General Information

Continuing Education Programs

All courses are for individuals, ages 16 or older. There are certain programs that are for the younger set. They are noted in this Catalog.

Tax Deduction

You can receive a tax deduction for all expenses of continuing management
education (including registration fees, travel, meals and lodging) undertaken to maintain and improve professional skills. (Treasury Registration 1-625 Coughlin vs. Commissioner, 203F2d307).

Lifetime Learning Tax Credit

For those beyond the first two years of college, or taking classes part-time to improve or upgrade their job skills, the family will receive a 20% tax credit for the first $10,000. The credit is available for net tuition and fees (less grant aid) paid for post-secondary enrollment after June 30, 1998. The credit is available on a per-taxpayer (family) basis. For further information, please consult your tax advisor or visit http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/PPI/HOPE.

Employer Tuition Assistance

Your organization may encourage furthering your education by including full or partial tuition assistance for credit and non-credit courses in your benefit package. Check with your Personnel Office today.

Course Changes/Cancellations

Bucks County Community College reserves the right to cancel a course entirely or to change its time, location or instructor. In the event a course for which you have registered is cancelled, you will be notified. If you are unable to substitute a suitable replacement for a cancelled course, you will be refunded all tuition and fees you have paid for the course.

Textbooks and Materials

Beginning Spring 2012, students will be expected to purchase all textbooks and materials not included in the Continuing Education course fee (as indicated in brochure or website listing) before the first day of class.
For the first three weeks of each semester, all texts can be purchased at the BCCC Bookstores at the Upper Bucks, Newtown, and Lower Bucks Campus. After that time, texts can be purchased through the BCCC Newtown Bookstore but delivered another other campus or your home upon request. Please provide the course code and section number indicated on your course confirmation letter to ensure the most efficient service. For further information, please go to our website www.bucks.edu/life/bookstore or call 215-968-8459. Please have your course code and section number available for reference.

Verification of Enrollment

A parking permit (Newtown Campus only) will be sent to registrants before class begins. This mailing will include your enrollment confirmation. Please feel free to call us at 215-968-8409.

Inclement Weather Closing

Inclement weather or other emergencies may at times force cancellation of classes. Information will be available on the home page of the college’s web-site at www.bucks.edu. You may also check local television stations, or tune to a local or Philadelphia radio station and listen to announcements listing Bucks County Community College or code #760 (day and weekend classes), or code #2760 (evening classes), for the Newtown campus and Bristol campus, or call the College's main number at 215-968-8000. For Upper County Campus, Perkasie, code #759 (day and weekend classes), or code #2759 (evening classes), or call 215-258-7700. Calls may also be made to the Continuing Education Office (215-968-8409). Information will be provided on the status of our classes. Rescheduling, if necessary, will be done as soon as possible.

Continuing Education Units

Continuing Education Units (CEU's) are offered for selected courses and are valuable for individuals wishing to demonstrate their participation in educational pursuits beyond or outside of a degree program. One CEU is equal to ten contact hours of participation in continuing education. Upon completion of courses granting CEU's, participants may receive a statement of CEU's earned and permanently recorded with the Continuing Education Office. Continuing Education Units do not apply toward degree programs or graduation.

Staff Waivers

The College and the Continuing Education Department reserves the right to limit the number of waived registrations it accepts in its classes. In some instances, faculty and staff will be required to pay, in addition to class materials, the percentage of tuition owed to third parties who have entered into a partnership or agreement with the College.

Senior Citizen Policy

Adults 65 and over may attend Certificate and Computer classes at 50% off the stated fee plus book fees. Please call for appropriate books/materials costs for other courses before registering. Due to the demand for these classes, we can only permit two seniors per class at this discount. Seniors may attend all other non-credit classes free of charge on a space available basis, with the exception of trips, Zoomers (formerly Fifty-Five Plus) classes, and classes offered exclusively for seniors, ACT Center courses and courses offered through the Community School of New Hope-Solebury. You will receive a course confirmation upon registration. However, if the class fills (with the exception of computer classes), you will be called and given the option to either pay for the class or to withdraw. Please note that it is the student's responsibility to pay materials and book fees. Please use registration form and check box regarding senior citizen status. Note: ACT Center Courses are exempt from this policy.

Senior Citizen Policy for Community School of New Hope-Solebury

Adults 60 and over may register for most courses at a $10 dollar discount per class of $35 or more. However, full tuition is required for some classes and all special workshops, trips, or events. There is no discount on course materials. Proof of age may be required.

There is a $25 non-refundable withdrawal charge if you cancel your enrollment in a course with a fee of $50 or more; $5 for courses less than $50. The following conditions apply to refunds:
1. For All Courses:100% refund (less $5) when you notify the Continuing Education Office at least three (3) working days prior to the course starting date. No refund after this time.
2. For Camps:There is a $25 non-refundable fee for any cancellation. Refunds (less $25) will be made ONLY when you notify the Continuing Education Office AT LEAST SEVEN (7) DAYS before the first day of camp.
3. For Trips:Other refund policies vary; please call the Continuing Education Office.
4. ACT Center Courses:There are no refunds for ACT courses.
5. Community School of New Hope- Solebury:No refunds will be made except for cancelled or filled courses.
Refund Policy

If you have paid by check, your refund will arrive in three weeks. Visa, MasterCard, or Discover payments will be credited to your account.

If you have a question concerning your evening/weekend class, call Student Services Monday through Thursday 4:30 pm-8:30 pm at 215-504-8562; Saturday mornings 8:30 am-noon at 215-968-8081.

The Security Information Report required by the College and the University Security Information Act of Pennsylvania and the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act of the Federal Government is available at the Office of Security and Safety and other campus locations.

Bucks County Community College is committed to providing equal education and employment opportunities. This encompasses persons in legally-protected classifications in regard to race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, sexual orientation, age, religion, disabilities, and military veterans. The college provides reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Please call the Campus Coordinator for Equal Employment Opportunity in advance to request or clarify accommodations or to address issues concerning equal opportunities at (215) 968-8090. The EEO Office is located in Room 130, Tyler Hall.