Bergen Community College

The Management Information Systems (MIS) program is designed for students seeking a position within the data management field. The program offers an integration of career specific computer, software system design, general business and liberal arts courses needed to enhance critical thinking, analytical decision-making and communication skills required by many entry and intermediate MIS positions that do not require a baccalaureate degree.

Approved by the American Bar Association, the Bergen Community College Paralegal Studies program offers an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science. The program combines a general education background with law related specialty courses to provide the graduate with communication skills, knowledge of the legal system, and practical hands-on-experience immediately applicable to the legal workplace. The student will receive instruction on the basic principles of the law, along with the analytical, technical, and communication skills necessary for a career in the legal field. Topics of instruction include ethics and professional responsibilities of the legal profession, effective legal research and writing, and practical aspects of varied legal subject matters such as estates and trusts, commercial transactions, criminal and civil litigation, family law, real estate, legal accounting and business law.

The Management Information Systems (MIS) program is designed for students seeking a position within the data management field. The program offers an integration of career specific computer, software system design, general business and liberal arts courses needed to enhance critical thinking, analytical decision-making and communication skills required by many entry and intermediate MIS positions that do not require a baccalaureate degree.

This program prepares students for careers in the field of fire science and enhances the working knowledge of practitioners. The program provides the fundamental concepts and practices needed for fire prevention, protection and suppression. Career opportunities include Federal, State, and Municipal Fire Services, Federal and Local Forest and Park Fire Services, Arson Investigators, and Corporate and Private Security firms.

This program provides a broad view of forensics as it pertains to investigations, adjudication and evidentiary matters. This program explores the fundamental scientific and mathematical concepts of investigative practices, evidence collection, and the guiding legal principles. Career opportunities: Federal, State, County, and Municipal Crime Scene Units, Forensics laboratories, and Medical Examiner’s Office.

This program is intended for students seeking to pursue a career in law enforcement at both local and federal levels. This program will provide the fundamental knowledge of the functions and process of the criminal justice system as well as philosophy, history, and legal principles guiding law enforcement practices and procedures. Career opportunities include Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement agencies, Federal, State Court/Judiciary, Federal, State and County Correctional facilities, Corporate and Private Security firms.

This program prepares students to enter the field of private and corporate security. It provides students with fundamental knowledge and practices of crime prevention, protection and investigations. Students will also explore the contemporary development of security approaches, systems, and security management as well as the complex relationship between the criminal justice system and private security. Career opportunities: Corporate and Private Security firms in areas including, but not limited to, banking and financial services, commercial and residential properties, museums/cultural properties, athletic and entertainment arenas, manufacturing, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries, private and public educational and medical institutions, and loss prevention for retail companies.

This program provides a broad view of forensics as it pertains to investigations, adjudication and evidentiary matters. This program explores the fundamental scientific and mathematical concepts of investigative practices, evidence collection, and the guiding legal principles. Career opportunities: Federal, State, County, and Municipal Crime Scene Units, Forensics laboratories, and Medical Examiner’s Office.

This program is designed to expand the knowledge of practitioners in the field, as well as to introduce students to homeland security and emergency management. Students explore issues pertaining to domestic and international terrorism, counter terrorism strategies, best practices for security planning and threat assessment. Students are also introduced to key principles of an all hazards approach to emergency management, disaster planning, and man-made or natural threats. Career opportunities: Federal, State, and County Homeland Security agencies, Federal, State, and Municipal Offices of Emergency Management, and Corporate and Private Security firms.

This program is intended for students seeking to pursue a career in law enforcement at both local and federal levels. This program will provide the fundamental knowledge of the functions and process of the criminal justice system as well as philosophy, history, and legal principles guiding law enforcement practices and procedures. Career opportunities include Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement agencies, Federal, State Court/Judiciary, Federal, State and County Correctional facilities, Corporate and Private Security firms.

This program prepares students to enter the field of private and corporate security. It provides students with fundamental knowledge and practices of crime prevention, protection and investigations. Students will also explore the contemporary development of security approaches, systems, and security management as well as the complex relationship between the criminal justice system and private security. Career opportunities: Corporate and Private Security firms in areas including, but not limited to, banking and financial services, commercial and residential properties, museums/cultural properties, athletic and entertainment arenas, manufacturing, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries, private and public educational and medical institutions, and loss prevention for retail companies.

