The College Preparatory Programs Department is located in Morrow Hall on the Pendleton campus. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The College Preparatory Programs Department includes the following program areas: adult basic education (ABE), general educational development (GED) preparation, English as a second language (ESL), JOBS program, and college preparation courses. The department also offers the following transfer courses: HD100 College Survival and Success and HD109 Academic Planning. For more information about any of these programs, call 541-278-5803 or visit us on the Web at www.bluecc.edu.
The ABE program serves students who are at least sixteen years of age and not enrolled in school. Students who are sixteen and seventeen must have a release from the high school district in which they reside. Students in the ABE program must take CASAS tests as part of the entry requirements and demonstrate functioning skills below the post-secondary level.
ABE instruction is available for students interested in improving basic skills in reading, writing, and/or math. ABE programs operate at the following BMCC locations: Pendleton, Hermiston, Baker City, Milton-Freewater, Boardman, Enterprise, Wallowa, and John Day.
ESL instruction is offered for people for whom English is not their primary language. They can receive instruction in oral communication, adult survival skills, and English reading and writing skills. ESL courses are available at the following BMCC locations: Pendleton, Hermiston, Milton-Freewater, Boardman, and Baker City.
GED preparation is available for students who are studying to pass the battery of GED tests. Instruction in reading, writing, and math is available in the classroom. GED preparation courses are available at the following BMCC locations: Pendleton, Hermiston, Milton-Freewater, Baker County, Boardman, Enterprise, Wallowa, and John Day.
Students earn the GED certificate when they receive passing scores on the five parts of this standardized exam. A school release is required before an individual under eighteen years of age may attempt the test. Information on testing and school release may be obtained from the BMCC testing center in Pendleton at 541-278-5931. Students earning a GED may participate in the BMCC commencement exercises held in June.
JOBS for Oregon’s Future (JOBS: Job Opportunities and Basic Skills) is the state’s employment and training program for people on public assistance. In addition, JOBS can help low-income families avoid the need for welfare.
Through a contract with the Oregon Department of Human Services, BMCC provides JOBS Program services in Umatilla County, including employment assessment, work-search assistance, and training in workplace basics and life skills. Clients receiving help through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program may be eligible for JOBS Plus services, which places persons in limited-duration training positions with private employers. As part of BMCC’s Department of College Preparatory Programs, the JOBS Program works closely with basic skills offerings as well as with other BMCC educational services in order to help JOBS students meet their goals.
The JOBS Program is located at BMCC Hermiston, BMCC Milton-Freewater, and the Oregon Employment Department in Pendleton. For more information, please call the JOBS Program manager at 541-938-4082 x3172.
College preparation courses include language arts, math, and writing. A student’s COMPASS placement score determines whether and at which level the student should be placed into a college preparation course. Students can also decide independently to take college preparation courses to improve their basic skills knowledge. Instructors also may refer students whose academic performance indicates they would benefit from additional college preparation. In addition, students can be referred by their instructors based upon their performance in class. College preparation courses are offered at the following BMCC locations: Pendleton, Hermiston, Milton-Freewater, and Baker City.