Getting Started at BC
New students must Apply for general admission to Bellevue College ($66 fee)
Returning BC students do not need to re-apply and will just need to activate their ctcLink account unless they fit into one of the situations below:
- Applied before 2019 and never enrolled for classes, or
- Last enrolled in classes before 2015, or
- Took part in a program that did not collect residency information. These programs include:
- Non-credit community or continuing education classes,
- College in the High School,
- CTE/Tech Prep, and
- Running Start 2019 or earlier, and
- Career Education Options (CEO) 2021 or earlier.
However, If you last attended the college (enrolled for classes) more than four quarters ago, submit a term activation request form so we can activate your account.
The bachelor’s degree is a selective admissions program. When students are eligible to start on the BAS they will need to fill out a separate application for consideration.
This depends on student’s previous education and/or applicable transfer credits. Students should work with an advisor or program manager to get a customized education plan to complete the degree or pathway of their choice.
In order to register for their first quarter at BC new students will need to fill out a form verifying that they have taken the course prerequisites elsewhere OR take a math and english placement exam through the Testing Center.
Course Clearing Prerequisite Form Instructions:
- Select the appropriate form:
- If clearing prerequisites for classes other than math & English, students will select the courses they need to register for (if not listed, they can select “other” and manually type the course in)
- Upload an unofficial transcript from the college where they completed the prerequisite course
It can take 3-5 days for Evaluations to clear course prerequisites so that students are able to register for their first classes. The Student Central Processing Dashboard should be used to check for current updates on processing prerequisite requests and transferring/evaluating credits.
After students are registered for their first quarter at Bellevue College they should follow the steps to officially transfer their credits in.
Common ctcLink errors students experience when trying to register:
- When a box pops up asking for a permission code ignore it and click “save”. The system will always ask for a permission code even if students don’t need one.
- If the quarter you are trying to register for is not an option, you may need to fill out the Term Quarter Activation Request Form. This might be because:
- You last took a class at Bellevue College more than four quarters ago, or
- You applied for an earlier quarter but did not enroll until the next quarter, or
- You now want to enroll for an earlier quarter than what you indicated on your admission application
- ctcLink Desktop Version error: Delete all the courses out of shopping cart, then search and register for the classes (without adding to cart first)
- Students should check and make sure there are no holds on their account blocking them from registering (i.e. late fees, vaccine attestation, etc.)
Transfer Credits
Students should not start the process to officially transfer credits into Bellevue College until they are registered for their first class(es) unless they are going straight into the bachelors program. Once registered students should follow the steps below:
- Submit official transcript(s) to Bellevue College
- Check “Advisor Notes” on your ctcLink account to verify that your official transcript has been received
- Only after you see that your transcript has been received will you then fill out a transfer credit request form where you will select the degree you are pursuing. This creates a ticket to evaluations to apply your transfer credits to the appropriate degree pathway (Note: Each time you pursue a new credential at Bellevue College you will need to fill out this form again)
- If programming or technical course substitutions have been approved by the program chair, please contact the program manager after credits have been officially transferred in so that they can fill out a substitution form
It can take six to eight weeks for credits to officially transfer.
Learn more information on transferring in outside credits and international transcripts https://www.bellevuecollege.edu/transfer/.
Yes, on an unofficial basis. It is recommended that prospective students meet with an advisor or program manager to get their transcripts reviewed and see what outside credits can be applied towards their degree pathway.
Students can see where the Evaluations office is at in terms of processing applications, clearing course prerequisites, math/english placement, transfer credit evaluation and graduation on the Student Central Processing Dashboard.
In order for a course to be considered an “equivalent course” and qualify as a course substitution, it must overlap 51% or more on course content and outcomes. Students may be asked to provide course descriptions and/or syllabi to determine if it is an appropriate substitution.
Students will work with the program manager and program chair to evaluate transfer credits and possible course equivalencies. If a course substitution has been approved by the program chair, please contact the program manager after credits have been officially transferred in so that they can fill out a substitution form.
If students have prior work experience or knowledge of a particular course, they may qualify to take an exam demonstrating proficiency rather than taking the class. Students working towards the BAS Software Development degree may qualify to take waiver exams or course challenges for the following classes:
- BUSIT 103
- DEV 108
- DEV 109
- DEV 110
- DEV 120
- DEV 128
The main differentiation between the course challenge and the waiver exam is credit vs. non-credit. The best option is dependent upon the students individual academic goals.
Course Challenge (For Credit):
If a student is pursuing a credential/degree and does not have any credits that can be substituted for the course requirement, the student will need to take the course challenge exam to get the credit (costs 40% of tuition). As long as the student passes the exam they will be awarded the credit.
Example: A student has been working in the field as a programmer and learned C# on their own. Although they already have the knowledge of DEV 110 course, they are working towards the AAS-T Software Development degree and still need credit for the class in order to graduate. This student would take the course challenge exam.
Waiver Exam (No Credit):
If a student is pursuing a credential/degree and has old credits that can be substituted for the course requirement, or does not need the credit for a particular class to achieve their academic goals.
Example: A student has been working in the field as a programmer and learned C# on their own. They already have the knowledge of DEV 110 course, and would like entry into DEV 120 (which requires DEV 110 as a prerequisite). They are “cherry-picking” courses for continuing education and are not pursuing a credential/degree which requires DEV 110 to graduate. This student would take the waiver exam.
To review study guides and schedule an exam please contact the program manager.
Associate (AAS-T) Degree Program Questions
Students can start on the AAS-T program any quarter (fall, winter, spring or summer) after the general admission process is complete. Since it can take 7-10 days for applications to process, students should review submission deadlines on the academic calendar.
