Enrollment

Admissions

Apply For Admission

To be admitted to BCCC the following steps must be completed as early as possible and well before the semester when admission is desired.

1. Submit an Admissions Application.
2. Submit appropriate academic credentials:

• An official high school transcript indicating date of graduation or
• General Equivalency Diploma GED® indicating scores and date of completion.
• An official college transcript from each college attended (if applicable)
• ACT and SAT scores (may exempt students from ACCUPLACER Placement Test)

Degree-Seeking Students must be age 16 or older.
Students under the age of 16 must contact the Director of Admissions for special admissions requirements.
The admissions application is available in the Admissions Office or on the BCCC website www.bccc.edu.

Visiting Students

Students currently enrolled at another college or university who wish to earn credits at Baltimore City Community College for transfer back to that college or university should obtain advance written approval from the appropriate academic department of the home college or university. Students should also bring official or unofficial copies of their transcripts to the Admissions Office to satisfy any prerequisite or co-requisite requirements.

Full-Time And Part-Time Status

Full-time students take a minimum of 12 credits each semester. Any student taking fewer than 12 credits is considered a part-time student.

Note: In order to complete the requirements for the associate degree in two years, students usually take 15-18 credits per semester, depending on the area of study.
Students seeking admission on F-1 student visa should refer to special admissions requirements under the International Students section.

The Test Center

Liberty Campus
Main Building, Room 57
410-462-7666

Multiple Measures Procedures

Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) accepts a variety of assessment measures to demonstrate college readiness for initial course placements in math, reading/English as well as for placement in other college-level courses. The form of assessment(s), subject area, score(s), date(s), and placement recommendation(s) will be captured in the student information system for every student’s assessment.

Initial Placement at Baltimore City Community College

Students can demonstrate readiness to succeed in college-level courses via one or more of the options noted below.

1. BCCC Alternative Math and English Assessment

            Math Assessment Rubric

            English Assessment Rubric

2. Transferable, College Level Coursework

• Initial placement may be based on the documented completion of a transferable college-level English (ENG) course at another accredited institution. This qualifies the student for direct placement into ENG 102 (Introduction to the Term Paper and Research Methods) or higher and all College courses with a college-ready prerequisite in English. An official transcript must be submitted showing a grade of C or better.
• Completion of a transferable college-level math course at another accredited institution qualifies students to register for all College courses with a college-ready prerequisite in math. An official transcript must be submitted showing a grade of C or better.

3. Degree from an Accredited College or University

• Initial placement may be based on the documented receipt of a degree from an accredited college or university. This qualifies the student for direct placement in ENG 102, college-level math courses and all College courses with a college-ready prerequisite. An official transcript must be submitted showing a grade of C or better.

4. SAT or ACT Tests

• An SAT Critical Reading or Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score of 480 or higher qualifies the student for direct placement into ENG 101 (English Writing) and all college courses with a college-ready prerequisite in English.*
• An SAT Math score of 530 or higher qualifies the student for direct placement into college-level math courses and all College courses with a college-ready prerequisite in math.*
• An ACT Composite score of 21 or higher qualifies the student for direct placement into ENG 101, college-level math courses and all College courses with a college-ready prerequisite.*

* Subject to change based on College Board scoring policies. (Collegereadiness.CollegeBoard.org) 

5. Advanced Placement (AP) Exams

• An English Language score of 3 or higher qualifies the student for direct placement into ENG 102 and awards the credits for ENG 101. Completion of AP English without taking the AP exam qualifies the student for placement into ENG 101.*
• A Calculus AB or BC score of 3 or higher qualifies the student for direct placement into MAT 141 (Calculus II) and awards the credits for programs requiring MAT 107 (Modern Elementary Statistics), MAT 128 (Pre-Calculus I) or MAT 140 (Calculus I) only. *
• All other AP Exam scores of 3 or higher qualify the student for college credits based on the equivalent course at BCCC *

* Subject to change based on College Board scoring policies. (APhighered.CollegeBoard.org)

6. High School Achievement

Placement into credit-bearing English and mathematics courses may be determined by overall high school Grade Point Average (GPA).  English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) students must have exited ESOL instruction by Grade 11 to demonstrate college-ready English Language proficiency.

