Admission Requirements

BPCC has an open admissions policy established by the Louisiana Legislature and approved by the Board of Regents and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Students may be admitted to Bossier Parish Community College, if they meet one of these three options: have obtained a high school diploma, have obtained a General Education Development diploma (GED), or have met pre-established criteria on the BPCC Ability to Benefit test and are above the age of compulsory school attendance. The criteria established by the federal government as showing "ability to benefit" are as follows: a COMPASS score of 25 on pre algebra/number skills; 32 on Writing Skills; and 62 on Reading Skills. The student must demonstrate at least the minimum score on all three tests in a single testing experience to be admitted.

BPCC operates on a three-semester system, which includes a summer term. A qualified applicant may register at the beginning of any semester. Complete admission records must be received in the Admissions/Registrar’s Office prior to registration in order for the applicant to be notified regarding eligibility for admission. Students failing to complete admission records will be denied admission or will be admitted temporarily as provisional students. Students admitted provisionally are not eligible for federal financial aid.

The student's permanent academic record is the academic file folder, which contains the following information: academic transcripts from high school and college, ACT or SAT scores, placement test scores, immunization records, and proof of Selective Service registration by male students. The records are on an imaging system, which stores the information on an optical disk. The records from the years 1967-94 are on microfiche, which is stored in a fireproof filing cabinet in the Admissions/Registrar's Office. The Admissions/Registrar’s Office follows all Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) rules and regulations concerning the release of student records.

Non-Academic Records

In order to best protect the privacy of non-academic records of students at the College, the Student Services Division Administrative personnel are given the authority by the Chancellor of the College to control the access to all non-academic records. All non-academic records are kept in locked filing cabinets in the respective administrative personnel offices. For example, the Vice Chancellor for Student Services holds the disciplinary records; the Director of Advising/Counseling holds the personal counseling records; the work/study student records are held by the Administrative Coordinator of Job Placement. The disciplinary and work study records are released only according to FERPA guidelines for the release of student records. The only instances in which a student’s personal counseling records are released are to comply with a judicial order or a lawful subpoena or upon a notarized written request from the student.

Admission Procedure

• A student seeking admission to BPCC may obtain appropriate application forms from the Admissions/Registrar’s Office located in the Emmett E. Cope Student Services Building (Building F) or from the BPCC website at www.bpcc.edu.
• The student must complete an application and have it on file by the date listed in the BPCC calendar.
• An application fee is required for first-time students (students attending BPCC for the first time).

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), and Tetanus/Diphtheria Immunization

Louisiana state law (R.S. 17:170) requires immunizations against measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus/diphtheria for all students born after 1956 who are enrolling in higher education for the first time or who have enrolled since January 1, 1991. Vaccination for Meningococcal Meningitis is required for first time freshmen beginning fall 2006 or after according to Acts 251 and 711 of 2006 Regular Legislative Session. Failure to comply with this law will result in the inability to complete the registration process.

Note: The law allows for a medical or personal exemption; however, should an outbreak occur, students signing exemptions will be excluded from class and other campus activities during an incubation period of two or three weeks.

For additional information and forms, contact the Admissions/Registrar’s Office at 678-6004.

Assessment and Placement

Placement tests are designed to determine levels of proficiency in the basic skills of English, mathematics, and reading. BPCC utilizes the COMPASS placement tests at no cost to BPCC students. Placement tests cost $5.00 per test for non BPCC students. Students may submit standardized test scores (i.e. ACT or SAT) to assist in placement in academic courses; however, use of those scores will not preclude a student from taking the placement tests. For additional information contact the Office of the Executive Dean of Instruction at 678-6335 or 678-6348.

ACT and BPCC Placement Tests

If a student has ACT scores within the following ranges, he/she will not have to take the BPCC placement test in that academic area:

English
18 or higher……………………………………………………….May enroll in English 101

Mathematics (Minimum score of 20 set by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs)
20 or higher……………………………………………………….May enroll in Math 102

Reading
16 or higher……………………………………………………….Are not required to take READ 099

Preparatory Education Courses

Preparatory education courses are provided for BPCC students who score below the minimum required COMPASS Placement Test scores. Preparatory courses include EDUC 099, READ 099, CIS 099, ENGL 099, and MATH 097, 098, 099. These semester-length courses will transfer to other postsecondary institutions as equivalent courses, but will not usually satisfy degree requirements.

Each division is responsible for the teaching of preparatory education courses within its own discipline. English faculty teach the preparatory English course; mathematics faculty teach the preparatory math courses. The instruction of READ 099, "Preparatory Reading," is the responsibility of the Division of Liberal Arts; the instruction of EDUC 099 "College Success," is the responsibility of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences; the instruction of CIS 099 "Keyboarding," is the responsibility of the Division of Business and Computer Science.

CIS 099 is offered to prepare students that do not feel competent in basic computer skills. Enrollment in that course is voluntary and based upon student request. This is a preparatory course that will not satisfy any degree requirements and may not transfer to other post secondary institutions.

READ 099 "Preparatory Reading" Policy

EDUC 099

EDUC 099 "College Success Skills" Policy