Academic Programs

Academic Programs

All associate degree majors are designed to fully reflect the faculty’s philosophy of curriculum as stated in “A Definition of an Educated Person.”

There are two types of associate degree majors: occupational and transfer.

Occupational majors–Occupational programs are designed primarily to prepare graduates for entry-level employment in positions which require both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Bucks offers occupational programs in fields as varied as accounting, nursing, chef apprenticeship, networking technology, paralegal, medical assistant, microcomputer applications, graphic design and fine woodworking.

Although occupational programs are designed for students seeking employment immediately after completion, many of the courses in these programs will transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Transfer of these courses is made easier because of the College's accreditation by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, the Business Studies Department's accreditation by the Association of Collegiate Business School and Programs (ACBSP), and, in the Department of the Arts, accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Consult with the Transfer and Job Placement Office for the transferability of courses.

All occupational programs are guided by advisory committees. Practitioners in the various fields meet with College faculty to discuss the skills and abilities needed for the job market. These advisory committees and the ongoing evaluation they provide ensure that the College's occupational programs are relevant and up to date.

Occupational degree programs require four or more semesters of full-time study for completion and include courses that provide both concentrated study in a particular field and general education designed to broaden a student's knowledge and skills beyond the area of concentration. Occupational certificate programs usually require two or more semesters for completion, and all the required courses focus on occupational skills.

Transfer majors– Transfer programs are designed to parallel the first two years of study in a variety of subject areas at the four-year institutions to which our students most frequently transfer. Transfer of course credits is entirely determined by the receiving institution. Students planning to transfer to a bachelor degree-granting institution are encouraged to obtain a current catalog for that institution. Courses should be selected to parallel the requirements at that institution. Many area colleges have transfer (articulation) agreements with Bucks County Community College. Information on these agreements can be obtained in the academic department offices and at Transfer Services.

Certificate programs - A certificate of completion is awarded to a student who successfully completes a prescribed program. Depending on the program, certificate requirements may be completed in one or two semesters. All required courses in certificate programs focus on developing occupational skills. Credits earned in a certificate program may be applied toward an associate degree.

The type of major does not necessarily limit a student’s options after completion. Students who complete an occupational major may successfully transfer many of their credits to a four-year institution. Students who complete a transfer major may successfully secure entry level employment after graduation.

Students are urged to work closely with an academic advisor in choosing courses for a major. While the responsibility for the selection of courses is the student’s, the advice and help of an academic advisor is based upon knowledge and experience and can aid the student in making wise and constructive major and course decisions.

Most majors are designed to be completed in four semesters of full-time (15 to 17 credits) study. A variety of circumstances such as a change in major, or required work in English, mathematics or reading as a result of placement testing, may require a longer time for completion. A recommended sequence of courses is provided for each semester. This schedule is given as a guide for students in planning their course selections. Students are urged to complete all courses required as a result of placement testing immediately. The time of year a student enters a major may require the student to depart from the recommended sequence. In any case, students should work with an academic advisor in planning their individual course of study.

A Touchstone for the Curriculum at Bucks County Community College

A Definition of an Educated Person

A Statement from the Faculty:

Education can help us live more complete and meaningful lives by nurturing essential values and skills. By valuing uniqueness and diversity, we accept our responsibility for their protection. By valuing open-minded inquiry, we may accept that, while we can seek certainties, perspectives may be the best we can gain. By valuing growth as a lifelong process and recognizing change as inevitable, we may work towards goals whose fruition may lie beyond our lifetime. By valuing the ability to analyze and make reasoned judgments, we may gain insights into ourselves and our world and a greater understanding of the interdependency of all things. By valuing the ability to communicate, we may give expression to our vision of the world where people can work cooperatively to improve their environment and the condition of their lives.

We believe that the curriculum of Bucks County Community College must endeavor to nurture such values and foster such skills. It must seek to empower its students by making them aware of the influences that affect their lives and confident of their ability to effect change in their lives and in the world. It must help them to make connections among disciplines, help them develop an integrated view of knowledge, and help them recognize that their use of knowledge always carries consequences, as well as moral and ethical responsibilities.

Arts
Associate Degree Programs
Transfer
1181 Cinema/Video Production
1120 Communication Studies
1121 Communication: Performance
1001 Fine Arts
1187 Fine Woodworking
1110 Graphic Design
1019 Music
1175 Multimedia

Occupational
2111 Graphic Design

Certificate Programs
3152 3-D Animation
3185 Applied Photography
3147 Web Design & Multimedia
3187 Furniture and Cabinetmaking

Business Studies
Associate Degree Programs
Transfer
1009 Business Administration

Occupational
2016 Accounting
2056 Chef Apprenticeship: Foods emphasis *
2098 Chef Apprenticeship: Pastry emphasis *
2022 Hospitality Tourism Management
2101 Food Service Management
2015 Management/Marketing
2131 Medical Assistant
2068 Occupational Studies
2150 Office Administration & Systems Technology
2128 Paralegal Studies
2017 Retail Management
2054 Small Business Management
     2171 Travel and Event Planning

Certificate Programs
3176 Accounting & Taxation
3145 Bookkeeping
3154 Culinary: Pastry/Catering
3073 HMRI Supervision
3156 Management
3148 Medical Assistant: Administrative
3149 Medical Assistant: Clinical
3174 Medical Coding/Billing
3114 Medical Transcription
3173 Office Skills - Accelerated
3129 Paralegal*
     3166 Phlebotomy
3155 Supervision
     3172 Travel and Event Planning

Health, Physical Education and Nursing
Associate Degree Programs
Transfer
1031 Health/Physical Education
1154 Sports Management
Occupational
2035 Nursing *

Language and Literature
Associate Degree Programs
Transfer
1045 Journalism
1002 Liberal Arts: General
1058 Liberal Arts:Humanities
1160 Liberal Arts: Women's Studies

Certificate Programs
3161 Women's Studies

Mathematics, Science and Technology
Associate Degree Programs
Transfer
1003 Biology
1004 Chemistry
1103 Computer Science
1102 Information Science and Technology
1028 Engineering
1006 Mathematics
1105 Pre-Allied Health
1117 Science
1169 Secondary Education - Biology
1170 Secondary Education - Chemistry
1177 Secondary-Education - Mathematics
1146 Individual Transfer Studies

Occupational
2164 Information Technology Studies
2136 Computer Networking Technology
2159 Environmental Science
2167 Nanofabrication Technology
2182 Digital Game and Simulation Design

Certificate Programs
3133 Computer Networking Technology
3162 Computer Hardware Installation and Maintenance
3130 Computer Network Administrator
3168 Nanofabrication
3181 Computer Forensics
3186 Biotechnology Cell and Tissue Culture

Social & Behavioral Sciences
Associate Degree Programs
Transfer
1021 Correctional Administration
1061 Education
1059 Liberal Arts: Social Science
1107 Liberal Arts: American Studies
1060 Liberal Arts: Psychology Pre-Professional Emphasis
1020 Police Administration
1130 Social Services
1180 Secondary Education: History
1183 Liberal Arts: Psychology-Interpersonal Emphasis

Occupational
2026 Early Childhood Education
2178 Emergency Management and Public Safety
2158 Fire Science
2034 Education - Paraprofessional Instructional Assistant

Certificate Programs
3179 Emergency Management and Public Safety
3144 Fire Investigation
3143 Fire Science
3127 Historic Preservation
3184 Education - Pennsylvania Director Credential for Early Childhood Facilities

Special Non-Degree Programs
0090 High School Enrichment Program*
0091 Early Admission Program*
0099 Special Admissions*

* These programs may require departmental approval for entering applicants.