• Graduation from high school in the last five years with at least a 2.5 overall high school GPA qualifies the student for direct placement in ENG 101 and all College courses with a college-ready prerequisite in English.  High school seniors may be placed using their high school GPA current through the fall semester of their senior year. Graduation from high school with a grade of C or higher in Honors English qualifies the student for direct placement in ENG 101.
• Graduation from high school in the last three years with at least a 2.5 overall high school GPA, including successful (C or better) completion of Algebra II within the same period, qualifies the student for direct placement into college-level math and all College courses with a college-ready math prerequisite.  High school seniors may be placed using their high school GPA current through the fall semester of their senior year.

7.  High School Transition Course

• Successful completion of a high school transition course in English within the last five years qualifies the student for direct placement in ENG 101 and all college courses with a college-ready prerequisite in English if the student received a C or better in the transition course.
• Successful completion of a high school transition course in math in the last three years, qualifies the student for direct placement in college-level math and all college courses with a college-ready math prerequisite. 

8. College Level Exam Program (CLEP) Which CLEP and SCORES

• Information regarding CLEP tests and fees may be obtained from the Testing Center. BCCC offers CLEP examinations only for courses which parallel those found in the college’s catalog, including credit-level math and English courses. A current list of CLEP examinations for which Baltimore City Community College will grant credit is listed in the BCCC catalog or can be obtained from the Testing Center.  The chart below indicates which CLEP tests in English and math earn students college credit as well as direct placement into courses in those disciplines.

9. Prior Learning Assessment

• PLA is conducted through an evaluation process. PLA can be assessed in a number of different forms, such as a portfolio assessment, credit by examination (e.g. CLEP Exams or Departmental Exams etc.), or even by Articulated Industry Credits (e.g. CISCO Certification, etc.).

10. Standardized Placement Exam SCORES

• ACCUPLACER:  a computer-adaptive assessment designed to evaluate students’ skills in English and Mathematics. ACCUPLACER at BCCC is comprised of two sections. Students are asked to complete 20 questions in mathematics and 25 questions in English. Students may also retest once after 48 hours if they feel that they have not done their best. The assessment is untimed and upon completion of the assessment, students’ scores are immediately available. 

TOEFL: tests are English language proficiency assessments often required for admission if a student’s country is not an English-speaking country. The tests provide adman accurate measure of a student’s ability to use and understand the English language in the classroom.

Accuplacer Placement Testing

Students attending BCCC for the first time and intending to enroll in a degree or certificate program must take the College’s ACCUPLACER skills assessment test before being advised by an academic adviser and registering for classes. Preparing for the ACCUPLACER test is one of the most important things a student can do to ensure success in college. The score on this test of reading, sentence skills, and mathematics skills determines college readiness. Students who prepare/study for the ACCUPLACER test tend to score higher than those who do not.

Information for ACCUPLACER review is available online at www.bccc.edu/testcenter.

To schedule an appointment for the ACCUPLACER test, visit www.bccc.edu/testcenter.

1. The following students may be exempt from taking the ACCUPLACER: Students who score a minimum of 500 in Math, 500 in Critical Reading, and 500 in Writing on the SAT or at minimum composite score of 21 in Math and 21 in Language on the ACT; 
2. Students transferring credits in English and mathematics from other colleges, after their transcripts have been received and evaluated by BCCC’s Office of Admissions;
3. Students who are not seeking an Associate degree or a certificate and have not accumulated 15 or more credits;
4. Students who are seeking a certificate program that does not require English, Reading and Mathematics as a prerequisite;
5. Students who have a degree (Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science or higher) from an Accredited higher educational institution.

LOEP Placement Testing (ESL)

Foreign-born students whose first language is not English take the Level of English Proficiency (LOEP) placement test at the Workforce Development and Continuing Education Division Harbor location. For more information, call English Language Instruction (ELI) at 410-986-5434.

Credit-By-Examination

Credit-by-Examination is available through the College’s own departmental exams and through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) as alternatives to taking courses or to earn credits for other collegiate or “life” experiences. Contact the Test Center and individual academic departments about specific department exams or departmentally approved CLEP exams. The total number of credits earned through examination and/or transfer may not exceed 45.

