Whatcom Launches Allied Health Degree

The new Associate of Science in Allied Health prepares students for multiple healthcare careers and offers a transfer path to a bachelor's degree.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Financial Aid

Bold vector editorial illustration of pale stone steps branching from a base block toward a doorway, in coral, teal, and cream, evoking a clearer route into healthcare training. — Whatcom Community College launched an Associate of Science in Allied Health degree that prepares students for nursing, dental hygiene, physical therapy and other healthcare careers, with a transfer path to UW Bothell. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Whatcom Community College has launched an Associate of Science in Allied Health degree designed to prepare students for careers in nursing, dental hygiene, medical assisting, radiologic technology, physical therapy, social work, substance use treatment, and veterinary care. The program was developed with Bellingham Technical College and the University of Washington Bothell.

Why it matters

The degree is intended to ease challenges students face in completing prerequisite courses, maintaining financial aid eligibility, and navigating complex advising requirements. It gives Bellingham-area students a clearer route into healthcare fields.

Eligible healthcare professionals may receive up to 15 credits for prior learning and credentials, and some licensed professionals may qualify for up to 45 additional transfer credits toward a bachelor's degree. The source does not report enrollment numbers or program costs.

The players

Whatcom Community College

A public two-year college in Bellingham, Washington, that launched the Associate of Science in Allied Health degree.

University of Washington Bothell

A branch campus of the University of Washington that is the receiving institution for the allied health transfer pathway into its Bachelor of Health Studies program.

Bellingham Technical College

A public technical college in Bellingham, Washington, that partnered in developing the allied health degree.

The details

The degree includes introductory healthcare career courses along with CPR and first aid certifications. Under a transfer agreement, completers can move into UW Bothell's Bachelor of Health Studies program with junior standing.

Article on the allied health degree launch was published November 5, 2026.

Roadmap

The new degree builds a formal feeder pathway into UW Bothell's Bachelor of Health Studies program, extending an existing four-year option downward to the community college level. It positions regional two-year colleges as entry points for healthcare careers that historically required transferring with credits that did not align.

Prospective students who already hold healthcare licenses or certificates should ask advisors about the up-to-15 prior learning credits and up-to-45 transfer credits before enrolling. Planning the transfer sequence early can help preserve financial aid eligibility while moving toward a bachelor's degree.

The takeaway

Healthcare-career seekers in Bellingham can start with a two-year allied health degree and carry those credits toward a UW Bothell bachelor's, reducing the risk of lost credits during transfer.