Yes. You will be able to build on your body of knowledge if certain courses are taken before others. Your sequence of courses will vary depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time and on your previous education. Your program manager will help you develop an individualized academic plan based on course offerings that makes sense for your schedule.
The AAS-T degree is a total of 90 credits and can be completed in six quarters at a full-time pace, typically three courses each quarter. Individual pacing is possible, but students should plan on taking at least one course each quarter so that the material remains current and relevant.
Tuition for this state-support program follows the general Bellevue College tuition rates for lower division courses: Tuition & Fees.
Yes, you may qualify. Please be aware that there are deadlines that need to be met in order to qualify: Financial Aid.
Course offerings will consist of a mix of online, on-ground, and hybrid course modalities and vary from quarter to quarter depending on demand and instructor availability. Some programs may offer more online options than others. Please contact the program manager for more details on course modalities.
Yes. Students will have completed all of the prerequisites required to be eligible for admission. However, each associate (AAS-T) degree pathway prepares students for a specific BAS degree program. For more information on prerequisite requirements and eligibility, please visit the BAS websites.
Current Degree Pathways:
- AAS-T Software Development, Application Development track > BAS Software Development, Application Development concentration
- AAS-T Software Development, Artificial Intelligence track > BAS Software Development, Artificial Intelligence concentration
- AAS-T Software Development, Game Development track > BAS Software Development, Application Development concentration (will be missing 15 credits of prerequisites)
Yes. You can apply when the application opens in January. Any admission decision would be contingent upon your completion of prerequisite courses with acceptable GPA as described in the admission requirements.
Yes. If they meet appropriate prerequisites, students who have not been admitted to the program can register for up to 10 credits of coursework on a space-available basis after priority is given to students who have been admitted to the program. To find out if you qualify to take a course and receive a permission code, contact the Program Manager.
Yes. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) – a regional institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education – has granted Bellevue College accreditation both at the associate and baccalaureate level.
Yes. This is a state-supported program so it is eligible for state employee tuition waivers.
Our website contains the best information. You may also contact the Program Manager to discuss the program in more detail.
Bachelor’s (BAS) Degree Program Questions
We admit students into the BAS Software Development program in Fall and Winter quarters: BAS Software Development – Admissions.
Yes. Students must have an associate degree in an information technology or computer science related field from a regionally accredited institution, OR program prerequisites, OR equivalent credits that represent the combination of program admission required courses and other college-level credits.
Yes, you can find specific course prerequisites listed under the current course catalog:
Yes. If they meet appropriate prerequisites, students who have not been admitted to the program can register for up to 10 credits of coursework on a space-available basis after priority is given to students who have been admitted to the program. To find out if you qualify to take a course and receive a permission code, contact the Program Manager.
Yes. You can apply when the application opens in January. Any admission decision would be contingent upon your completion of prerequisite courses with acceptable GPA as described in the admission requirements.
Technology and math coursework will only be applied toward admission requirements if it was taken in the last five years. Other coursework (i.e. English, humanities, science) can be applied no matter the date completed.
Yes. You may qualify. Please be aware that there are deadlines that need to be met in order to qualify: Financial Aid.
Tuition for this state-support program follows the general Bellevue College tuition rates for upper division courses. There are some lower division courses that are part of the BAS program. These courses will be charged at the lower division rate: Tuition & Fees.
Students can complete the Artificial Intelligence program fully online if they choose. The Application Development concentration is a mix of online, on campus, and hybrid courses.
Yes. You will receive a letter advising you of additional courses you need to take or other ways to strengthen your application for the next time you apply.
Yes. You will be able to build on your body of knowledge if certain courses are taken before others. Your sequence of courses will vary depending on whether you attend full-time or part-time and on your previous education. Your program manager will help you develop an individualized academic plan based on course offerings that makes sense for your schedule.
No. If they share one BAS degree title, you can only select one area of concentration.
After admission, the BAS degree totals 90 credits and can be completed in six quarters at a full-time pace, typically three courses each quarter. Individual pacing is possible, but students should plan on taking at least one course each quarter so that the material remains current and relevant.
Yes. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) – a regional institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education – has granted Bellevue College accreditation both at the associate and baccalaureate level.
Yes. This is a state-supported program so it is eligible for state employee tuition waivers.
Our website contains the best information. You may also contact the Program Manager to discuss the program in more detail.
Graduation
Students are ready to apply for graduation as soon as they register for their last course(s). It is recommended to meet with an advisor or program manager beforehand to do an audit and make sure all degree requirements are completed. Students can review graduation application deadlines and apply on the graduation website.
The Graduation Office will review students application after the end of the quarter. It usually takes several weeks after finals to review all degrees. In the meantime, if students have questions about their eligibility, they should reach out to an Academic Advisor or Program Manager and continue to check the Student Central Processing Dashboard for updates.
Students who are qualified to graduate will see their degree posted to their unofficial transcript, which can be viewed online. Please note students will not get notified when their degree is awarded, so students should continue checking their unofficial transcript until they see it posted.
After their degree is awarded, students will receive a digital diploma through Parchment. The paper diplomas will take several months to print and mail. If students need to show proof of graduation beforehand, they should use their official transcript. If students lost their diploma and need a replacement, they can request a diploma replacement online.
Additional questions can be answered through Graduation FAQs.
Students are invited to participate in the Commencement Ceremony if they complete or apply for a degree that is 20 credits or more and
- Graduated in Fall or Winter, or
- Applied for graduation in Spring or Summer.
The ceremony takes place before grades are final for Spring, and before the start of Summer quarter. This means Spring and Summer applicants attend the ceremony before their graduation is official: Commencement Ceremony and Graduation FAQs.
Last Updated March 18, 2024