Bellevue College offers many educational opportunities distinct from our traditional credit programs. From noncredit Continuing Education courses to college credit opportunities for high school students, BC is truly a community resource with something to offer people from all age groups and backgrounds.
Many classes at BC have a service learning component, in which students do a community service project as part of their classwork. The service is integrated with class instruction and focuses on critical, reflective thinking and civic responsibility. It is tied to the learning outcomes for the course. Please check the course schedule or the RISE website for classes that provide service learning opportunities.
Students taking these courses may qualify for the transcript notation for service-learning. This notation demonstrates to transfer institutions and potential employers that the students have taken a course with an experiential component and that you developed skills often seen as valuable for success in colleges and jobs. Check with the service-learning instructor for details on how to qualify for the transcript notation.
As an educational program of the Center for Career Connections as part of the R.I.S.E. Learning Institute, the Neurodiversity Navigators (formerly Autism Spectrum Navigators) program offers educational opportunities along with individualized advocacy and access services for Neurodivergent Bellevue College students. Visit our bellevuecollege.edu/autismspectrumnavigators/ for more information.
The Library Media Center’s (LMC) vision is to inspire life-long learning through connections, research, and discovery by providing resources and services to assist students with their research and online learning. Many resources are available via the LMC website: bellevuecollege.edu/lmc/. eLearning and Media Services resources and support are available via the student eLearning website: bellevuecollege.edu/elearning/. Librarians provide one-on-one assistance and classroom instruction in the use of LMC resources and services. Students can also access support available 24/7 via the “Ask a Librarian” chat reference service. The LMC offers silent, quiet, and collaborative study spaces, as well as study rooms to meet student needs, fully equipped with computers and WiFi, including two stations with adaptive technology. eLearning connects students to online and in-person Canvas training and Media Services provide check-out of media equipment, laptops, and various media production services.
The success of all students is the focus of the LMC, in-person and online, and we encourage students to connect with us.
Center for Career Connections and the Women’s Career Connections Program offer a variety of services to increase students’ success in attaining their educational and career goals. All services are available to both men and women and include assistance with career planning in both traditional and non-traditional careers, job search skills, academic internships, work-study opportunities, scholarship search, resource referrals, and job and internship postings via the Web. The Center offers one-on-one consultations, workshops, orientations and credit classes. Visit bellevuecollege.edu/careers/ for more information.
Career Exploration
Center services help students explore different majors or career choices and plan a career pathway. The Center provides credit and noncredit classes and workshops; emphasis is placed on developing lifelong skills, networking with other students and industry professionals, and facilitating in-depth reflection on career and life goals. Career consultants can provide assistance with career assessments and career pathway planning, connections to industry professionals, and hands-on learning experiences.
Internships
Students can get help to search for an internship that will also earn credit through the Academic Internship Program. The Center has an active web-based job and internship posting system to aid in career or internship search at www.bellevuecollege.edu/internships.
Job Search
The Center is a great resource for job-search assistance for students, alumni and community members. Stop by for help with job search and networking strategies or use CONNECT, the Center’s website page for job and internship postings. To register, visit www.bellevuecollege.edu/careers.
Project Succeed: Career Connections for Veterans & Spouses
This program assists veterans and spouses, active, military, reservist and guard members at the college and in the community with:
- Transitioning to civilian life
- Choosing a major and career pathway
- Planning with job search strategies
- Representing military skills on a civilian resume
- Finding internships and jobs
- Networking with industry professionals and other veterans
Call (425) 564-2279 for more information.
STEM to Stern Program
Designed specifically for incoming freshman students who plan to pursue a career related to science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Students have the chance to network with STEM professionals and prepare for internship and research opportunities. Students in this program may also be eligible for a STEM Scholars Network Scholarship. Call (425) 564-2279 or check out www.bellevuecollege.edu/stemtostern/.
Work-Study Opportunities
The Center helps students who are eligible for financial aid to find jobs on-campus and in the community. Jobs are posted on our CONNECT site at https://bellevue-csm.symplicity.com/students/.
Continuing Education Programs
Bellevue College is the most comprehensive provider of continuing education courses in Washington State. These non-degree classes and workshops range from professional development and career enhancement to personal enrichment. Courses vary in length from one day to 10 weeks and are located at our North Campus.
BC Continuing Education also offers a number of professional certificate programs in areas that include technology, business and design.
- Earn a certificate in as few as 6 months
- No application process
- Start any time you like
- Complete at your own pace
- Day, evening and weekend classes
To receive a current course schedule, call (425) 564-2263 or visit bellevuecollege.edu/ce/.
Parent Education & Early Learning
Parent Education classes consist of child-centered early learning classes and adult-centered lectures and discussion groups. There are classes for parent and infants, toddlers and preschool, and elementary age children ranging from one-day-a-week to four-day preschools. Classes are located in cities throughout the BC district as well as on our main campus. Initial registration for each school year (September-June) begins in April with continuous registration until classes fill. Please visit bellevuecollege.edu/parented for program information and to register.
