College Transition Programs
Mission
The College Transition Programs department provides instruction, college and career readiness training, and support to local residents seeking skills and credentials for a better quality of life. The knowledge and professional skills gained within our programs enable participants to succeed in post-secondary education and in the global job market.
All College Transition Program classes are free of charge except for the BPCC Bridge Program.
Please check your email for communication from our staff.
Programs
High School Equivalency classes prepare students to take and pass the ETS HiSET exam. Registration consists of a completed application and the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). TABE results indicate students’ foundation knowledge allowing for appropriate class placement and enrollment. Students attend class approximately six hours per week, for eight weeks, and are re-tested to determine their readiness for the ETS HiSET exam. Some students may be prepared for the HiSET prior to the end of their class session and will be referred to take the HiSET test early.
Classes available mornings, evenings, online and in Spanish. Classes are free of charge, however there is a cost associated with the HiSET Test.
Las clases de equivalencia de escuela secundaria preparan a los estudiantes para tomar y aprobar el examen de ETS HiSET. La inscripción consiste en completar una solicitud y en hacer una Prueba de Educación Básica para Adultos (TABE). Los resultados de TABE indican el conocimiento básico de los estudiantes que permite la colocación e inscripción adecuadas en la clase. Los estudiantes asisten a clases aproximadamente seis horas por semana, durante ocho semanas, y se les vuelve a evaluar para determinar si están preparados para el examen de ETS HiSET. Algunos estudiantes pueden estar preparados para el HiSET antes de terminar su sesión de clase y en ese caso pueden presentar el examen HiSET sin haber terminado la sesión.
| Class sessions (Sesiones de clase) | |
|---|---|
| August-October (agosto-octubre) | January-March (enero-marzo) |
| October-December (octubre-diciembre) | March-May (marzo-mayo) |
For your convenience, classes are offered at the following locations:
Bossier Parish Community College (English and Spanish)
6220 E Texas Street, Building D Room 145
Bossier City, LA 71111
Common Ground of Shreveport
6725 Southern Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71106
Goodwill Industries of North Louisiana (Ages 16-24 only)
800 West 70th Street, Job Center
Shreveport, LA 71108
Registration/inscripciones
Students may register in person or online. Registration takes place at Bossier Parish Community College, Building D, Room 118 each Friday at 8:30 a.m. (except on Fridays on holiday weekends).
Puede inscribirse en persona o en línea. Las inscripciones se realizan a Bossier Parish Community College en el Edificio D, Sálon 118 todos los viernes a las 8:30 a.m. (excepto los viernes que caen en fines de semana festivos).
Online registration is available by completing the application in the “Apply Now” link.
La inscripción en línea está disponible completando la solicitud en el enlace "Regístrate ahora."
For more information, call 318-678-6326 or email ctp@bpcc.edu
Para más informes, manda correo electrónico a ctp@bpcc.edu
See also:
HOW CAN I EARN MY HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY (HSE)?
In Louisiana, there are 5 ways to earn your High School Equivalency (HSE), and skill-building, HSE preparation classes are FREE through BPCC’s College Transition Programs (an official and approved member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) WorkReady U/Adult education network.)
1. HiSET or GED Exam
If you are between the ages of 16-18, then you must provide the following for HiSET or GED eligibility:
- Enrollment in an approved WorkReady U program/and or the required testing authorization.
- Enrollment in a state-recognized K-12 LA “Options” program AND required testing authorization.
- HiSET or GED Official Practice Test administered by WorkReady U program with state qualifying scores (Prepared or Well-Prepared).
If you are 19 or older, then you are eligible to take the HiSET or GED exam without providing additional documentation
Additional Information
HiSET
- Tests for 5 subject areas (Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies)
- Has a time limit on each subject test
- Takes about 7 hours to complete.
- Is available in English and Spanish
- Option take a computer-based or paper-based test
- Costs $115 for ALL subject tests. Retaking a subject test costs $6 per subject test.
