Renton Technical College (RTC) will offer its first bachelor’s degree program option in winter 2015. Students will be able to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Application Development.

After a rigorous and competitive application process, RTC in September was awarded $98,326 to develop an applied baccalaureate degree in a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) area.  The State Board of Community and Technical Colleges granted final approval to this degree at their regular meeting on June 19.

This new baccalaureate degree will meet the education goals of students who have earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Science from RTC or an Information Technology degree from another regionally accredited institution. This new degree will also provide a seamless pathway for high school students.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to partner with the Renton, Kent, and Issaquah School Districts to provide an educational pathway for our students to achieve a bachelor’s degree in the high-demand field of software development,” RTC President Steve Hanson said in a press release.

Graduates from this degree program will have a deep technical foundation in advanced computer science topics, such as: software development, enterprise application, database design, web development and systems analysis. The classes will maximize the use of online curriculum, while offering some elements on campus, in the classroom, for hands-on labs and in-depth discussions.

RTC was recently identified as one of the top 150 community colleges in the country, by the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program. The college has been accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities since 1978.  Renton Technical College prepares a diverse student population for work, fulfilling the employment needs of individuals, business and industry.