Application Process

We admit students into the Child, Youth, and Family Studies - Bachelor of Applied Science (CYFS-BAS) program through a holistic application evaluation. Admission is determined by reviewing several factors: coursework completed, grade point average (GPA), the application essay, and work experience.

Prior to the start of the CYFS-BAS program, you will have:

• Completed* an Associate of Applied Science - Transfer (AAS-T) degree, or equivalent, in one of the following fields of study**:
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Human Services
  • Addiction Studies
  • Family Support Studies
• Earned a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA and a minimum grade point of 2.0 in core courses of their specified field of study (i.e., proficiency courses).

*Note: A completed AAS-T is not required to apply to the program. You can apply if you are scheduled to complete your AAS-T by Summer 2023. You are eligible to apply if you are scheduled to complete the final course or two for your AAS-T as the next CYFS-BAS cohort starts.

**If you are interested in the CYFS-BAS, please schedule an appointment with our CYFS Program Manager to determine your eligibility. While there is a "typical" pathway to the program, we consider applications from students of various educational backgrounds.

You must submit an application essay of 500-1000 words (1-2 pages) that addresses the prompt below:

1. The CYFS-BAS is an interdisciplinary program grounded in social justice, equity, and inclusion. Understanding that, describe how you plan to use this degree to reach your future goals.
   
   
2. Explain what you learned from practicum, internship, volunteer, and/or work experiences and how this applies to your professional career.

Your application essay provides an opportunity for us to see your goals in the early childhood education or human services field and your career plans related to child, youth, and family studies.

Your application essay will be evaluated on the content of your written statement. To write a successful essay:

• Answer each essay prompt completely. Be sure to address each of them using details and examples from your experiences.
  
  
• Before you submit your application essay, review your work. Make sure your response is clear, concise, and representative of your goals, experiences, strengths, knowledge, and abilities.

This application essay is used in our review process to evaluate the following criteria:

• Ability to organize thoughts related to the prompt.
  
  
• Ability to express yourself clearly in writing (Note: Our review of the application will not grade or score spelling, punctuation, or grammar. However, you should take care in preparing your essay and check for mistakes.)
  
  
• Ability to write professionally and concisely. 

We have developed an Application Essay Guide to help you construct an essay that will best share information with our admissions committee about your strengths as an applicant.

If you need assistance or support with your application essay, you may visit Edmonds College's Writing Center at the Learning Support Center or use eTutoring for online writing assistance. Non-Edmonds College students may email Jeremiah Roland at jeremiah.roland@edmonds.edu for access to eTutoring.

Checklist:

1. Meet with the program manager to determine program eligibility.
   • Appointment Link
2. (Skip to Step 3 if you are a current Edmonds Student) Apply to Edmonds College
   • If you are currently enrolled at a Washington State Community or Technical College, please access your state application and add Edmonds College. This will prompt our Enrollment Services Office to activate your current ctcLink ID number for Edmonds.
     
     
   • If you have never been enrolled at a Washington State Community or Technical College or were enrolled prior to ctcLink, you will apply to Edmonds College as a new student. When completing the application, make the listed selections in each of the following fields:
     • Program: Professional Technical
     • Degree or Certificate I am seeking: Undecided Professional Tech
3. Complete the Online CYFS-BAS Application Form.
   • This application will collect information in the following sections: demographics, academic history, unofficial transcript(s), practicum/ internship/volunteer experience, employment experience, and your application essay.
     
     
   • Be prepared to upload the following to the application: unofficial transcript(s), resume, and application essay. Files in pdf format are preferred.
     
     
   • You may choose to upload additional information and details of unpaid practicum, internship, or volunteer experience(s).
4. Pay the $25.00 non-refundable application fee through CTCLink.
   
   
5. Explore funding for your CYFS-BAS.
   • Federal Financial Aid
     • Edmonds College Financial Aid Services
   • Early Achievers Scholarship (Child Care Aware Washington)
     • For students with an Early Childhood Education background working at an Early Achievers site
   • Tuition Waivers
     • Washington State and educational employees may be eligible for a tuition waiver, as outlined in RCW 28B.15.558 of the Washington State Legislature. If you hope to use the tuition waiver for the CYFS-BAS program, please reach out to cyfs@edmonds.edu for further discussion and details.
   • Worker Retraining Program
     
     
   • VA Educational Benefits