This program is intended for students seeking to pursue a career in law enforcement at both local and federal levels. This program will provide the fundamental knowledge of the functions and process of the criminal justice system as well as philosophy, history, and legal principles guiding law enforcement practices and procedures. Career opportunities include Federal, State and Local Law Enforcement agencies, Federal, State Court/Judiciary, Federal, State and County Correctional facilities, Corporate and Private Security firms.

An emergency medical technician (EMT) provides basic life support to patients in the pre-hospital environment. Paramedics bring the emergency department to the field by providing critical treatment and advanced life support — equivalent to treatments offered in the first 15-20 minutes of care in the emergency room. Paramedics and EMTs, both EMS practitioners, work cohesively to stabilize the patient’s condition during emergency transport and transfer.

The program’s curriculum employs a workforce development model. Students complete all general education courses in the first year followed by core courses in the second year. Students can also easily transfer completed general education courses that meet transfer guideline criteria. During field assignments, students fulfill externship hours on paramedic units three days per week in varied geographic response areas. Through integrated instruction, laboratory and clinical experience, students strengthen skills and bridge knowledge gaps.

The Social Work option is designed to train students for entry level positions in a variety of human and social service fields such as gerontology, domestic violence, residential care, developmental disability, child care, substance abuse, and juvenile justice. Through theoretical and experiential based learning, it provides students with competencies for assessment, advocacy, and intervention with individuals, small groups, and community organizations. Such skills are fundamental to the human services field.

The goal of the Hospitality Management program is to develop 21st century culinary and hospitality professionals through high quality practical, theoretical, and analytical course work. The program emphasizes culinary arts, catering, and hospitality and lodging. Students pursue their studies through active learning and mentoring opportunities with a focus on leadership, critical thinking, personal growth as well as interaction with industry professionals both in class and in their chosen field. Through the externships, the program prepares students to become leaders with the ability to shape the future of the hospitality and culinary industry. The program offers concentrations in the following areas: Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, Catering and Event Planning, and Hospitality/Lodging.

The Culinary Arts Certificate Program is designed to prepare entry-level or working food service professionals to increase their job value or refresh their culinary preparation and leadership skills in the introductory kitchens and the on-campus student-run full-service restaurant. Typically, students can complete the certificate program in two semesters. This certificate program is embedded into the AAS degree program. Students who wish to advance to a two-year degree can transfer all 30 credits into the 60-credit AAS degree at Bergen Community College.

The Hospitality Management Certificate Program is designed to introduce students to the contemporary hospitality industry through high quality practical, theoretical, and analytical course work. The program covers various facets of hospitality including hotels, restaurants, bars, catering, event planning, travel, lodging, and foodservice. It is designed also to aid working professionals who wish to increase their job value by refreshing their customer service and leadership skills. Additionally, basic food preparation, menu planning, food purchasing, budgeting and beverage management are introduced. Typically, students can complete the certificate program in two semesters. This certificate program is embedded into the AAS degree program. Students who wish to advance to a two-year degree can transfer all 30 credits into the 60-credit AAS degree at Bergen Community College.

The Certificate of Achievement in Professional Cooking prepares the student to make high quality foods and baked products for various food service settings in restaurants, hotels, country clubs, retail markets, contract dining, tourism and other types of establishments. Students and graduates are eligible for positions in the culinary and banquet departments of hotels, restaurants, food service companies and other related areas of the hospitality industry.

The Engineering Technology program is intended to prepare students for entry-level positions as support personnel with myriad technological skills for the broad area of engineering & technology.

The Engineering Technology program is intended to prepare students for entry-level positions as support personnel with myriad technological skills for the broad area of engineering & technology.

The Engineering Technology program is intended to prepare students for entry-level positions as support personnel with myriad technological skills for the broad area of engineering & technology.

The Engineering Technology program is intended to prepare students for entry-level positions as support personnel with myriad technological skills for the broad area of engineering & technology.

The AAS.IDT.MFG.TECH program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in machining, grinding, welding, CNC (computer numerical control) programming/machining, industrial design, fixturing and quality assurance/control positions. Students will have a broad exposure to common manufacturing industry methods, procedures and safety.