International Education and Global Initiatives leads Bellevue College’s internationalization efforts. With its two arms, International Education and Global Initiatives, it actively promotes global and intercultural understanding, as well as enriches the academic and cultural environment at Bellevue College by creating and maintaining programs that encourage the exchange of cultures and ideas.
International Education provides primary support for students on non-immigrant visas who plan to enroll in college-credit classes, International High School Completion (IHSC), Bridge Pathway, International Business Professions (IBP), Intensive English/University Preparation (UP), Learning English in Action Program (LEAP), non-credit Community ESL, and short-term customized programs. In addition to advising and guiding international students in the clarification of their educational and career goals, International Education helps develop individualized educational plans. Other services in International Education include international marketing and recruitment, admissions, advising (academic, immigration, and cultural), class registration, health insurance matters, activities, and housing referrals. International Education acts as a liaison between Bellevue College international students, faculty, administrators, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). For more information, call (425) 564-3185 or visit us in B144 on the main campus.
Global Initiatives works to instill a global perspective in our students by exposing them to other countries, cultures and languages through study abroad opportunities. Furthermore, it creates avenues and crafts opportunities for international faculty and staff development internationalization of curriculum, and fosters partnership building with institutions of higher education around the world. Global Initiatives is also home to the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. The office works with College’s departments and divisions and assists them with the process of hosting J-1 exchange visitors. This program provides opportunities for foreign visitors to experience United States society and culture and engage with Americans.
English Language Institute (ELI)
The English Language Institute (ELI), which is part of the Arts and Humanities division, offers its students a chance to learn and grow in their understanding of English, as well as the dynamic lifestyle and culture of the Pacific Northwest. ELI instructors challenge and encourage their students to succeed in a well-rounded academic program.
Intensive English/University Preparation (UP) program
This rigorous yet cost-effective program offers five levels of English language training that bring non-native English learners up to proficient levels in speaking, reading, writing, listening, and grammar. After successful completion of this program, students can move up to either the associate level (i.e., college level) or the Bridge Pathway program.
Bridge Pathway Program
Bridge Pathway is a quarter-long college preparation program that emphasizes developing college-level writing skills, critical thinking, and taking personal responsibility for learning. Students must meet the international admissions requirements including the English proficiency level defined by International Education to enter this program. There are two paths based on the student’s writing assessment:
Path 1 (15-credits) – A recommendation from the Integrated Skills 5 instructor or placement result of the Writeplacer exam is required at the time of registration.
- Combination of a 10-credit Academic Preparation (AP) and a 5-credit English 93
Path 2 (18-credits):
- Combination of a 10-credit AP, a 5-credit English 93, and a 3-credit English supplemental course
International Business Professions (IBP) Program
The International Business Professions (IBP) program is a full-time, 12-month program that starts in Fall and Spring only. Students design their own study and career plan that aligns with their interests by taking a wide range of college-level subjects and practical English support courses for one academic year to prepare them for an internship in their field of interest. Students must meet the international admission requirements including the English proficiency level defined by International Education to enter this program.
Learning English in Action Program (LEAP)
Learning English in Action Program (LEAP) is open to all non-native English speakers and offers students an active, exciting opportunity to gain real-world English language skills and authentic cultural experience. Students will explore aspects of life and culture in the United States as well as important themes such as the environment, society, business, media, and technology in the local community and greater Seattle area.
LEAP is for students at intermediate to advanced level of English learners who are primarily interested in improving their communicative English skills, not academic preparation for BC’s college program. LEAP may be taken as a one or two-quarter program.
Community ESL (non-credit) Programs
Community ESL program offers a wide variety of cost-effective and fun English courses for non-native English speakers in the community. People from a variety of backgrounds choose to study in this program: J-1 au pairs, H-4 and L-2 visa holders, immigrants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and more.
Most classes meet a few times a week for a few hours for about 10-weeks (one-quarter). There are no credits, no grades, and classes are similar to continuing education format. There is no formal application process required.
Short-Term Customized Programs
Bellevue College works with partner schools or licensed agencies to develop and deliver a short-term customized program for a group of students wishing to enhance their general English skills and experiences rich, diverse northwest culture firsthand. For more information, please go to IE’s website at bellevuecollege.edu/international/future-students/customized-group/.
Global Initiatives at Bellevue College advances the international character of the College by promoting, supporting, and developing a wide range of international educational opportunities for members of the BC community. Part of GI’s comprehensive internationalization plan is to expand study abroad offerings. Currently, there are two types of study abroad programs at Bellevue College:
- BC Faculty-Led Study Abroad – Bellevue College courses that are taught by BC faculty where a portion of the course or the entire course is taught abroad. Program subject areas and locations vary year to year, depending on the faculty leading the program.
- Washington Community Colleges Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA) - a group of 16 community colleges across Washington state that have joined together to provide quality study abroad programs. Faculty are selected from one of the member colleges to teach on the programs abroad and students from any of the 16 colleges are able to participate in these programs. Bellevue College is a member of WCCCSA and BC students are able to receive credit for WCCCSA study abroad programs.
The Assistant Director of Study Abroad will help you select the program and location that best matches your interests and educational goals. Visit bellevuecollege.edu/globalinitiatives/study-abroad/ for more information.
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