Admissions- Becoming a Student

Contact:

The Office of Admissions and Recruitment
Website: https://bergen.edu/admissions
Pitkin Education Center, Room SC-110
Tel: 201-447-7200
Fax: 201-447-8923
E-mail: admissions@bergen.edu

Admissions Process, Minimum Entrance Requirements and Documentation

Bergen Community College maintains an open door policy for degree and non-degree seeking students.

All applicants are required to complete and submit the form of application prescribed by the College. In addition, the following guidelines for records and transcripts apply:

• Applicants, including financial aid applications, may self-certify high school graduation or recognized equivalency;
• Official College transcripts are required to receive transfer credit;
• High school transcripts, college transcripts, and other documentation may be required for specific program acceptance.

Verification of High School Completion

Bergen Community College does not require a high school diploma for admissions purposes to the college.
Students can self-report their high school diploma for purposes of placement or potential scholarship opportunities or for eligibility requirements for certain programs, including state or federal-funded scholarships or grant programs.

HOWEVER, students are hereby advised to be prepared for an evaluation of the validity of a student’s high school completion IF the College or the Department of Education has a reason to believe that the high school diploma is not valid or was not obtained from an entity approved to provide secondary education (ref. High Education Act regulations effective July 1, 2011 (Sec.668.16(p)).

Checking the Validity of a Student’s High School Completion

Below is a process to follow when evaluating the validity of high school completion and diploma:

• If there’s reason to believe the student’s high school completion is not valid, the Office of Registration and Student Records (Registrar’s Office) will contact the Department of Education in the state the student has claimed to have graduated.
• If the secondary school is not a valid institution the Registrar’s Office will remove the high school information from the student record and notify the Office of Financial Aid.

The student’s record will be maintained accordingly upon receiving the official documentation from the relevant secondary school, department or agency

High School Transcripts

Bergen Community College allows students to self-certify high school graduation or recognized equivalency.

Official final High School transcripts or College transcripts or other documentation may be required for specific program acceptance.

Official high school transcripts should be sent to Bergen electronically directly from the High School.

Foreign Transcripts

Students that wish to have their credits from a foreign college evaluated for equivalent credit at Bergen must submit an official foreign credential evaluation from a NACES approved organization.

Please visit www.naces.org for a list of current members.

The foreign credential evaluation will attest that the foreign diploma or credit is equivalent to U.S. coursework or a U.S. degree.

Students with foreign post-secondary credentials should request course-by-course evaluations.

Students should have the document mailed to the:

Office of Admissions and Recruitment
Room SC-110, Pitkin Education Center
400 Paramus Rd
Paramus, NJ 07652

Degree-Seeking Students

• Students seeking admission to the Health Professions or Nursing programs should refer to minimum entrance requirements and application deadlines. Space in these programs is limited.
• Students seeking admission on an F-1 visa must apply no later than March 1 for fall admissions or October 1 for spring admissions.
• Official high school transcripts are required for Health Professions candidates, International F-1 visa-holders, those with foreign credentials and NJ STARS applicants.

Students with foreign secondary school credentials must submit officially evaluated copies from World Education Services (www.wes.org) or another member of the NACES association. Please visit www.naces.org for a list of members.

Prior to registering for classes, students must complete the Basic Skills Placement Test requirement.

Those with foreign post-secondary credentials should submit course-by-course evaluations.

All students accepted to the College must submit a completed medical form before registering for a Wellness and Exercise Science course (WEX).

High School Equivalency (HSE) for Adults

Students ages 16 years of age or older who do not have a high school diploma may qualify for a high school degree by passing the official HSE exam.
Bergen Community College at the Ciarco Learning Center in Hackensack offers High School Equivalency (HSE) courses that give adults the opportunity to complete their high school degree by preparing for and passing an HSE exam. Beginning with a placement test, students will refresh their foundational skills or they can begin practicing the content areas of the HSE exam.
For HSE courses offering or schedule, Email: bcchackensack@bergen.edu, Call: (201) 489-1551, or visit https://bergen.edu/ce/courses-programs/hse-high-school-equivalency-for-adults/
The New Jersey Adult Education/High School Equivalency (HSE) testing centers information can be found at https://www.nj.gov/education/adulted/centers/

Second Bergen Community College Degree

Students who have completed a certificate or degree program at Bergen Community College and wish to pursue another certificate or degree at the College must complete and submit a new application for admission. Credits earned toward or for a prior degree or certificate are considered transfer credits and apply toward a second degree as outlined in the College Residency Policy. Such applicants should write “Second degree” at the top of their applications.

Students may earn only one Associate in Arts (A.A.) and one Associate in Science (A.S.) degree at Bergen Community College. Two or more Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees and certificates are permissible if in different majors.

