Faculty advisors will advise and assist students planning to transfer to a four-year institution with the transfer process. It is the student's responsibility to select the transfer institution and to closely follow its admission requirements. These requirements are set forth in each institution's catalog. Reference copies of some of these catalogs are available in the Counseling and Career Services Office in the Student Union or online at www. collegesource.org. Because of the highly specialized nature of the career and technical programs, many of the courses do not transfer, nor are they designed for transfer, to a four-year institution.

Students who intend to transfer to a four-year institution are strongly advised to visit with their advisor to assure that their program of study at BSC is suitable for transfer to the selected college or university. Representatives of four-year colleges regularly visit the campus to advise BSC students who plan to transfer to their respective institutions. Students who plan to transfer to other colleges are urged to begin the planning process as early as possible. Consult the receiving institution's catalog to determine course requirements in selected curricula/majors.

Transfer of credits from BSC is normally a smooth process for students who have followed suggested curricular guidelines of BSC and the institution to which they will transfer.

However, if at any time students encounter a problem with transfer of BSC credits to another institution, they are encouraged to contact the BSC Provost, 701-224-5404, and the North Dakota University System Director of Articulation and Transfer, 701-777-0885. Questions about GERTA courses should be referred to the BSC Registrar.

BSC students who complete the general education course requirements for either the Associate in Arts or the Associate in Science degree and who accumulate 36 semester hours of course work in the areas of communications; arts and humanities; social sciences; and mathematics, science and technology will be exempt from taking any additional lower division general education courses at any NDUS institution to which they transfer.

1. Requirements must be met through completion of BSC courses. Credits obtained through CLEP exams, military training, challenge exam credits or other similar programs do not apply.
2. Courses must be completed at colleges or universities in the North Dakota University System.
3. Students must have obtained a grade of C or above for the course to meet GERTA requirements.

Students who plan to transfer to other NDUS institutions and who have met the requirements (referred to as GERTA Paragraph One requirements) may request to have a GERTA verification statement provided to another NDUS institution. GER verification forms document the fact that a student has completed NDUS GERTA Paragraph One requirements and is exempt from additional general education requirements.

The complete text of the State Board of Higher Education's General Education Transfer Agreement and the NDUS "Student Guide to Transfer Within the North Dakota University System" are available for reference purposes in administrative offices on campus, in the BSC Library and online at http://www.ndus.edu/students/ccn/gerta/default.asp.

TRANSFER OF CREDITS TO BSC
Students who wish to transfer to BSC from another college or university must complete all of the admissions requirements and must provide the Admissions Office with official and complete transcripts, showing all courses attempted and grades earned, from all other colleges attended.

BSC accepts credits for college-level course work earned (grade of "D" or better) at any college, university, or post-secondary institution which is accredited by any of the six regional post-secondary education commissions in the United States. Students transferring to BSC must provide official transcripts from all colleges previously attended.

A student who was suspended from another institution, with a lapse of at least one semester prior to the term in which he/she is seeking BSC admission, may be admitted directly by submitting the Academic Suspension Readmission Request form (available at the Student Records Office) and contacting the Student Affairs Office at 701-224- 5684, to schedule a "Student Re-admission Plan" session with an Academic Reviewer.

Students should complete the above process at least two weeks prior to the beginning of an academic semester to be considered for admission.

The BSC Registrar will evaluate official transcripts to determine the total number of hours accepted and the suitability and applicability of accepted hours and courses toward BSC graduation requirements.

Students academically dismissed from an NDUS baccalaureate institution should refer to the NDUS policy regarding re-admission to a NDUS community college.

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT
BSC offers Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), a process identifying and documenting previous learning that has the potential to receive academic credit as part of a degree program. BSC recognizes that students will pursue an associate degree with a variety of academic and professional experiences related to the degree program. BSC supports these adult learners who wish to participate in a Prior Learning Assessment process. Below are some questions to consider:
Is a Prior Learning Assessment for me?
Adults learn constantly – many have developed their college level learning away from the traditional classroom; on the job; in relationships; and through reading, travel, hobbies, and life events. Adults who want a college to grant them a degree still have to find a way to document what they know in order to get the necessary college credit. BSC is committed to the idea that people deserve credit for their learning experiences that were not acquired as part of a formally structured course offered by a college. A Prior Learning Assessment is not a short cut to a degree, and online courses are not necessarily easier or more convenient. They are self-motivated learning experiences that require dedication and desire. Prior Learning Assessment accepts only that which is considered to be college-level learning, not experiences. Be sure you have the documentation to verify your learning. In some cases, taking the actual course, either on-campus or online, may be the better option.
What types of information can be used for a Prior Learning Assessment?
Credit is awarded for the knowledge gained, not for the experience itself; therefore, credit is granted for verifiable college-level learning acquired through life or work experience. Some of the possible sources for prior college-level learning include work experience, non-credit courses, seminars, in-service training programs, volunteer work in the community, hobbies, recreational activities, independent reading and research, and military service.
The Prior Learning Assessment Process
Step 1: Student contacts the Student Records Office expressing interest in Prior Learning Assessment
Step 2: Personnel will then:

CREDIT BY NON-TRADITIONAL METHODS
Students at Bismarck State College may earn college credit through the non-traditional methods listed in this section. However, you must be a currently or previously enrolled BSC student to receive credit in this way.

The maximum number of credits that can be applied for graduation purposes will vary, depending on your program of study. Generally, no more than 30 credits earned by non-traditional methods may be applied toward a degree or program certificate at BSC. Exceptions to the BSC 30 non-traditional credit limits are approved only through formal degree or program procedural justification that is approved by the Faculty Senate Academic Standards committee, Faculty Senate and Administration. For example, the EMT paramedic program procedure allows for 37 specific non-traditional credits.

Students should be aware that each college has policies governing credit by non-traditional methods, and that credits awarded by BSC might not be accepted or awarded by other colleges.

Further details on all these programs are available in the BSC Student Records Office. Student Records personnel will determine the suitability and applicability of these credits and courses toward meeting graduation requirements at BSC.

View student policies on CLEP - College Level Examination Program and College Credit for Advanced Placement.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Bismarck State College awards college credit for successful completion of CLEP examinations. Since CLEP policies vary from institution to institution, students are advised to review the CLEP policies of the institution they plan to transfer to before they write any CLEP exams.

Institutional Challenge Exams. Students may challenge selected courses for credit at BSC.

Military Training Programs. BSC awards college credit for selected and successfully completed military training programs as outlined in the "Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces," prepared by the American Council on Education. The number of credits awarded will be based on evaluation and recommendation of the BSC Registrar and the appropriate department chairperson. Eligible students must submit official documentation (dates, locations, course titles, identification numbers, and other supporting information) for evaluation.

High School Articulation Agreements. Students enrolled in secondary schools which have a signed articulation agreement with BSC may use the process for testing as outlined in the agreement. Articulation agreements provide students the opportunity to earn college credit based on competencies acquired in high school.