Major Related Programs

Most Major Related Programs (MRP) help students prepare to transfer into high demand bachelor’s degree programs that require specific courses in the first two years. Business, biology, engineering and nursing are a few examples. Each MRP is based one of the statewide transfer agreements: Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) or the Associate in Science-Transfer (AS-T) and can reduce the time it takes to complete a specific bachelor degree pathway.

Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA)-Based Major Related Programs

• Associate in Biology DTA/MRP
  Approved by public and independent universities in 2009.
• Associate in Business DTA/MRP
  Approved by public and independent universities in 2006 (revised June 6, 2017).
• Associate in Computer Science DTA/MRP
  Approved spring 2016.
• Associate in Construction Management DTA/MRP 
  Approved spring 2008 by University of Washington, Washington State University, Central Washington University and Eastern Washington University.
• Associate in Music DTA/MRP
  Approved spring 2016.
• Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP
  Approved by public and independent universities in spring 2014.
• Practical Nursing to Associate in Nursing DTA/MRP
  Approved spring 2022.
• Practical Nursing to Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN)
  Approved spring 2022.
• Associate in Pre-Nursing DTA/MRP
  Approved by public and independent universities in spring 2005.
• Associate in Technology DTA/MRP - eliminated June 30, 2017 (two-year grace period through June 30, 2019)

DTA-Based Pre-Teacher Preparation Programs

• Associate in Math Education-DTA/MRP
  Approved by public universities in 2003.

Associate in Science-Transfer (AS-T)-Based Major Related Programs – Track 2

Major-Related Programs (MRP) help prepare students for their junior year as they pursue a bachelor’s degree. MRPs outline the courses students need to be well-prepared for upper-division courses upon transfer.

Engineering MRP Pathways

Engineering AS-T Track 2 MRP pathways are for students preparing for engineering majors at Washington universities. These pathways are:

• AS-T Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering MRP
• AS-T Civil and Mechanical Engineering MRP
• AS-T Computer and Electrical Engineering MRP
• AS-T Material Science and Manufacturing Engineering MRP

Engineering Technology MRP Pathways

Engineering Technology MRP is for students preparing for industrial/mechanical technologies and mechanical/electrical/computer engineering technology majors at Central Washington University, Eastern Washington University and Western Washington University. These pathways are:

• AS-T EET/CTE (Electronics Engineering Tech Computer Engineering Tech) MRP
• AS-T MET (Mechanical Engineering Tech) MRP

Criteria for Creating Major Related Programs

The Joint Transfer Council established criteria to identify whether to develop an MRP for a given major. An MRP will be considered when the following apply:

• The number of courses specified as preparation for the major and needed in the first two years is substantial.
• Several institutions award the bachelor’s degree in the field.
• A credit gap exists: Total number of credits earned by transfer students who graduate is substantially higher than credits earned by students who started at a baccalaureate institution.
• Most transfer students show a pattern of under-preparation.
• The major is in high demand by students.