Computer Literacy Test

Credit-by-Examination is available through the College’s own departmental exams and through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) as alternatives to taking courses or to earn credits for other collegiate or “life” experiences. Contact the Test Center and individual academic departments about specific department exams or departmentally approved CLEP exams. The total number of credits earned through examination and/or transfer may not exceed 45.

Departmental and Examinations for Students from Other Colleges

Departmental Exams are administered for on-line courses and make-up examinations at the request of faculty for BCCC students. Students are encouraged to schedule test appointments online.

Distance Learning Examinations are for students from other colleges who would like to have their test administered at BCCC. Students must request that the primary institution submit the examination to the Test Center by email at testcenter@bccc.edu. These examinations are administered by the Test Center staff. Students are encouraged to schedule test appointments online at www.bccc.edu/testcenter. For further details, please call 410-462-7666 or email testcenter@bccc.edu.

Early Enrollment/Dual Enrollment For High School Students

Liberty Campus
Main Building, Room 02
410-462-8300

All high school students must submit an admissions application to BCCC and provide documentation of high school enrollment or participation in a Maryland state approved home school program.  Various dual enrollment options are available for high school students in alignment with Maryland state guidelines, college policies, and articulation agreements.  Students must meet the criteria for their dual enrollment program of interest.  
The award of high school credit based on BCCC coursework is arranged through a student’s high school and does not involve the college in any way.

International Students

Liberty Campus
Main Building, Room 02
410-462-8300

http://www.bccc.edu/international

BCCC follows the admissions standards for international students recommended by the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers.
International Students applying to BCCC must:

• Follow the regular admissions procedure.
• Direct all correspondence to the International Student Advisor.
• Submit the BCCC Statement of Financial Support and Address Verification Statement.
• Submit to the International Student Advisor complete, official, and translated transcripts and support materials from all secondary schools and universities. (All overseas college transcripts must be evaluated by an accredited evaluation service.)
• International students living in the United States must apply at least 60 days before the beginning of classes. Those living outside the United States must make application at least 90 days in advance.

International student applicants whose ACCUPLACER Placement tests scores indicate a need for improved academic English language skills will be referred to participate in BCCC’s English Language Instruction (ELI) courses. International students enrolled in BCCC academic programs or in ELI courses must maintain a full-time course load (at least 12 credits).

Military Service Members, Veterans and Dependents

Liberty Campus
Main Building, Room 07
410-462-8372

The Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official (SCO) is in the Admissions Office and provides information on educational benefits for eligible veterans, reservists, and veterans’ dependents.  The SCO is also responsible for processing of educational benefits for eligible veterans, reservists, and veterans’ dependents. Advisement and information on veteran work-study opportunities are also available. In order to establish and maintain eligibility, veterans must:

• Complete the admissions process, making certain that an official high school transcript/ GED® certification and college/military transcripts are on file with the Admissions Office
• Take the ACCUPLACER and Placement tests (if applicable)
• Bring DD214 for new applicants or the DD2384 (NOBE) for reservists
• Bring copy of the Certificate of Eligibility
• Enroll in an approved program
• Be prepared to pay by personal check, money order, cash, credit card, financial aid, advance payment, or deferred tuition loan (if available)
• Bring a copy of the paid bill to the SCO
• Report all program changes to the SCO Take only those courses required for completion of the chosen program
• Report withdrawal from any courses or from the College to the SCO Maintain satisfactory academic progress.

NOTE: Failure to follow these procedures will result in delays of VA certification and will place benefits in jeopardy.

Students Transferring to BCCC

Liberty Campus
Main Building, Room 02
410-462-8300

BCCC welcomes transfer students. After the Admissions Application is received, the Registrar’s office evaluates all courses which students seek to transfer to BCCC. Credit is granted for General Education Requirements and courses that are applicable to a BCCC associate degree or certificate program.