The Certificate of Achievement in Welding is designed for students wishing to gain the working knowledge and skills related to basic welding for either professional or personal gain. This certificate can be taken alone or be used to complement a degree in Manufacturing Technology. Students in the program take a two semester sequence in welding plus a drafting course and a course in Materials Processing & Fabrication.

The AAS.IDT.MFG.TECH program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in machining, grinding, welding, CNC (computer numerical control) programming/machining, industrial design, fixturing and quality assurance/control positions. Students will have a broad exposure to common manufacturing industry methods, procedures and safety.

The AAS.IDT.MFG.TECH program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in machining, grinding, welding, CNC (computer numerical control) programming/machining, industrial design, fixturing and quality assurance/control positions. Students will have a broad exposure to common manufacturing industry methods, procedures and safety.

The AAS.IDT.DRFT program will produce qualified design-draftspersons who, in support of architects and designers, civil and MEP engineers, contractors and industrial designers, in diverse technical fields will be able to communicate design information by conventional pencil and sketch drafting, computer aided drafting, and oral communication.

The Certificate of Achievement in Welding is designed for students wishing to gain the working knowledge and skills related to basic welding for either professional or personal gain. This certificate can be taken alone or be used to complement a degree in Manufacturing Technology. Students in the program take a two semester sequence in welding plus a drafting course and a course in Materials Processing & Fabrication.

The COA.CNC.PROG certificate prepares graduates for entry-level positions in CNC machining, programming, machine operator, machine set-up, quality control/inspection, safety practices, print reading and associated machine shop tasks.

The COA.MACH.TOOL certificate prepares graduates for entry-level positions in manual machining, grinding, machine set-up, quality control/inspection, print reading, safety practices and associated machine shop tasks.

The COA.MACH.TOOL certificate prepares graduates for entry-level positions in manual machining, grinding, machine set-up, quality control/inspection, print reading, safety practices and associated machine shop tasks.

The Computer Animation and Computer Graphics certificates are designed for practicing professionals in these fields or for students who have already completed substantial college level work. Entry-level commercial art students should consider one of the Associate of Applied Science art programs. Students may choose only those courses for which prerequisites have been met.
Returning professionals may request that prerequisites be waived by submitting a portfolio for review by a member of the Art faculty. To request a portfolio review, please contact the Department of Visual Arts at 201-447-7143. To avoid registration problems, please contact the department prior to registering for classes for which you have not taken the required prerequisites.
The certificate in Computer Animation is designed for practicing professionals in this field who may need to update their skills or for students who have already completed substantial college level work. Students may choose only those courses for which prerequisites have been met. Returning professionals may request that prerequisites be waived by submitting a portfolio for review by a member of the Art faculty.

This program gives students a strong foundation in the fundamentals of artistic design, story development, project management, digital content creation, and portfolio development. It also offers students an advanced skill set in 3D modeling, character design, animation, and video game simulation. The industries that employ the most multimedia artists and animators include motion picture and video industries, computer systems design, software publishers, advertising, public relations, among others.

The Computer Animation and the Computer Graphics certificates are designed for practicing professionals in these fields or for students who have already completed substantial college level work. Entry-level commercial art students should consider one of the Associate of Applied Science art programs. Students may choose only those courses for which prerequisites have been met.
Returning professionals may request that prerequisites be waived by submitting a portfolio for review by a member of the art faculty. To request a portfolio review, please contact the Department of Visual Arts at 201-447-7143. To avoid registration problems, please contact the department prior to registering for classes for which you have not taken the required prerequisites.
The certificate in Computer Graphics is designed for practicing professionals in this field who may need to update their skills or for students who have already completed substantial college level work. Students may choose only those courses for which prerequisites have been met. Returning professionals may request that prerequisites be waived by submitting a portfolio for review by a member of the Art faculty.

This program gives students a strong foundation in the fundamentals of artistic design, digital content creation, and portfolio development. The industries that employ graphic designers include specialized design services, publishing, advertising, public relations, and related service industries.

This program emphasizes web skills. Students delve into all facets of web page preparation. Current topics include web page design and development, client and server side scripting, programming, multimedia, and database and networking concepts.

The Recording Technology program is recommended for students who wish to pursue a variety of careers utilizing audio production skills. Unlike the AFA in Music Technology, this program does not require the musicianship or general education coursework recommended for transfer to a bachelor’s degree in music, but rather focuses specifically on audio production for the music and film/video industries with opportunities to explore radio and TV production through courses in the college’s Broadcasting program. All AAS Recording Technology students engage in industry internships as part of their coursework.

