Aquarium Science 
Program Application

AQS App

Apply here: Application Period open now through March 13, 2026

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 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 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:

  • A two-year Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degree, or
  • A one-year Certificate of Completion which is ONLY available to individuals who have earned a bachelor’s 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 based on the criteria described in the “Selection Criteria” section below.

Email Aquarium.Science@oregoncoast.edu for assistance with general college admissions or for more information about program specifics.

The program application period for the 2025-26 academic year, Fall 2026 Cohort, is open from January 6, 2025, through 5:00PM PST on March 13, 2026. Applications completed (all documents submitted) by the deadline will be given priority review for admission. 

Applications completed after the deadline will be added to a waitlist. Late applications are considered on a “space available” basis after all on-time applications have been reviewed and admission offers accepted. Late applications will be considered in the date order of when the application is considered complete. Please keep your information current as we may try to be contacting late applicants during the summer.

Selection Criteria

Oregon Coast Community College is an open-enrollment institution, However, admission into the Aquarium Science Program is competitive due to space restrictions in the teaching aquarium.  Academic performance is not the sole criterion for admission into the Program.  The College takes a more wholistic approach and assesses an applicant’s work performance, experience, and background to determine their ability to maintain the standards professional conduct expected at the College and in the field.  An evaluation may take into consideration current behavior and performance as well as past experiences and actions.  Simply meeting the minimum standards for admission does not guarantee admission to the Program.

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

  1. Grade Point Average (GPA) and courses completed. Science based courses carry more weight. Official transcripts are used to evaluate this information.
  2. Work or volunteer experience involving animal care in a community organization or at home. Direct animal care has more weight.
  3. The written experiential assessment essay. Questions are provided below.
  4. Letter of recommendation from one professional or academic source.
  5. Zoom interview (scheduled for on-time applicants with allapplication materials on file by the March deadline.)
  6. Successfully pass a background check, which is required to work at many of our partner institutions. Applicants with questions about this step should contact the Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs, Bruce.Clemetsen@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. 
  2. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is optional but highly recommended. Go to fafsa.gov to fill out the FAFSA. This webpage provides helpful information about financial aid.
Aquarium Science Program Application

Applicants must prepare and submit the following by the deadline to be considered for admission to the Aquarium Science. Send all files in .pdf format and name the file as indicated in the directions below:

  1. A current resume (PDF format). Please name your file “lastnameresume.pdf” so it can be tracked. Email the file to Aquarium.Science@oregoncoast.edu
  2. The Written Experiential Assessment (see section below for details). Please name your file “lastname_questions.pdf” Email the file to Aquarium.Science@oregoncoast.edu
  3. One letter of recommendation from professional or academic source. The should email the letter Aquarium.Science@oregoncoast.edu and clearly identify you by first and last name in the body of the letter so we can match it with your application. You may also send an email to us indicating who we should expect recommendation from. It is your responsibility to ensure the recommendation arrives by the deadline. We will not contact your recommender.
  4. Official transcripts (send 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 Registrar’s office, via Registrar@oregoncoast.edu . Please email Aquarium.Science@oregoncoast.edu a list of the school(s) sending transcripts to assist us in working with the Registrar. If you have OCCC coursework, you do not need to order an OCCC transcript.
  5. For Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree applicants: Aquarium Science students must meet the following academic requirements:
    • Have the necessary skills to read at college level.
    • Have the necessary skills to be ready to begin college level writing (WR121).
    • Have the necessary skills to begin intermediate algebra (MTH95) or higher.

OCCC uses a multiple measure assessment to determine if these skills are met and to ensure proper course placement. A Success Coach uses assessments and a 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 the above skill levels.

If you have will not have graduated with an associates or bachelor’s degree prior to starting this program, you are to sign up for an advising appointment with Blake Hagan 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. This placement determination is to occur before the application deadline. If you are a current OCCC student and have completed this process notify us at Aquarium.Science@oregoncoast.edu and we will validate your placement has been completed.

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 approximately 100 words per answer. Save the document in a .pdf file format.

To complete the assessment:

  1. Type your full name and date at the top of your document.
  2. Start each answer with “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 “Jones_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 Aquarium.Science@oregoncoast.edu

The Written Experiential Assessment is 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 working in the teaching aquarium to provide routine daily and weekly 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. 

Thank you for your submission!

Email us any time with further questions or concerns.