Thank you for your interest in the Aquarium Science Program at Oregon Coast Community College!

The Aquarium Science Program was established based on the need for skilled workers entering into the aquatic animal care profession.  Individuals completing their Aquarium Science studies will be prepared to work in public aquariums/zoos, aquaculture facilities, hatcheries, research facilities using aquarium systems, and ornamental fish enterprises.  College faculty and staff members are committed to provide program students with the in-depth training and educational support through academic and technical, hands-on experiences in aquatic animal husbandry.

The college offers two options of study in this discipline: 1) a two-year Associates of Applied Science degree OR 2) a one-year Certificate of Completion which is ONLY available to individuals who have earned a bachelors degree or higher in a life science discipline (e.g. Biology, Marine Biology, etc.).

Admission into the program is competitive and each applicant is evaluated on several criteria (see below).  Our goal is to establish an admission process that is reasonable and fair.  Contact Erica Todd, Student Success Coach 541-867-8503 or Erica.Todd@oregoncoast.edu for assistance with college admissions or if you are currently a student at OCCC seeking to transfer applicable student records onto the Aquarium Science application. For more information about career options and program specifics please contact the AQS Director Larry.Boles@oregoncoast.edu

The program application period for the 2025-26 academic year is open from January 6, 2025 through 5pm pacific time on  March 14, 2025. Applications will be reviewed following the deadline. 

Late applicantions are considered on a "space available" basis only and may be placed on a waiting list for the following year.  

 

Selection Criteria

Admission into the Aquarium Science Program is competitive.  Academic performance is not the sole criterion for admission into the College or Program.  The College may evaluate a person's behavior, experience, and background to determine their ability to maintain the standards  professional conduct expected at the College.  An evaluation may take into consideration current behavior and performance as well as past experiences and actions.  Simply qualifying for admission does not guarantee admission to the College or Program.

Applications to the Aquarium Science Program are evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Grade Point Average (GPA) and courses completed.

2. Work or volunteer experience involving animal care.

3. The written experiential assessment essay.

4. Letter of recommendation from one professional or academic source.

5. Zoom interview evaluation (to be scheduled when all application materials have been received).

** Please note that final acceptance into the Aquarium Science Program will be dependent on successfully passing a background check, which is required to work at many of our partner institutions. Applicants with questions about this step should contact the Program Director, Larry.Boles@oregoncoast.edu

Application Process

 Please read all steps carefully before starting.  

1. Complete the online Oregon Coast Community College application form unless you are already enrolled at OCCC.  Click here to fill out the OCCC application form. 

2. A free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) student aid report is optional but highly recommended. Go to fafsa.gov to fill out a FAFSA report form. This webpage provides helpful information about financial aid.

Aquarium Science Program Application

Applicants must prepare and submit the following to the Aquarium Science admissions process:

1. A current resume (PDF format preferred). Please name your file "lastname.pdf" so it can be tracked. Email the file to the program director Larry.Boles@oregoncoast.edu 

2. The Written Experiential Assessment (see section below for details). Email the file to the program director Larry.Boles@oregoncoast.edu

3. One letter of recommendation from professional/academic sources. Email the file to the program director Larry.Boles@oregoncoast.edu 

4. Official transcripts (include high school transcripts if no college courses have been taken). Official high school and college transcripts must come directly from the institution(s) sending them.  Transcripts should be sent directly to the Registrars office registrar@oregoncoast.edu

5. To be accepted into the AAS of Aquarium Science Program students must meet the following academic requirements:

• Have the necessary skills to read at college level by meeting subject area requirements for (RD115).
• Have the necessary skills to be ready to begin college level writing (WR121).
• Have the necessary skills to begin intermediate algebra (MTH95) or higher.

Placement is determined with the AQS academic advisor by using assessments and discussion of transcripts (high school and/or college), GPA and grades, test scores and any other academic or life experiences that may help determine placement.

Sign up for an advising appointment in order to discuss your placement into the Aquarium Science program. Student success is our goal. We want to ensure that you are taking classes that match with your academic abilities. 

 

The application period will open on 01/06/25  and close 3/14/25. Application review will begin shortly thereafter.  Late admissions will be considered on a space-available process.

Written Experiential Assessment

As part of the Aquarium Science Program application, you must complete the following writing assignment.  Please address your experience in each category keeping in mind how you would make a positive contribution to OCCC. Respond to all five questions and limit your response to approximatley 100 words per answer.

To complete the assessment:

1. Type your name at the top of the document.

2. At the top of each response, type the words "Response to Question #". This ensures that each response is identified with the appropriate question.  Responses do not have to be on separate pages.

3. Type your responses using Arial or Calibri 12 pt. font, double-spaced and left-hand justified. Do not include watermarks, borders, shading, pictures, clip art, word art, letterhead, footnotes, etc.

4. Please use your last name as part of the file name, for instance "Boles_questions.pdf". 

Program faculty and staff will score each response on objective criteria.  Scoring is based on the merit of each response and is not compared to other answers. Please submit the document to the Program Director Larry.Boles@oregoncoast.edu

Answer each of the following questions according to the criteria outlined above:

Program staff will score each response on objective criteria.  Scoring is based on the merit of each response and is not compared to other answers.  The Written Experiential Assessment will be worth 25% of the total maximum application points.

Answer each of the following questions according to the criteria outlined above:

1. Time management: The Aquarium Science program involves group projects and assignments from multiple classes while also providing animal care.  What tools or techniques do you use to manage responsibilities in your life. How do you prioritize when you have several assignments or duties?

2. Dealing with adversity: Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to address this challenge.  Include whether you turned to anyone in facing that challenge, the role that person played, and what you learned about yourself through the process.

3. Handling systemic challenges: Describe your experiences facing or witnessing discrimination. Tell how you responded and what you learned from those experiences and how they have prepared you to contribute to the OCCC community.

4. Future Goals: Articulate the career or future goals you have established for yourself and outline how the Aquarium Science program fits into your strategy for accomplishing these goals.

5. Task commitment: Describe a situation in which you worked to see a difficult task or commitment to completion.  Give examples of how your work ethic and diligence made you successful.