The Recording Technology program is recommended for students who wish to pursue a variety of careers utilizing audio production skills. Unlike the AFA in Music Technology, this program does not require the musicianship or general education coursework recommended for transfer to a bachelor’s degree in music, but rather focuses specifically on audio production for the music and film/video industries with opportunities to explore radio and TV production through courses in the college’s Broadcasting program. All AAS Recording Technology students engage in industry internships as part of their coursework.

This certificate program emphasizes troubleshooting and diagnostic skills for both hardware and software issues encountered at a Help Desk. Preparation includes computer support, upgrade and repair functions. This program assists with preparation toward the CompTIA A+ Certification.

This certificate program prepares a student to design, develop, deploy and administer current industry-standard databases, both as an end-user and as a database administrator. The program assists with preparation for Oracle certification exams.

This certificate program emphasizes troubleshooting and diagnostic skills for both hardware and software issues encountered at a Help Desk. Preparation includes computer support, upgrade and repair functions. This program assists with preparation toward the CompTIA A+ Certification.

This program emphasizes computer programming skills and database management. Three semesters of programming language courses, three semesters of database courses, and systems analysis courses help prepare the student to actively participate in real-world software development projects.

This program emphasizes planning, designing, managing, and maintaining computer networks. Operating systems studied include Windows and UNIX/Linux. Current topics in networking are presented. This program assists with preparation towards several professional IT certifications.

This certificate program prepares a student to design, develop, deploy and administer current industry-standard databases, both as an end-user and as a database administrator. The program assists with preparation for Oracle certification exams.

This program emphasizes computer programming skills and database management. Three semesters of programming language courses, three semesters of database courses, and systems analysis courses help prepare the student to actively participate in real-world software development projects.

This program emphasizes computer programming skills and database management. Three semesters of programming language courses, three semesters of database courses, and systems analysis courses help prepare the student to actively participate in real-world software development projects.

This program focuses on designing games, writing the program code, and testing that the game works as expected. Emphasis is on computer programming in C++ and algorithms.

This program emphasizes planning, designing, managing, and maintaining computer networks. Operating systems studied include Windows and UNIX/Linux. Current topics in networking are presented. This program assists with preparation towards several professional IT certifications.

This program emphasizes planning, designing, managing, and maintaining computer networks. Operating systems studied include Windows and UNIX/Linux. Current topics in networking are presented. This program assists with preparation towards several professional IT certifications.

Medical Informatics involves the ability to update and retrieve medical data as well as design and manage medical information systems. This program is a joint effort of the Information Technology (INF) and Medical Office Administration (MOA) programs at BCC, and the BS Engineering Technology, Computer Technology program at NJIT. It addresses the need for individuals with both medical and technical knowledge. This AAS degree will currently transfer to the NJIT Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) program where students can concentrate in Medical Informatics.

Medical Office Administrative Assistants are multi-skilled practitioners who perform administrative and management duties. Graduates may work in physicians’ offices, clinics, HMO’s, billing companies, or other ambulatory care facilities, such as freestanding emergency centers and hospitals. Administrative responsibilities include: scheduling appointments, billing and collecting, coding diagnoses and procedures, insurance claim forms, medical records, performing computer applications, and providing patient instructions. The program is designed for the college student as well as the returning student who is career orientated.

Medical Office Assistants are multi-skilled practitioners who perform administrative and clinical as well as management duties. Graduates may work in physicians’ offices, clinics, HMO’s, billing companies, or other ambulatory care facilities, such as freestanding emergency centers and hospitals. Clinical responsibilities include: performing laboratory tests, taking electrocardiograms, injections, vein punctures, sterilization techniques, vital signs, and assisting with minor surgery. Administrative responsibilities include: scheduling appointments, billing and collecting, coding diagnoses and procedures, insurance claim forms, medical records, performing computer applications, and providing patient instructions. Graduates are prepared to take the Certified Medical Assistant examination by the American Association of Medical Assistants. The program is designed for the college student as well as the returning student who is career orientated. The Medical Office Assisting Program at Bergen Community College is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Medical Assisting Education Review Board (MAERB).

