Renton Technical College: Empowering Careers Through Specialized Training

Renton Technical College (RTC), located in Renton, Washington, is a public community college dedicated to providing specialized professional and technical training programs. With a focus on equipping individuals with the skills needed for today's workforce, RTC offers a variety of programs designed to lead directly to employment or career advancement.

Mission and Focus

RTC's primary mission is to provide training, retraining, and skills upgrading for employment in occupations that do not require a baccalaureate (or higher) degree. The college caters to individuals of various ages and backgrounds, offering accessible entry points throughout the school year. In most cases, RTC programs accept students with or without a high school diploma.

Industry-Driven Programs

To ensure program relevance and alignment with industry needs, Renton Technical College utilizes advisory committees. These committees, comprised of management and labor representatives, play a crucial role in shaping program emphasis. Their responsibilities include recommending instructors, assessing supplies, materials, and equipment, assisting in job placement, evaluating courses, and specifying training needs.

Renton Technical College strives to ensure that its programs are relevant and include skills required for success in employment. All instructors are experienced in the fields they teach.

Hands-on Learning and Cooperative Work Experience

RTC emphasizes practical, hands-on learning experiences. Many job training programs offer a Cooperative Work Experience option, blending realistic training settings with job placement and workplace success. With instructor approval, students can receive credit for employment or internships appropriate to their training. In some cases, employers may even pay a wage. To complete course competencies, students must remain with the training program. This partnership benefits students, the college, and local employers.

Academic Programs and Degrees

Renton Technical College offers a range of academic programs, including:

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree: This degree program is designed to lead individuals directly to employment in a specific career. General Education courses are an important component of the AAS degree option. All students enrolled in an AAS degree program must complete core course requirements for the Certificate of Completion and a minimum of 20 credits of prescribed General Education classes. All AAS degree programs are approved by the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
Associate of Applied Science-Transfer (AAS-T) degree: This degree facilitates transfer to some institutions. However, accepting credits is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Effective academic planning for those who think they may want to transfer includes a complete understanding of how the receiving institution will evaluate courses taken at RTC. It is recommended to discuss your proposed educational plan with the receiving institutions and ask for an evaluation of credits. Not all courses you take will be directly transferable; check with the receiving institution about what options may be available to you to receive credit for non-transferring courses.
Direct Transfer Agreement (DTA) associate degree: This degree is designed to transfer to most Bachelor of Arts degrees at all four-year colleges and universities in Washington state.
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS): All BAS students are required to take 60 credits of general education coursework, a minimum of 30 credits which are often satisfied at the Associate degree level, as confirmed by entrance requirements. The remaining credits will be satisfied over the course of the two-year BAS program.

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General Educational Development (GED) certificate: This certificate is issued to an individual who successfully completes the General Education Development Test.
High School Diploma: The college awards a high school diploma through the College & Career Pathways’ High School Completion Program to adults 21 and over who demonstrate competencies in reading, writing and math contextualized in science, history, government, occupational studies, and digital literacy.

General Education Requirements

General Education requirements vary for each program. Entry into General Education courses in writing and math are determined according to the College’s course placement process. Students must take the ACCUPLACER test prior to enrolling in some General Education courses. Students can improve their basic skills to be successful in technical programs, obtain employment, qualify for job promotions, and improve the quality of their personal lives.

Course Scheduling and Delivery

Classes are scheduled at convenient times - morning, afternoon, and evening - to meet student needs. Hybrid and online options are also available.

Student Life and Support Services

Renton Technical College offers a variety of student support services, including:

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Employment services for students
Credit for life experiences
Academic/career counseling service
Placement services for completers
On-campus day care for students' children (N/A)

Admissions and Enrollment

Renton Technical College has an open admissions policy. For Fall 2023, the total entering student population was 754. In Fall 2022, the full-time enrollment was 1,069 and the part-time enrollment was 2,145. The college utilizes a quarter-based academic year, and the student-faculty ratio is 9-to-1.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For the 2020-2021 academic year, in-state tuition and fees were $5,671, while out-of-state tuition and fees were $6,131. The application fee is $30. At Renton Technical College, 30 percent of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid and the average scholarship or grant award is $6,315.

Areas of Study

Students can earn degrees and certificates in 48 different fields. Popular programs include Computer Science, Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician, and Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.

History

In 1941, Renton Technical College came into existence as a war production school. After the war, the college became a state-funded vocational school with the mission of assisting industry in converting from a war-time to a peace-time economy. In 1965, the college moved to a central campus comprising three new buildings. Since 1971, the college has grown to nearly 400,000 square feet and the student body has increased 500 percent. The original three buildings have been remodeled and expanded, 10 new structures have been built, four portables have been added, and the college has acquired numerous off-campus facilities. The growth of the central campus has enabled the college to improve and expand training in the growing industries of health, service, and information technology - especially those fields that are affected by new technologies. The second 50 years, beginning in 1991, were marked by the conversion of the state's vocational-technical institutes to technical colleges. As part of this change, governance was shifted to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and authorization was given to grant two year, sub-baccalaureate degrees and certificates of completion. Degrees are awarded in 36 preparatory programs, in apprenticeship and through three general occupational degree programs.

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