- Each subject test may be retaken no more than 3 times in one calendar year
GED
- Tests for 4 subject areas (English Literacy (includes reading and writing), Math, Social Studies, and Science)
- Has a time limit on each subject test
- Takes about 7 hours to complete
- Is available in English and Spanish
- Computer-based testing only
- Costs $154 for ALL subject tests. Retaking a subject tests costs $26 per subject test
- There is no limit on how many times you can test in one year, but after retesting on a subject 3 times, you have to wait 60 days before retesting.
2. College and Career Pathway
If you are 18 and older and without a high school diploma, then you can learn foundational and high-demand workforce skills while earning your HSE (High School Equivalency) at the same time!
- Earn an approved Industry Based Credential (IBC)
- Earn 12 credit hours of career and technical coursework (through course completion and/or earning IBC’s that transfer to course credit)
- Demonstrate foundational skills in Reading, Writing, and Math through course completion and/or Adult Education assessments.
Additional Information
- Complete your HSE without taking a high-pressure test
- Take classes in career path of your choosing and complete college credits plus industry certifications
- College Transition Programs’ classes are offered FREE
- Just by being a College Transition Programs’ student you could qualify for grants or scholarships to pay for workforce training, college course, or certification exams while working on your HSE
3. College Placement Test
If you are 18 or older, and not enrolled in high school, and without a high school diploma, then you can earn the minimum standard score on an approved placement test that is based on the English and Math scores required to demonstrate college readiness in Louisiana to earn your high school equivalency (HSE) diploma.
- ACT
- English = 18 or higher
- Math – 19 or higher
- ACCUPLACER (Next Generation)
- English = 250 or higher
- Math (QAS-Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics) = 250 or higher
Additional Information
- Earning minimum scores on either the ACT or ACCUPLACER test would meet the requirements for BOTH HSE and college admissions.
- ACCUPLACER is a computer-based exam with no time limit, tests in 2 subject areas (Writing and Math) and is FREE for qualifying College Transition Programs students.
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Test Scores for both ACT and ACCUPLACER must have been earned within 5 years of HSE application date
4. College Preparation Courses
If you are 18 or older, not enrolled in high school, and without a high school diploma, then you can earn your high school equivalency (HSE) diploma by demonstrating college readiness by successfully completing developmental or corequisite coursework with a grade of “C” or better in Mathematics and English at an LCTCS college.
Additional Information
- Courses must have been completed within 5 years of HSE application date
- Courses need not be taken at the same LCTCS college
5. Placement Test + College Prep Courses
If you are 18 or older, not enrolled in high school, and without a high school diploma then you can demonstrate college readiness through a combination of coursework at an LCTCS college and the minimum standard score on an approved placement test.
For example, you could complete a developmental or corequisite English at an LCTCS college with a grade of “C” or above (College Preparation Courses) and complete your Math requirement using a satisfactory ACT or ACCUPLACER score (College Placement Tests).
College Transition Programs prepare students to earn their Louisiana High School Diploma and enter into the following Career Pathways at NO CHARGE:
- Allied Health
- Information Technology
- Business
Career pathways provide education and training that is organized as a series of manageable steps leading to successively higher credentials and employment opportunities in growing occupations. Each step is designed to prepare individuals for the next level of employment and education and provide a credential with labor market value.
This is achieved by helping students complete the following goals while preparing to enter into one of our designated career pathways:
1. Achieve Basic Skills Knowledge
Basic Skills Knowledge courses strengthen Reading, Math, and Language Arts skills and are offered six hours per week for eight week sessions. These classes focus on reading comprehension and mathematic skills and provide contextualized instruction for the career pathway for Allied Health, Information Technology, or Manufacturing. Students will be assessed to ensure these foundational skills are achieved.
2. Earn recognized Industry Based Certificate (IBC)
Students enrolled in Career Pathway courses will receive instruction supporting the completion of industry-based credentials in their Career Pathway. Industry-based credentials (or IBCs) are certifications created by industries to confirm that individuals have mastered the critical skills necessary to be effective employees. IBCs include both technical skills and workplace skills.