Non-Degree-Seeking Students

Non-Degree Students are those who do not intend to pursue a degree or certificate at Bergen Community College.

Non degree seekers plan to:

• Take courses at BCC and transfer the credits to another institution (Visiting Students)
• Take courses for personal or professional development

Non-Degree Students Application Process

• Must complete the Admissions Application and choose “Non-Degree” option
• May need to provide proof of required prerequisites, an unofficial transcript and course descriptions of completed prerequisites.
  Those registering for Math or Science courses may be required to obtain a departmental signature.
• For those registering for a remedial Math or English course, it may be necessary to take the Basic Skills placement test. For testing options and times, and testing waiver eligibility, please visit www.bergen.edu/testing

Steps for Non-Degree Students:

1. Determine which classes you would like to register for by searching through the Bergen student portal (my.bergen.edu).
   Notes:
   - It is possible to search for Course and Course Sections as “Guest” by visiting
   https://selfservice.bergen.edu/Student/Courses.
   - To register for any open course section, however, you will need log on your Bergen portal.
   - Step-by-step instructions, hints or tips on how to use Self-Service/Bergen portal can be found
   at https://bergen.edu/self-service/
2. If the course you desire requires a prerequisite, you will need to obtain an unofficial transcript from your home institution or take a BCC placement test to satisfy the requirement. (Note: Some Math and Science courses do require a more detailed review by the Department.)
3. Complete the Remote Registration Form and upload any proof of prerequisites needed, then submit it for review and consideration.
   Upon successful submission, an email confirming your registration, or advising the processing time, or notifying you of any problems will be sent to your BCC Student email.
   For assistance in completing the online Remote Registration form, please contact The One Stop Registration Area (Room OS-110) in the Pitkin Education Center, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652 or email visitor@bergen.edu.
4. Pay for classes upon completion of registration. Detailed payment deadlines information can be found at https://bergen.edu/bursar/payment-deadlines/.
5. Visit https://my.bergen.edu to look up your BCC username by clicking the “What’s my Bergen Username?” link

Tips:

• It is the responsibility of the Visiting Student to ensure that classes will transfer to their home institution
• It is the responsibility of the Visiting Student to request an official transcript be sent from Bergen Community College to the home institution upon completion of the course.
  This can be done at: www.getmytranscripts.com
  Detailed information regarding transcripts requests can be found at www.bergen.edu/transcripts
• It’s the student’s responsible to plan a ahead and make tuition & fees payment arrangements. Non degree seekers are not eligible for Financial Aid.
• If someone else is registering on your behalf, that person MUST bring the Registration Form, a copy of your ID and a signed letter from you stating the name of the person registering on your behalf. Your designee must also have a government-issued ID.

Examples of Non-Degree Seeking Students

Visiting Students

Bergen Community College welcomes visiting students from other institutions to register for winter and summer courses.
If you have taken BCC classes as a visiting student in the past you still need to re-apply as a visiting student to re-activate your account.
Enrollment instructions for visiting students can be found at https://bergen.edu/visiting-students/

Early College

For high achieving students who seek to earn an AssociatesDegree while still in high school.
Enrollment instructions can be found at https://bergen.edu/academics/k12partnerships/early-college-program/

Bergen Experience

For high achieving students who want to take courses on a college campus while still attending high school during the school year or summer.
Enrollment instructions can be found at https://bergen.edu/academics/k12partnerships/bergen-experience/

Dual Enrollment

For motivated students who wish to take college level courses in their high school with their high school teacher.
Detailed enrollment instructions can be found at https://bergen.edu/academics/k12partnerships/dual-enrollment/

Early Career

For students who have not decided if they want to go straight to work after high school or attend college so they are going to prepare for a career while simultaneously earning college credit.
Enrollment instructions can be found at https://bergen.edu/academics/k12partnerships/early-career/

Kids And Teens

For K-12 students who want to take “New Work for Credit or Credit Recovery” courses or SAT Prep .
Detailed registration information can be found at https://bergen.edu/ce/courses-programs/kids-and-teens/

Readmit Students

Readmitted students enrolled in deactivated academic programs will be required to change their program and follow the degree requirements that are in effect at the time.

Matriculated students pursuing a degree or certificate, who have no attempted credits on record for the previous two years (six consecutive semesters which includes fall, spring, and summer), who would like to return and continue their studies are considered “Readmits”.

A readmitted student may re-apply by submitting a readmission application to the Admissions Office.
Students have the option of returning to their original program, if available, or choosing a new program.

Notes: Academic programs that have a Leave of Absence policy, as determined by accrediting bodies, supersede this policy.

