Same class, different college: UK, BCTC partner to ease credit transfer between schools

By Nate Courtney

Trenton Fields sits at his home on Crescent Avenue with his history textbook open. His next history test is coming up soon and, like any hard working college student, he wants to be fully prepared.

Fields goes White Hall Classroom Building for class, regularly works out at the Johnson Center, and all his classmates are UK students — but he is not.

Fields is currently enrolled in the “BCTCblue+” program, which allows BCTC students to take UK classes for the first time since BCTC became its own institution in 2007.

“A lot of students were concerned that their credits were not going to transfer to the University of Kentucky,” said Palisa Rushin, vice president and head of Student Development and Enrollment services at BCTC.

This concern led to the formation of a team just over a year ago composed of admissions officers, financial aid representatives, housing officials and student advisers from UK and BCTC. The team worked to reignite a partnership between BCTC and UK.

“It really is like getting a head start,” Fields said. “I’ve enjoyed (the program) so far.”

Ray Archer, the UK student adviser at BCTC, is in charge of advising students currently enrolled and those who wish to join.

“The separation of both institutions has caused confusion about transferring credits from BCTC to UK,” Archer said. “It is basically as it was before. We want to provide a pathway for BCTC students wanting to proceed in attaining a bachelor’s degree at UK.”

BCTC president and CEO Augusta Julian said this program will focus on helping BCTC students get an associate degree first, and then proceed to major classes at UK.

“Most of the students in the program this semester are taking pre-major classes that are not available at BCTC,” Julian said. “This program will allow student(s) to fulfill associate degree requirements (at BCTC) and not duplicate electives.”

As Fields continues to fulfil his associate degree requirements at BCTC, he is starting to take his upper-level history classes at UK.

Students pay the same tuition rates per UK class as they would per BCTC class, and the application fee is waived when a student registers with an adviser. The only added expense is a student’s activities fee, which includes access to facilities such as the Johnson Center.

“This program is (financially) at a reduced rate,” Archer said. “There is no (financial) downside.”

BCTC students also get exposure to UK classes, which can help them gain confidence down the road.

“Taking courses will give our students valuable experience before they move on to the University of Kentucky,” Julian said. “That exposure will absolutely prepare them.”

Archer said the most important goal for implementing the BCTCblue+ program is helping provide a focused pathway for the BCTC students hoping to go on to UK.

“For example, it is difficult for engineering majors at BCTC to fulfill all pre-major requirements only at BCTC,” he said. “We will provide direction and advise them for which classes to take at UK through the BCTCblue+ program.”

A student in the BCTCblue+ program is considered a full-time student enrolled at BCTC and a non-degree student enrolled at UK, increasing total enrollment for both schools.

Julian said she and UK President Lee Todd are behind the issue of expanding higher education. This program will help increase transfers from two-year to four-year colleges, she said.

“This connection is critical for students all across the Commonwealth because it will give an opportunity to achieve the necessary credits (to graduate) and reach professional careers,” Julian said. “I can only hope this program will grow.”

Julian is confident this program will once again renew the historical relationship between schools.

“Dr. Todd has been very supportive of this program and building relationships for BCTC students to succeed,” she said. “(BCTC) will continue to have a long-standing relationship with UK.”