General Transfer Policy

It is the policy of Baltimore City Community College that students who have successfully completed college level courses at a regionally accredited college or university will receive credit toward an associate degree or certificate. In addition, exemption from relevant placement tests will be granted. The total number of credits that may be allocated toward an associate degree is 45. The credits awarded for a certificate is half of the total required hours. Students can earn up to 30 of these transfer hours through transfer of nontraditional credit. BCCC may award transfer credit from regionally accredited institutions and from institutions that are candidates for regional accreditation. Course work completed at degree-granting and non-degree- granting higher education institutions that are not regionally accredited but hold national or specialized accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and/or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation may be considered for transfer credit on a case-by-case basis.

PDF transcripts may be sent via email toregistrar@bccc.edu or submitted to Baltimore City Community College, Registrar’s Office, Room MNB 08, 2901 Liberty Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215.

Transfer to Home College or University

Students currently enrolled at another college or university who wish to earn credits at Baltimore City Community College for transfer to that college or university should obtain advance written approval from the appropriate academic department of the college or university they now attend. Students should also bring official or unofficial copies of their transcripts to the Office of Admissions to satisfy any prerequisite or co-requisite requirements.

New Student Orientation

Liberty Campus
Main Building, Room 02
410-462-8300

All first-time students are encouraged to attend a New Student Orientation. Students may choose to either attend a session on campus or a session online. Students will be introduced to campus services, meet with an academic advisor, and register for courses during orientation.

Registrar’s Office

The Registrar’s Office is responsible for maintaining students’ academic history, transcript evaluation, processing requests for official transcripts, grade positing, and processing graduation degree audits. See the most recent Schedule of Credit Courses for registration dates, schedule adjustment dates, and procedures for registration. 

Registration Guidelines

Students may register for credit classes during any regularly scheduled registration period. Registration dates and times are listed on the Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) Website www.bccc.edu under the academic calendar or by calling the Registrar’s Office at 410-462-7777.

Students may also register for non credit courses during normal hours of operation. Note: payment is due at the time of registration.

First time students are encouraged to complete a new student orientation session prior to enrolling for classes. Students can complete the orientation online or in person. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

These are the two methods of registration:

Register in Person

Students may come to campus to register for courses. First, students must meet with their assigned academic advisor or with an advisor at the Student Success Center. Students complete a registration form with the guidance of their academic advisor. The registration form must be signed by the advisor and brought to room 8 in the Main Building to be processed.
Afterwards, the student will receive a schedule and bill.

Register Online

With online registration, students can register for BCCC courses on a computer at home, at work, on campus, or anywhere that has an internet connection. New and continuing BCCC students who have completed new student orientation, are in good academic standing, and have satisfied all pre-requisites (including developmental courses) can register online by following these easy six steps:

1. Access the BCCC student portal: www.bccc.edu/pantherportal
2. Have course(s) and index number ready. Students can conduct a course search by clicking credit course search on the left side of the student portal, entering the corresponding semester information (session, department, course ID), and clicking submit.
3. At the student information portal, select registration and enter your social security number and PIN. If you are a new student, your PIN will be the four-digit PIN you created when you submitted your admissions application. Otherwise, your PIN is a four-digit number consisting of your birth month and the last two digits of your birth year.
4. Click submit information.
5. Next, click continue, select appropriate semester/ session and click submit information.
6. After reading the top of the page, scroll down to the worksheet and add course index numbers and click on update worksheet to show course schedule. Repeat as necessary to add/drop courses.
7. On the college student registration worksheet, click post registration to finalize registration and generate registration/confirmation which includes tuition and fees.
8. Print a copy for your records.

Student Records

Liberty Campus
Main Building, Room 08
410-462-7777

BCCC is in full compliance with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, Public Law 90- 247, as amended. A more detailed version of these rights is printed in the General Policies section of this Catalog. Transcripts must be ordered online through the National Student Clearinghouse. Go to www.bccc.edu/transcripts for more information. Transcripts will not be released if there is an outstanding financial obligation to the College.

As a student, you have the following rights with respect to your education records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA):

1. The right to inspect and review your education records.
2. The right to request amendment of your education records to ensure that the records are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of your privacy.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information and education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

Semester Grades

SStudents can obtain semester final grades after posting by visiting the BCCC “Student Portal” website at: www.bccc.edu/pantherportal