Prior Learning

If you have successfully completed math or English Composition classes at another college or university, you may be able to use your transfer credits instead of placement scores. Contact the college or university where you earned those credits and request an official transcript sent to BBCC.  

• See how to transfer credits to BBCC in the FAQ.

If you have questions, contact Student Administrative Support Services at (509) 793-2061 or email admissions@bigbend.edu. 

Did you take college classes in high school through College in the High School or Running Start? If you took those classes through BBCC, those credits are already on your BBCC transcript. If these were English Composition or math classes, you will not need placement scores. If you were in these programs through a different college or university, please follow the instructions for Transfer Credits (above).

The AP (Advanced Placement) Program offers college-level courses and exams that you can take in high school. CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) exams allows students to demonstrate mastery of introductory college-level material. The IB (International Baccalaureate) Program offers courses and exams that you can take in high school.  

If you took AP, CLEP, or IB tests, your scores could earn you college credit. If those credits are in math or English Composition, you do not need placement scores. 

Visit CollegeBoard.org and request an AP or CLEP score report sent directly to BBCC 

• See how BBCC awards credits for your AP scores.
• See how BBCC awards credits for your CLEP scores.

Visit IBO.org and request an IB transcript sent directly to BBCC for evaluation. 

Other colleges and universities may offer placement testing to non-students. Contact a college or university near you to see if they offer this service.

Contact the college or university and ask them to send a copy of your test scores and their recommended placement to admissions@bigbend.edu.

Contact the college or university where you earned the credits and have an official transcript sent to BBCC for evaluation. BBCC accepts transfer credits only from regionally accredited institutions. Only official transcripts will be evaluated for BBCC credit. Transfer credits will not be awarded from high school transcripts.

You can drop off paper transcripts at Student Administrative Support Services in the 1400 building or have them mailed to:

Student Administrative Support Services
Big Bend Community College
6772 Chanute St NE
Moses Lake WA 98837

Official transcripts may be electronic or paper copies. To be considered official, electronic copies must be delivered directly from the college or university through an encrypted system. Paper copies must be received in the original sealed envelope. Emailed or otherwise unofficial copies of transcripts will not be accepted for transfer credit.

The following is a list of those organizations that grant regional accreditation in the United States:

• Middle States Association of Colleges & Schools Middle States Commission on Higher Education
• New England Association of Schools & Colleges Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
• New England Association of Schools & Colleges Commission on Technical & Career Institutions
• North Central Association of Colleges & Schools The Higher Learning Commission
• Northwest Commission on Colleges & Universities
• Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges
• Western Association of Schools & Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community Colleges
• Western Association of Schools & Colleges Accrediting Commission for Senior Universities

Many colleges and universities have tracking available so you can confirm when they sent your transcript and when it was received by BBCC. Check your email for information from the college/university or the transcript sending company.

Processing may take 2 to 4 weeks during high-volume periods.

Students will be contacted via email after transfer credits have been evaluated and posted.

Reciprocity Agreement for Transferring Credits

• If you fulfilled a specific course requirement or entire area of a degree requirement at another Washington State Community or Technical College, then you may meet those same degree requirements at BBCC.
• If, after your transfer credits are evaluated, you think you have courses that qualify, ask your advisor to assist you with this process. The course review is subject to BBCC’s catalog agreement and you must complete the minimum number of credits required to earn a BBCC degree.

Common Course Numbering (CCN)

• Common Course Numbering is a state-wide project among the community and technical colleges to share identical Course ID’s (disciplines and numbers) and titles for selected courses. You can recognize these courses by the ampersand symbol & used after the subject area, for example BIOL& or HIST&.
• Courses evaluated by BBCC may or may not be considered common at other institutions; therefore, if you plan to transfer from BBCC to other institutions, check with their advising centers as to how your prior institution(s) and BBCC courses will be accepted.

Semester Credit Conversions

• Semester credits are multiplied by 1.5 to convert to quarter credits. If this credit conversion creates a ½ credit shortage in an Arts & Science distribution area, credits may be used from the Additional Breadth category to complete the required 50 credits of Breadth (Social Science, Humanities, and Math/Science). Your advisor can work with you to ensure you are meeting graduation requirements.

• Students have the right to clear, accurate, and current information about their transfer admission requirements, transfer admission deadlines, degree requirements, and transfer policies that include course equivalencies.
• Transfer and freshman-entry students have the right to expect comparable standards for regular admission to programs and comparable program requirements.
• Students have the right to seek clarification regarding their transfer evaluation and may request the reconsideration of any aspect of that evaluation. In response, the college will follow established practices and processes for reviewing its transfer credit decisions.
• Students who encounter other transfer difficulties have the right to seek resolution. Each institution will have a defined process for resolution that is published and readily available to students.
• Students have the responsibility to complete all materials required for admission and to submit the application on or before the published deadlines.
• Students have the responsibility to plan their courses of study by referring to the specific published degree requirements of the college or academic program in which they intend to earn a bachelor’s degree.
• When a student changes a major or degree program, the student assumes full responsibility for meeting the new requirements.
• Students who complete the general education requirements at any public four-year institution of higher education in Washington, when admitted to another public four-year institution, will have met the lower division general education requirements of the institution to which they transfer.