Articulated Degree Programs
BMCC enjoys articulation agreements with a variety of institutions. The following agreements allow you to attain your degree while staying in your local area.
CUESTE: Teacher Education Program
CUESTE (pronounced quest) stands for Curriculum of Undergraduate Elementary School Teacher Education and is a collaborative program between BMCC and Eastern Oregon University (EOU).
Students seeking elementary teacher licensure need to complete a major in multidisciplinary studies; a minor in an academic area, endorsement area, or course of study; and a minor in elementary education. When students are within 100 credit hours of finishing the CUESTE program requirements, they may apply to EOU’s CUESTE program. The completion of CUESTE program requirements leads to a bachelor’s degree (science or art) in multidisciplinary studies, a minor in elementary education, and certification in primary (age 4 through grade 4) and elementary (3-8) grades. Through the CUESTE program, BMCC offers the first two years of the associate of arts transfer (A.A.O.T.) degree, and EOU provides the last two years of the elementary education degree at BMCC’s Pendleton campus.
Two full-time EOU education professors are in residence at BMCC’s Pendleton campus to advise students, teach classes, and coordinate EOU and BMCC processes. (Please note: Much of the major course work for secondary teaching certification may be acquired through distance education courses available from EOU and BMCC. However, the secondary education component needs to be completed on EOU’s campus in LaGrande.)
CUESTE is a highly prescriptive program that entails several key elements:
Multidisciplinary Studies Degree. This degree requires students to have core courses, experiences, and competencies in social science, humanities, natural sciences, mathematics, creative arts, and music. The degree requires a total of approximately 120 credit hours of BMCC classes. Students also earn their A.A.O.T. from BMCC when completing these requirements.Education Minor. Students will complete 45 credits of education courses designed to meet Oregon state requirements for elementary licensure and upper division (300/400 level) course requirements for their multidisciplinary studies degree.Academic Minor, Course of Study, or Endorsement Preparation. Students have several choices to fulfill the 30 credits that add to their Multidisciplinary studies degree and education course:ESOL Endorsement area: Most CUESTE students will earn their additional required credits in the ESOL endorsement area. The ESOL program includes 15 credits of lower division (100/200 level) education related courses and 21 credits of ESOL upper division (300/400 level courses. To add an ESOL endorsement on their Oregon teacher licensure, students must also pass the Oregon state-required ESOL exam.Course of Study: In some cases, students may have the option of a course of study. This requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in a field of study or interest that is limited to those disciplines that are traditionally taught in elementary schools. At least 15 of the 30 credits must be upper division (330/400 level) courses. In some cases, the 15 lower division courses (100/200 level) may be part of the 120 credit hours of the multidisciplinary studies degree.Academic Minor. This option is limited to special circumstances. It requires a minimum of 30 credit hours in a discipline area that is traditionally taught in elementary schools. The courses must meet the academic minor requirements of the particular discipline (a check list of requirements is provided for each minor). At least 15 of the 30 credits must be upper division (330/400 level) courses. In some cases, some the 15 lower division courses (100/200 level) may be part of the 120 credit hours of the multidisciplinary studies degree.
To receive a license to teach in Oregon, students must complete their bachelor’s degree and a teacher licensure program (e.g., CUESTE) and must successfully pass the standardized tests as outlined by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC). For more information regarding the CUESTE program call 541-278-5802.
Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Program
(Limited entry program)
Blue Mountain Community College has partnered with Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) in Washington State and with Interpath Labs, a local business, to offer an associate of technical sciences degree awarded through WVC. You will be able to stay in eastern Oregon while working toward this degree. BMCC offers the program’s first-year courses, and WVC offers the second-year courses through interactive television broadcast to the BMCC Pendleton campus. To meet program requirements for clinical experience, Interpath Labs works with BMCC to place students in local clinical settings.
Using state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and procedures, medical laboratory technicians analyze blood samples in hospitals, laboratories, and clinics to determine the nature and cause of suspected illnesses. Even though the medical laboratory technician position ranks twenty-third out of 250 in a recent job satisfaction survey, there are not nearly enough MLTs to meet the nation’s health care needs.
For more information about this exciting educational opportunity, visit either BMCC’s Website or Wenatchee Valley’s MLT site at http://www.wvc.edu/directory/departments/medlabtech/default.asp. You may also contact a BMCC advisor at 541-278-5876 for information.
Diagnostic Imaging
Blue Mountain Community College, Linn Benton Community College (LBCC), St. Anthony Hospital, St. Elizabeth Hospital, and Blue Mountain Hospital have partnered to offer an associate of general studies degree and a certificate in diagnostic imaging awarded through LBCC. BMCC offers the program’s first-year courses, and LBCC offers academic and clinical education through a variety of learning technologies, including the Blackboard Web-based learning management system, streamed video and audio files, email, Web conferencing, and lab practice with clinical mentors. The program provides clinical education in a variety of settings and prepares the student for work as an entry-level radiologic technologist. You will be able to stay in eastern Oregon while working toward this degree.
Students prepare to practice as proficient, multi-skilled professionals in culturally diverse health care settings; to demonstrate outcomes required by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and program guidelines; and to apply for and successfully complete ARRT certification examinations.
For more information about this educational opportunity, visit
http://www.linnbenton.edu/diagnosticimaging/index.html or contact a BMCC advisor at 541-278-5876 for information.
