Majors and Certificate 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, as well as occupational certificate programs.
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, chef apprenticeship, graphic design, medical assistant, microcomputer applications, networking technology, nursing, and paralegal.
Although occupational programs are designed for students seeking employment immediately after completion, many of the courses in these programs will transfer to baccalaureate institutions. Transfer of these courses is made easier because of the College's accreditation by The Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the Business Studies Department's accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the Arts Department's accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the Associate Degree Nursing Program's accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Consult with the office of Advising and Transfer Services for information about 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 baccalaureate institutions to which our students most frequently transfer. Transfer of course credits is determined entirely by the receiving institution. Students planning to transfer to a bachelor degree granting institution are encouraged to obtain a current catalog for that institution. Bucks' courses should be selected to parallel the requirements at that institution. Many area colleges and universities have transfer (articulation) agreements with Bucks County Community College. Information on these agreements can be obtained in the academic department offices and at Transfer + Planning.
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 baccalaureate institution. Students who complete a transfer major may successfully secure entry level employment after graduation.
Students must 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 by 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 must work with an academic advisor in planning their individual courses of study.
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 more 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.
Online Majors
Visit Bucks Online to see which of the programs of study listed below can be completed in their entirety through eLearning courses.
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.
Below are the Associate's Degree Program majors and academic certificates, arranged by department. Click here to jump to the alphabetical list.
Arts
Transfer
Certificate Programs
Business and Innovation
Transfer
Occupational
- 2016 Accounting
- 2056 Chef Apprenticeship: Foods emphasis *
- 2098 Chef Apprenticeship: Pastry emphasis *
- 2178 Emergency Management
- 2054 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
- 2158 Fire Science
- 2022 Hospitality Management
- 2015 Management/Marketing
- 2171 Meeting, Convention and Event Planning
- 2128 Paralegal Studies
- 2070 Technical Entrepreneurship
Health Sciences
Transfer
Occupational
Kinesiology and Sport Studies
Certificate Programs
Language and Literature
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Transfer
Occupational
Social & Behavioral Science
Transfer
Certificate Programs
Special Non-Degree Programs
- 0089 Non-Degree/Certificate Seeking
- 0098 High School Dual Enrollment *
- 0099 High School Enrichment Program *
* These programs may require departmental approval for entering applicants.
Alphabetical Listing
Transfer Programs
- 1201 Art and Art History
- 1003 Biology
- 1105 Biomedical Sciences
- 1009 Business Administration
- 1004 Chemistry
- 1181 Cinema Video Production
- 1120 Communication Studies
- 1103 Computer Science
- 1189 Criminal Justice
- 1203 Cybersecurity
- 1028 Engineering
- 1200 English
- 1188 Environmental Science
- 1197 Exercise Science
- 1001 Fine Arts
- 1187 Fine Woodworking
- 1110 Graphic Design
- 1202 Guided Studies
- 1031 Health/Physical Education
- 1108 Health Science
- 1196 History
- 1146 Individual Transfer Studies
- 1102 Information Science
- 1045 Journalism
- 1002 Liberal Arts
- 1006 Mathematics
- 1175 Multimedia & Digital Arts
- 1019 Music
- 1194 Neuroscience
- 1195 Photography
- 4192 Pre K-4 Early Education
- 1183 Psychology-Interpersonal Emphasis
- 1060 Psychology Pre-Professional Emphasis
- 1180 Secondary Education: History
- 1177 Secondary Education - Mathematics
- 1117 Science
- 1059 Social Science
- 1130 Social Work
- 1154 Sport Management
Occupational Programs
- 2016 Accounting
- 2119 Biotechnology
- 2056 Chef Apprenticeship: Foods emphasis *
- 2098 Chef Apprenticeship: Pastry emphasis *
- 2136 Computer Networking Technology
- 2034 Education - Paraprofessional Instructional Assistant
- 2178 Emergency Management
- 2193 Engineering Technology
- 2054 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
- 2158 Fire Science
- 2191 Health Information Technology
- 2022 Hospitality Management
- 2164 Information Technology Studies
- 2015 Management/Marketing
- 2131 Medical Assistant
- 2203 Medical Laboratory Technician
- 2171 Meeting, Convention and Event Planning
- 2035 Nursing *
- 2128 Paralegal Studies
- 2202 Radiography
- 2070 Technical Entrepreneurship
Certificate Programs
- 3176 Accounting & Taxation
- 3185 Applied Photography
- 3186 Biotechnology
- 3145 Bookkeeping
- 3200 Computed Tomography
- 3162 Computer Hardware Installation and Maintenance
- 3133 Computer Networking Technology
- 3154 Culinary Arts
- 3198 Early Childhood Education
- 3179 Emergency Management Certificate
- 3144 Fire Prevention & Investigation
- 3143 Fire Science
- 3187 Furniture and Cabinetmaking
- 3127 Historic Preservation
- 3201 Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- 3199 Medical Assistant
- 3148 Medical Assistant: Administrative
- 3174 Medical Coding/Billing
- 3172 Meeting, Convention and Event Planning
- 3129 Paralegal *
- 3166 Phlebotomy
- 3190 Recreational Leadership
- 3099 Social Media and Digital Marketing
- 3147 Web and Multimedia Designer
* These programs may require departmental approval for entering applicants.