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Skills for Work. Skills for Life.

Occupational & Life Skills Bellevue College (OLSBC) is an associate degree program for students with learning disabilities.

In our uniquely supportive skills-based program, students apply academic knowledge through community activities, service learning and social experiences. Students identify a career pathway, gain marketable, workplace-ready competencies, develop better interpersonal skills and complete an internship in alignment with their career goals.


 OLS student stands in the Microsoft Visitor Center on a community activity. Text  reads "Discover OLS" a

See what life is like as an OLSBC student

 two OLS students working together in class. text reads"Information Sessions"

Learn more from our students and staff

OLS Graduate smiling with her arms in the air in a graduation cap and gown. text reads "Apply"

Submit your application


Graphic of a green circle with year 2006 inside, representing the year the OLS program received accredidation

Our program was founded over 15 years ago by a group of parents and Bellevue College staff. Bellevue College was approved to offer an Associate Degree in Occupational and Life Skills (OLS) in 2006.

graphic of number 16

To allow for more individualized support, we have an average of 16 students per class. Up to 36 students are admitted each fall.

graphic of green circle with the number 85 inside, representing the percentage of OLS graduates who are employed after gradaution.

85% of our graduates are employed or continuing their education after graduation, higher than the national employment rate for workers with disabilities. 30% enjoy upward mobility in their career.

graphic of green circle with the number 200 inside, representing the number of hours OLS students do for their internships.

Students complete a 200-hour
internship with a local business in the student’s chosen career path. We’ve partnered with over 85 local businesses since 2006.

Website manager is Beth Crouse.