The IBCs that may be earned in Career Pathways courses are:
- Allied Health: Basic Life Support/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Information Technology: Comptia IT Fundamentals, A+ Certification
- Business: Quickbooks Certification
3. Complete 12 credit hours of technical education course work
After completing Career Pathway courses, qualified students will enroll in college courses supporting their pathway. The first 6 hours are covered by scholarship funds. The College Transition Program Career Pathways align to the following college majors:
- Allied Health: ECG/Telemetry
- Information Technology: Help Desk Certificate
- Business: Business Entrepreneurship Certificate of Technical Studies
The classes provided through the scholarship funds are six hours per week for sixteen-week sessions, from August-December and January-May.
The achievement of these 3 goals makes up the Integrated Career Pathways Portfolio, which is key in earning the Louisiana High School Diploma. Upon completion of the Integrated Career Pathways Portfolio, students may submit their Integrated Career Pathways Portfolio to the Louisiana High School Equivalency Application and fee of $50 to the Louisiana Community and Technical College System for their Louisiana High School Diploma.
Career Pathways classes are free of charge and available mornings at Bossier Parish Community College and online.
Registration
Students may register in-person or online. Registration takes place at Bossier Parish Community College, Building D, Room 118 each Friday at 8:30 a.m. (except on Fridays on holiday weekends).
Online registration is available by completing the application in the “Apply Now” link.
The English Language Services (ELS) program at BPCC includes all English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses and activities. Our classes and community are designed to encourage collaboration while pursuing individual goals. Students enjoy support from instructors, staff, and classmates as they develop proficiencies in English language reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Online and in-person classes prepare students for success with communications in their careers, their classrooms, and beyond by providing ongoing instruction and coaching in a range of technological, educational, and cultural areas.
Students attend class six hours per week for approximately eight weeks per session.
Classes are offered morning, evening and online.
| Class sessions | |
|---|---|
| August-October | January-March |
| October-December | March-May |
| Abbreviated session offered during the month of June. | |
For your convenience, classes are offered at the following locations:
Bossier Parish Community College
6220 E Texas St, Building D Room 145
Bossier City, LA 71111
Catholic Charities of North Louisiana
902 Olive St
Shreveport, LA 71101
REGISTRATION
Students may register in person or online. Registration takes place at Bossier Parish Community College, Building D, Room 227 each Friday at 9:00 a.m. (except on Fridays on holiday weekends).
Online registration is available by completing the application in the “Apply Now” link and completing the TABE assessment from your home computer.
The Citizenship course prepares immigrants for the US Naturalization Test. This course will cover American history, government, and culture. Practice sessions for the naturalization interview and citizenship test are also included in this course.
Eligible applicants should be able to speak and read English at high-beginner level or higher, as measured on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE)
Registration
Students may register in person or online. Registration takes place at Bossier Parish Community College, Building D, Room 227 each Friday at 9:00 a.m. (except on Fridays on holiday weekends).
Online registration is available by completing the application in the “Apply Now” link and completing the TABE assessment from your home computer.
Learn how to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills. Students will learn to navigate the internet, identify legitimate informational sites, and learn to use programs and applications necessary to be successful in school or the workforce.
Students attend six hours per week for eight week sessions.
Classes available mornings and evenings.
For your convenience, classes are offered at the following locations:
Bossier Parish Community College
6220 E Texas St, Building D Room 145
Bossier City, LA 71111
Goodwill of North Louisiana
800 W 70th St
Job Center
Shreveport, LA 71108
Common Ground Shreveport
6725 Southern Ave
Shreveport, LA 71106
Registration
Registration takes place at Bossier Parish Community College, Building D, Room 145 each Friday at 8:30 a.m. (except on Fridays on holiday weekends).
Learn the skills needed to function effectively, efficiently and safely in the workplace. Workplace literacy includes reading, writing, and math skills as well as critical thinking, computer use, and the ability to work with others. These courses are offered in partnership with regional employers, in their place of business, to their existing employees.
Course schedules are arranged in partnership agreement between College Transition Programs and area employers.
Interested companies may contact 318-678-6405 or jtison@bpcc.edu for more information.