depending on the school, costs may be very high. Although private schools often offer the
best financial aid.
Upside: Lower teacher to student ratio resulting in more individual attention
Schools tend to be smaller, providing more opportunities for student involvement
Have the latest equipment, textbooks and up-to-date buildings
Offer specialized degrees
Downside: Usually more expensive than public universities.
OUT OF STATE SCHOOLS

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Out of state tuition for public schools TRIPLES when you go out-of-state.
It is possible to establish residency in the new state, which generally takes at least a year.
Name: _________________________________
Rebel Connection Teacher: _______________________________
“A Matter of Degrees…and More”
Worksheet
1. Name the five major branches of the military:
a. ______________________________
d.________________________________
b. ______________________________
e.________________________________
c. ______________________________
2. Training time for an apprentice is divided between ___________________ and _________________.
3. Once an apprentice completes training they become a journey-level craft person which allows them to
work _____________________________________.
4. A career college provides training for only a _______________ type of career.
5. Name the five technical colleges in Washington State:
a. _______________________________________
b. _______________________________________
c. _______________________________________
d. _______________________________________
e. _______________________________________
6. Technical/community colleges in our state cost less because they are _____________________________.
7. The requirements to get into a community/technical college are:
__________________________ - OR - _____________________________________________.
8. The only test you must take to get into a community/technical college is a _________________ test, which
covers ____________________, ______________________ and ________________________.
9. List four reasons why someone might choose to go to a community college for their first two years instead
of going straight to a four-year college:
a._______________________________________________________________________________
b._______________________________________________________________________________
c._______________________________________________________________________________
d._______________________________________________________________________________
10. Bellevue Community College is now Bellevue College, why are community/technical colleges changing
their names?
___________________________________________________________________________________
11. What is the percentage of Washington state students who earn a Bachelor’s degree who start at a
community college? _________%
12. What is the difference between a college and a university?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
13. Name the six public colleges/universities in our state (public means schools that are funded by the state):
a.________________________________
b._______________________________
c.________________________________
d._______________________________
e.________________________________
f._______________________________
14. List three differences between public and private college/universities:
a. _______________________________________
b. _______________________________________
c. _______________________________________
15. Admittance to a public or private college requires either the _________ or the ______ test.
16. What career(s) are you are interested in? How much education will that take?
Careers of Interest
Type of Degree/Training Needed
The next step is for you to decide which post high school option you want to research – military,
apprenticeship or college. Complete the appropriate worksheet and turn it into your Rebel Connection
teacher by Nov. 13th.
If you have any questions stop by the CRC.