Career Education Program Registration

Enrollment Steps

Step 1: Apply for Admission to Bates Technical College

  1. Complete the online application.
  2. Upon acceptance, you will receive an email that includes your next steps.
  3. If you are interested in applying Bates Technical High School, please go to high school page for more information.

Step 2: Attend a Virtual Information Session
Information Sessions for career programs have moved to a new format! This is your opportunity to get all the information you need in one place for becoming a successful student while at Bates Technical College, no matter what your program of study. Best of all, since it’s virtual, you can participate when it’s convenient for you.

“Getting Started: Steps to Enrollment” is a virtual information session offering a step-by-step introduction to what you need to do to be admitted to Bates and what resources you will want to take advantage of as you begin your educational journey with us.

Step 3: Apply for financial aid, learn about ways to pay

You may apply for financial aid in three simple steps:

  1. Create a FSA ID at www.studentaid.ed.gov.
  2. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA). Have your tax return handy to answer the income questions.
  3. Complete other materials as requested by the Financial Aid Office.

You will need your FSA ID and previous year’s tax return or W2s handy to answer the income questions. Bates Technical College’s school code is 012259.

Step 4: Establish College Placement
There are two basic ways to complete math and English placement requirements. You can complete Option A: upload documents for previous test scores or unofficial transcripts, or you can complete Option B: complete a self-guided placement process for a current assessment of your skills. Choose one option:

To get started, please complete the Placement Plan Form. After completing this form, return to this page to complete Option A or Option B.

Option A: Upload your documents into the Placement Plan form linked above for previous tests scores (Accuplacer, Smarter Balance, ACT or SAT), unofficial high school or college transcripts, GED certificate in preparation for your mandatory advising appointment. Accuplacer, Smarter Balance, unofficial high school transcripts, and GED certificates are valid within the last 2 years only.

Option B: Depending upon your academic background, you may need to complete a self-guided placement process for Math and/or English for a current assessment of your skills. Note: Each of these resources is designed to assess current skills and will include opportunities to review and refresh your skills.


Math Boot Camp & Assessment

English Directed Self-Placement

Once you complete these processes, your results will be forwarded to you and your career advisor who will assist in placing you at the correct level in your required general education courses to receive your degree or credential.

Official college transcripts: This two-part process requires you to submit an official transcript from your previous institutions to have applicable earned credit applied to your career program. See our Transfer Student webpage for more information including completion of the Credit Evaluation Form.

Step 5: Register for Classes
Once you have completed the above steps, you are ready to register for classes. All new students are required to meet with a career advisor to register for classes their first quarter. Call 253.680.7002 to schedule your appointment.

Please bring your assessment scores or transcripts to this appointment. Your non-refundable $50 registration fee is due at this time. If the registration fee is a hardship, please discuss this with your career advisor as alternative funding sources are sometimes available. 

Military Service Personnel and eligible dependents: Eligible service members who intend to utilize Tuition Assistance (TA) must receive approval from an Educational Services Officer (ESO) or Counselor within the Military Services prior to enrolling for courses at Bates Technical College.

STEP 6: Attend New Student Orientation
Register to attend a New Student Orientation. Get your parking pass and student ID. Learn about student resources at the college.