The program specializes in abdomen, ob/gyn and cardiac sonography. Students are required to complete all three specialties upon completion of the program. The program is a competency-based education and provides a curriculum sequence in order for the students to correlate didactic, lab and clinical skills sufficiently. The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in these three areas and students are eligible to take the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) exam upon completion of the program.

The Dental Hygiene Program prepares graduates to perform competently in providing preventive oral care. The program incorporates didactic, clinical, technological, and laboratory teaching approaches throughout the curriculum. The dental hygiene curriculum is a challenging one that provides a “hands-on” approach and incorporates a variety of educational experiences and environments from the traditional classroom to the laboratory and the on-campus clinic. The dental hygiene clinic is open to anyone seeking preventative oral health care.

Radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for cancer and is prescribed in more than half of all cancer cases. It works on the premise that cancerous cells are more sensitive than normal cells to the damaging effects of radiation. Radiation therapy uses high energy X-rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or other ionizing radiation to produce biologic changes in the DNA of a cancer cell. Altering the DNA in this way causes cell death at the time of division, potentially eliminating the malignancy. Radiation therapy is used either on its own or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy to achieve a cure for cancer in some patients and to ease the pain from cancer in others. Although Radiation Therapy primarily treats cancer, other disorders and conditions can be managed through the administration of radiation therapy.

Many people become free of cancer after receiving radiation treatment alone or in combination with surgery, chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy (biologic therapy). The Radiation Therapist works with a team of oncology professionals to effectively design and administer a therapeutic dose of radiation to a targeted area. They use advanced computer systems to operate sophisticated radiation therapy equipment such as a Linear Accelerator and a Computed Tomography Simulator. Additionally, the Radiation Therapists assists in managing the patient’s well-being by providing care and support for patients throughout their course of radiotherapy treatment..

The Bergen Community College Radiation Therapy Program is a one year advanced certificate program. Didactic courses are incorporated with formalized lectures and laboratory training followed by actual clinical experience. Upon entry into the program, the candidate must be a registered or registry eligible Diagnostic Radiographer and must have completed an Associate’s degree or higher (Bachelor’s or Master’s) from an accredited college with a minimum overall average GPA of 2.5. Admission is for the Fall semester only. Upon completion of the program, the graduate is eligible to apply for state licensure and national registration in this specialty. A maximum of thirty-six college level credits may be awarded to the graduate.

The radiography program is a 24 month course of study that is designed to prepare the graduate for employment in the medical imaging profession. Radiographers use radiation to create radiographs of the human body for the medical doctor to diagnose disease. A study of anatomy, patient care, imaging equipment, technique, and radiation biology are integrated into each course. Students learn principles related to medical imaging and apply these to practice in clinical. The program has three components- classroom, laboratory, and off site clinical education. Students spend approximately 1700 hours in clinical practice. Upon completion of the program students are eligible to apply for certification examination with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and apply for state licensure (if a license is required for that particular state).

The Respiratory Care Program prepares graduates to perform competently in providing all phases of respiratory care therapies and modalities. The respiratory care curriculum is a challenging one that provides a “hands-on” approach and incorporates a variety of educational experiences and environments from the traditional classroom to the laboratory and clinical settings. The program is a competency-based education and provides a curriculum sequence in order for the students to correlate didactic, lab and clinical skills sufficiently. After graduation, students take the national certification and registry exams administered by the NBRC National Board for Respiratory Care and obtain a license to work in the desired state.

The Surgical Technology program at Bergen Community College is the only community college program in the state of New Jersey and the first program to be nationally accredited. Major hospitals throughout New Jersey and the entire Eastern seaboard seek graduates of the Surgical Technology Program, often months before graduation. New facilities include an integrated three room suite incorporating a state-of-the-art classroom, fully equipped “mock” operating room reflective of a real hospital OR, and a sterilization/prep room. Students learning in this type of environment are better prepared to enter their clinical externship because of the hands-on practice and real life situations taught here.

The Veterinary Technology program has been designed to develop personnel capable of assisting veterinarians in large animal practices, small animal practices, laboratory animal situations, and related veterinary medical activities. The curriculum provides a sound foundation in basic veterinary technology. Through coursework, skill acquisition, and meaningful clinical experiences, the graduate will be a productive employee at the entry level and will have the capabilities to perform satisfactorily in positions of increasing responsibility.