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– 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.

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
     1110 Graphic Design
     1019 Music
     1175 Multimedia

Occupational
     2092 Fine Woodworking
     2111 Graphic Design

Certificate Programs
     3152 3-D Animation
     3147 Web Design & Multimedia

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
     3165 E-Business
     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 CIS: Computer Science Emphasis
     1102 CIS: 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 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 Network Administrator
     3168 Nanofabrication
     3181 Computer Forensics

Social & Behavioral Sciences
Associate Degree Programs
Transfer
     1021 Correctional Administration
     1061 Education
     1059 Liberal Arts: Social Science
     1107 Liberal Arts: American Studies
     1067 Liberal Arts: Psychology - Interpersonal Emphasis
     1060 Liberal Arts: Psychology Pre-Professional Emphasis
     1020 Police Administration
     1130 Social Services
     1180 Secondary Education: History

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

Certificate Programs
     3179 Emergency Management and Public Safety
     3144 Fire Investigation
     3143 Fire Science
     3127 Historic Preservation


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.