FAQ

General Questions about all IBIT programs

Funding

Entry Codes

Course Substitutions and Waivers

Program Specific FAQs


When can I start taking classes?

You may start any program at the beginning of any quarter: Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer. However, there are typically fewer courses offered in the Summer. Because classes will become full, you should apply to the college early in order to have the most options for classes and class times that work for your schedule. Registration for classes typically begins six weeks before the quarter starts. However, registration for Fall Quarter begins in May. See the Enrollment Calendar for more specific dates and information.


Can I complete the program entirely online?

  • For Degrees: No. While many classes can be completed online, certain classes will need to be completed on campus. See the projected annual schedule for more information regarding tentative course offerings throughout the year.
  • For Certificates: Some certificates can be completed completely online. See the projected annual schedule for more information regarding tentative course offerings throughout the year.


Can I take classes entirely at night?

  • For Degrees: No. While most classes can be taken at night, certain classes will need to be completed during the day or online. See the projected annual schedule for more information regarding tentative course offerings throughout the year.
  • For Certificates: Some certificates can be completed completely at night. See the projected annual schedule for more information regarding tentative course offerings throughout the year.


What’s the difference between a certificate and a degree?

  • An IBIT Associate degree is generally made up of about 18 classes which will total to about 90 credits. These 18 classes will provide you with opportunities to gain a variety of skills relevant to a specific field.  It is possible to complete a degree in about two years.
  • An IBIT certificate is generally made up of 2 – 10 classes which will total to about 10-50 credits. These classes are meant to give you one or a few specific skills. It is possible to complete a certificate in one to three quarters or 3 – 9 months.


What kind of job can I get with an IBIT degree or certificate?

IBIT degrees and certificates meet a wide range of employer needs. To see some examples of what types of job titles you can obtain after completing an IBIT degree or certificate, please visit the Center for Career Connections Career Pathways website.


If I already have a four-year degree, what can IBIT offer me?

IBIT degrees and certificates are designed to help students prepare for the workforce by providing training in specific skills. This training may be needed in order for students to:

  • Update skills that have become out-of-date
  • Gain additional skills relevant to their current job or profession
  • Start an exciting new career

For example, you may be

  1. a current information technology professionals who wants to learn a new programming language,
  2. a marketing manager who wants to learn the latest in eMarketing (electronic marketing), or
  3. a social worker who wants to become an accountant

These are a few reasons and few examples related to how IBIT can help you with the next step in your career.


Will my credits transfer from a previously attended college to Bellevue College?

It is possible to transfer credits that have previously been completed at another college using the following guidelines. Coursework must be:

  1. Completed at a regionally accredited college
  2. Completed with a passing grade
  3. Equivalent to the coursework included in the certificate or degree you are pursuing. Related coursework that is not equivalent may be used as electives if deemed appropriate by the designated program faculty
  4. No older than 5 years if the course is accounting or technology related unless otherwise approved by the designated program faculty. Some exceptions may be made for those who have current and relevant work experience.

To discuss the possibility of transferring coursework to Bellevue College, you must already be a student or you must have already applied and been accepted to the college. If you meet this requirement, you can schedule a meeting with one of the full-time faculty members of the program you wish to complete.

Additionally, students can use our Transfer Course Equivalency database to determine if certain courses will transfer to Bellevue College. This database is continually being updated. As a result, courses that you have completed that can transfer to Bellevue College may not yet be on the database. For any course not on this list, see the program chair or full-time faculty members of the program you are interested in completing.

Contact information, including office hours and locations can be found on our contact page.


Will my credits transfer to a four-year college or university?

Every four-year college or university has its own policies regarding transferring credits. As a result, it is important for students to be in direct contact with the college or university they are considering. When contacting these institutions, students should ask about:

  1. Whether or not each course taken will be accepted for transfer
  2. How each course will transfer, in order to satisfy any requirements or prerequisites
  3. What the maximum number of credits that can be transferred is

For information regarding local colleges and universities that IBIT students may want to pursue after they complete an associate degree here at BC, see the IBIT PATHway.

Cost of Attending


How much will it cost?
The cost of courses is based primarily on the number of credits you complete during each quarter. To see the tuition rate by credits, see the Tuition & Fees website.

For students pursuing an associate degree, see the Financial Aid’s website regarding estimated cost of attendance.


Financial Aid

Upon visiting the Financial Aid website, you’ll find information regarding how to apply for grants and student loans.
http://bellevuecollege.edu/fa/


Scholarships
Bellevue College offers scholarship opportunities and also helps connect you to scholarships offered by other organizations. The first link provides updated information on scholarships provided by various organizations with deadlines throughout the year. The second link provides information on scholarships offered directly by Bellevue College, sharing one deadline per year.


The Financial Aid (or the Veterans Administration) office is requiring that I receive a signed educational plan in order to receive funding. What should I do?

  1. Check your deferment date by logging in to the course registration screen. If you are deferred you will see “DFRD” as well as the date for how long your tuition payments are deferred. For example, if your tuition is deferred until September 30th, you will see “DFRD 0930″. This date also tells you when you should have all of the paperwork submitted that Financial Aid/Veterans Administration is requesting including a signed educational plan.
  2. If you have absolutely no credits that need to be transferred-in and no course substitutions/waivers, then you can schedule an appointment with an academic advisor by calling 425-564-2311 or 425-564-2212. You can also meet with a faculty advisor by contacting them directly to schedule an appointment.
  3. You must directly contact a full-time faculty member from your program to schedule an appointment if you have:
    • credits that need to be transferred-in from other colleges
    • previously requested degree substitutions/waivers
    • plan on requesting degree substitution/waivers
  4. If all of the faculty advisors and the academic advisor are unable to meet with you, contact Financial Aid and notify them of the situation.

 

Entry Codes


Why do I need an entry code to get into a class?
If you are seeing an error message that says “Unmet prerequisite – override with a course entry code”, this means that you have not successfully completed a requirement needed to register for this course. Prerequisites are completed either by completion of certain courses or placement by assessment into a math and/or English course. See course descriptions to determine what the prerequisites are for the courses you wish to take.


How can I check if a class from another college qualifies as a prerequisite?
If you believe you have completed this requirement/prerequisite at another college, see the Verification of Prerequisites page to learn about how to proceed.


How do I receive an entry code?

Course Substitution and Waivers

Students who experience unique and extenuating circumstances are able to request petition for an exception to professional/technical degree and certificate requirements. These exceptions are either called “course substitutions” and “waivers”.

Course Substitution Example:

Course Waiver Example

  • You are pursing the Business Technology Systems degree. BTS 165: Business Spreadsheet Analysis & Design is required to complete the program. You are already highly skilled in Microsoft Excel having used it for many years in work settings, attended Excel training sessions at various organizations, and believes you have the same competency level provided by BTS 165. You ask for a waiver of this requirement so that another relevant course can be completed in its place. You would then contact the program chair and request a course waiver using the Exception to Degree or Certificate Requirements form.