Media Contacts:

March 21, 2006                                                                      

BCC students now may qualify for dual enrollment at UW Bothell,

pathways to UW Bothell degree programs

BELLEVUE, WASH. –  A new agreement between Bellevue Community College (BCC) and the University of Washington Bothell will make it possible for eligible BCC students to take classes and use resources at both schools concurrently and qualify for guaranteed admission to all three UW Bothell degree programs:  Business Administration, Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences and Computing & Software Systems.

         The agreement, which takes effect with the Spring 2006 quarter, will be signed by UW Bothell Interim Chancellor Steven Olswang and BCC President Jean Floten on March 23 at 11 a.m. in the BCC boardroom. 

         “This agreement creates wonderful new opportunities for our students,” said Jean Floten, president of BCC.  “Not only will they have access to a wider array of courses but, as long as they meet certain criteria, they will also have assured acceptance into UW Bothell’s degree programs.”

         ”The University of Washington Bothell is proud to be able to further enhance Bellevue Community College students’ access and transition to our programs and the ability to earn a four-year degree,” said UW Bothell Interim Chancellor Steven G. Olswang.  “We encourage students at BCC to begin working with their advisors now to ensure a seamless transition to the UW Bothell campus and their four-year degree.”

Bellevue Community College already sends more students to the UW Bothell for their junior and senior years than any other school in the state.

         The dual enrollment program works in this way:

         ●       After earning their first 45 credits at Bellevue Community College and meeting specified program requirements, students may apply for dual enrollment.

         ●       Those accepted immediately become students at both Bellevue Community College and the University of Washington Bothell, with access to advising, libraries, computer labs, career centers and other student services and activities at both schools.

         ●       Advisors at both BCC and UW Bothell will help students plan the most effective use of the dual-enrollment opportunity.

         ●       Dual-enrollment students go on to complete their associate degree at BCC while also, if they wish, taking upper-level courses at UW Bothell.

         ●       After successfully completing the appropriate BCC associate degree and certain required courses at UW Bothell, students are guaranteed admission to UW Bothell’s bachelor’s degree programs in Business Administration, Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences and Computing & Software Systems.

         The agreement builds on an ongoing relationship between BCC’s Business Division and the UW Bothell Business School, both of which are founding members of the Bellevue Entrepreneur Center and have offered student consulting services to underserved minority- and women-owned small businesses.

         UW Bothell launched its dual enrollment program in Fall 2005.

         More information about the BCC-UW Bothell dual enrollment program is available by calling Bellevue Community College at 425-564-2212 or UW Bothell at 425-352-5317.

Elaine Kraft, UW Bothell

425-352-3395

ekraft@uwb.edu

Bob Adams, BCC

 425-564-3081

badams@bcc.ctc.edu