Academic Policy

BCCAT welcomes applications for admissions from individuals committed to learning English as a Second Language. BCCAT offers English classes from beginner level to advanced. Admission level will be determined through a standardized written and oral placement test completed as part of the admissions process. At the completion of each level students will be tested to determine whether they have successfully achieved the requirements of the program. Applicants must be aged 18 or older for admission to BCCAT.

BCCAT encourages application from students with an enthusiasm for learning and a desire gain fluency in English. Applicants must complete a registration form and meet all other admission requirements. 

BCCAT follows the principle of the right to freedom of inquiry by its faculty and students however it is expected that teachers and students will use good judgment and avoid controversial matter that is unrelated to the teaching material as defined through BCCAT’s mission statement. 

Students have the freedom to learn and the right to appropriate conditions for learning in the classroom and on BCCAT premises. It is expected that students will exercise this freedom with responsibility. Academic freedom requires the teacher to encourage open discussion of course content and to ensure students’ rights to freedom of reasoned exception to the course content. At the same time students are responsible for maintaining adequate academic standards of the course(s) they are enrolled in. BCCAT evaluates students solely on an academic basis, not on opinions unrelated to academic standards.

Students are required to attend at least 80% of each semester’s classes. Absenteeism exceeding 20% may lead to the termination of F-1 status. For medical absences, students must provide a doctor's note to the school, either in person or via email. Students must notify the school and provide a reason for any absence.

Excessive absences may result in the termination of the student’s Form I-20 and F-1 status, which could require the student to leave the United States.

To progress to the next level in a course, students must achieve a grade of C or higher. If this standard is not met, the student must retake the class. Retaking the same course more than twice is not encouraged, and approval from the director is required for any additional attempts, recognizing that language development may vary based on individual backgrounds and cognitive skills.

Students must attend at least 75% of the coursework to avoid repeating a class, unless they pass both the midterm and final exams. A course may not be repeated more than twice, with a maximum of three attempts allowed throughout the program.

The typical program duration is 2.5 to 3 years, with a maximum of 4 to 4.5 years permitted in cases of insufficient academic progress. Failure to complete the program within this timeframe or maintain normal progress may lead to SEVIS termination, loss of F-1 status, and required departure from the U.S.

A  90-100 Excellent

B  80-89 Good

C  70-79 Pass

D  60-69 Fail

F  59-below Fail

I  Incomplete

W  Withdrawal