Letters From the President

A Letter from the President

Hello, BC Students –

You did it!  We collectively did it.

We have reached the end of a challenging fall semester that has been fraught with starts and stops and many other adaptations. Regardless of your program, location or delivery, I admire your tenacity to stay with it throughout all the interruptions and changes. This has definitely been a semester like no other.

Some of you will be graduating tomorrow, and we look forward to celebrating with you and your families on your grand achievement. For everyone else, we look forward to seeing you either in Fall Term 3 or in the spring. For those with in-class instruction or labs, we plan on resuming instruction in January just as we were doing this semester. For traditional students, please remember there are protocols for when you return to campus. Check your email from Alan Smith on November 20, 2020.  And, remember that everyone will be tested again whether you arrive back on campus in Bluefield or Blacksburg.

If you take nothing else away from this message, know that we are proud of you! You persevered to make it through the semester. I hope you are able to find time in the coming weeks to pause and reflect on what you have accomplished. May it be the inspiration you need to take on the spring semester with vigor and determination. Also, as you reflect, may you also create space to ponder the approaching celebration of Jesus’ arrival, the Immanuel, and how blessed we are to have God with us.

Just as shepherds many years ago had their normal, ordinary lives interrupted that evening when they received the good news of Jesus’ arrival into our world, may you recognize this sacred moment in your own life as well. As expressed beautifully by Frederick Buechner, “The sacred moments, the moments of a miracle, are often the everyday moments, the moments which, if we do not look with more than our eyes or listen with more than our ears reveal only a gardener, a stranger coming down the road behind us, a meal like any other meal.  But if we look with our hearts, if we listen with all our being and imagination, what we may see us Jesus himself.”

Don’t miss the miracle of Christmas!

Partnering with you in faithful service to one another and our neighbor,

Do I only apply once?

  • No. Students must apply each academic year for the fall semester and submit the necessary documents.

Do I have to take the classes specified in the Associate's Degree tracks as they are listed on the information sheet?

  • No. Students may take any of the courses that are offered in a given term.

Where do I find the textbook listing, and where do I purchase the books?

  • Log in to myBU, and under the "Student" tab, you will find a list of the textbooks required (if any) for each course. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks.

How long is a semester?

  • Our semesters are divided into two 8-week terms.

Is there an orientation?

  • Yes. Students can attend an orientation session that explains how to access courses, how to register for classes, and answers other questions.

Where can I find a course description?

Does the student need to take the SAT or ACT in order to take Dual Enrollment classes?

  • No. If a student decides to study at BU full time, BU is currently test-optional for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle.

Are the classes live? Do students need to log in and participate at certain times?

  • Classes are offered online, so a student can log-on and study at their convenience and their own pace. Students have assignments due each week; you can complete your assignments at any point in time before the deadline.

Does an Early College student need to come to campus for anything?

  • No. However, we would love to have you visit our campus if you are interested in continuing with traditional on-campus study. Students who complete their associate's degree have the option to walk at our commencement ceremony.

Are Early College students able to receive Financial Aid?

  • No. However, Early College courses are very affordable compared to other options. The cost for an online Dual Enrollment course is $100 per credit hour.

How do transferring credits work?

  • Each College or University completes a transcript review in order to decide which courses transfer. Sticking to general education classes generally makes transferring credits simple. All Early College courses at Bluefield University are general education classes that should transfer to another accredited institution.

Is an Early College student considered, and treated, as a transfer student when they become a full-time college student if they have earned enough credits to be a Junior?

  • No. Since they have not graduated from high school, they are considered a first-time college student regardless of how many credits transfer. However, by transferring credits when they enroll as a full-time student, they will have to take fewer classes to receive their bachelor's degree, which shortens the length of time to earn the degree.

Can I speak to someone if I have more questions?

  • Yes. Please contact the Office of Admissions by email or you can call them at 276.326.4231

 

Meet our core Counseling faculty

Dr. Challen Mabry

Assistant Professor of Counseling

Dr. Kristen Moran

Associate Professor of Counseling

Brandy Smith

Assistant Professor of Education & Counseling,
Director of the Master of Arts in Counseling Program,
Title IX Confidential Counselor

Our team is here for you! How can we help?

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