WWU / Fairhaven College of Interdiscipinary Studies
The Upside-Down Degree
Turn your ATA or AAS Degree from community college into a full Bachelor of Arts Degree.
The usual route to a BA degree calls for general education in the first two years and specialization in the last two years. Fairhaven's Upside-Down BA program gives selected students an option to reverse this process. Graduates of Washington state community colleges who hold the ATA, the AAS or other approved two-year technical degrees may apply to transfer their specializations to Fairhaven as the completed major. Stages 1 and 3 of Fairhaven's Core Curriculum and a minimum of 90 credits are then required for graduation. Students are expected to complete as much as possible of their elective credit at the upper-division level (course numbered 300 or above).
Applications for admission to the Upside-Down Program are reviewed on an individual basis, considering appropriateness for the BA and support available for upper-division enhancement of the technical degree's area of study.
Sample Degrees
Upside-Down degrees have been awarded recently from Fairhaven College in the following areas:
- Early Childhood Education
- Environmental Conservation Technician
- Graphic Design
- Human Services
- Paralegal Studies
Upside-Down Degree Required Coursework:
Stage 1: Exploratory Studies
- FAIR 101a, An Introduction to Interdisciplinary Study at Fairhaven College
- FAIR 201a, Critical and Reflective Inquiry
- FAIR 202a, Humanities and the Expressive Arts
- FAIR 203a, Social Relationships and Responsibility: Theories and Critiques
- FAIR 305a, Writing Portfolio and Transition Conference
- One 300 or 400 level course in each of the following areas, with the specific course in each area selected from a listing of approved "Upper Division Core Coursework":
Humanities and the Expressive Arts
Society and the Individual
Science and Our Place on the Planet
Stage 2: Concentrated Studies
Stage 2 is typically "Concentrated Studies," when Fairhaven concentrators file a self-designed Concentration.
Since Upside-Down Degree students have already completed specialized study, Stage 2 is not required.
Stage 3: Advanced Studies
- FAIR 403a, Advanced Seminar
Upside-Down Degree Planning for current students
Information regarding how to build a plan for your studies at Fairhaven, the Core Curriculum, Independent Study, and helpful questions to guide career and graduate school planning.
Upside-Down Program Graduation Requirements
A minimum of 90 credits is required for graduation with the Upside-Down BA, to include:
- 25 credits in Fairhaven College coursework (FAIR)
- a minimum of 60 credits of upper-division coursework (course numbered 300 or above)
- 2.0 minimum GPA in graded WWU coursework
- elective coursework under advisement