A student classified as Readmit, follows the process below:

1. All Readmits must fill out an application for Admission.
2. Readmits should provide an official academic transcript from any college or university attended since living if desiring Transfer Credit.
3. Students who did not complete college-level English or mathematics may be required to prove college readiness per the College’s placement standards.

Who is a Readmit Applicant?

1. Readmits are former students who were enrolled in academic program at Bergen Community College and have not enrolled for two years (six consecutive semesters which includes fall, spring, and summer).
2. A readmitted student may include students who left on academic or conduct action, such as probation and/o suspension and would seek to return to the College.

Students separated from the College for at least two years (six consecutive semesters which includes fall, spring, and summer) and seeking to re-enroll may be eligible for Academic Forgiveness .

Students NOT considered a readmit:

1. Those that have applied for admission and have never registered for classes
2. Those that registered and officially Dropped registration during the Add/Drop period.
3. Those who attended as Vising students and/or took courses as non-degree seeking (non-matriculated).

(Reference: Readmission Policy- BOT Resolution Approval Date: October 13, 2022)

Visiting Students

Students from other institutions should obtain written permission from their current or previous institutions before attempting to apply or register for any courses at Bergen Community College. Transcripts are accepted. For additional information, go to https://bergen.edu/current-students/student-support-services/registration/visitingstudents/.

International Students

Bergen Community College is enriched by the diverse population it serves. The College is authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to host those who have obtained the F-1 visa, a special document used by foreign born students to study full time in the US. On average, Bergen Community College hosts 520 F-1 visa holders.

International Student Center

The International Student Center (ISC) assists international students with admission to the College, immigration and academic counseling, and visa compliance. The ISC also promotes intercultural learning through workshops and quality programming. The ISC strives to serve as a “home away from home” for those international students who have chosen to earn a degree/certificate or study English at Bergen Community College.

Bergen Community College is a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) approved school. The College is authorized by the USCIS to endorse I-20 forms, travel documents, and other immigration documents related to F-1 student employment. The form I-20 will be issued by a Designated School Official (DSO) at the College for those international applicants seeking admission to the College or a change of status/ reinstatement to F-1 status only when all requirements are fulfilled by the applicant.

The International Student Center is located in the Pitkin Education Center in Room SC-110 on the College’s main campus in Paramus.

International Student Admissions

Applicants residing outside of the U.S. may apply for admission to Bergen Community College. For those who must obtain an F-1 student visa to study full time in the US, documentation proving completion of high school and sufficient financial sponsorship ($22,000 USD to cover tuition, housing, food, books and incidentals for the first year) is required. All required documentation must be translated into English by a certified translator. Although not required, F-1 students are encouraged to travel to the US with their own health insurance to cover any US hospital or doctor visits.

The complete list of items necessary for admission as an F-1 student is available in the International Student Center or at www.bergen.edu/isc.

Depending upon the applicant’s present immigration status, certain forms may need to be completed and submitted to USCIS. Upon admission to Bergen Community College, the applicant will be issued the proper immigration documents necessary for obtaining or maintaining F-1 visa status. Local F-1 visa holders (those studying at other US institutions) are welcome to visit the International Student Center to meet with an international admissions counselor to discuss the process of transferring to Bergen Community College.

In general, non-immigrants maintaining legal status can apply for the change of status to F-1, but there are some exceptions which should be discussed with an International admissions counselor. Prospective international students may contact the International Student Center to make an appointment with an International Student Counselor at (201) 689-7601.

The ISC also handles the admission process for other non-immigrant visa holders including J-1 visa holders (au pairs).

Recommended deadlines for submitting applications and supporting documents:

For the Fall (September - December) semester, the recommended deadline is July 1; for the Spring semester (January- May) the recommended deadline is November 1.

The change of status deadline for Fall is July 1 and October 1 for the Spring semester.

The deadline for transfer F-1 students is generally three weeks before the semester start date. However, all deadlines (except for a change of status) are flexible.

International Student Counseling

An International Student Counselor is available to assist current F-1 visa holders with academic advisement, cultural adjustment and orientation to Bergen Community College. The International Counselors and ISC staff facilitates an orientation program for all incoming international students in F-1 visa status. Students must attend this mandatory orientation to receive valuable information about the College as well as their immigration status and life in the U.S. Students are required to submitcopies of their immigration documents before orientation to satisfy reporting regulations implemented by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Current international students may contact the International Student Center to inquire about walk-in counseling hours or to make an appointment with the International Student Counselor at (201) 689-7601.

Special Notes/International Students

International applicants cannot apply for Health Professions and/or Nursing upon initial application to the college. They can later apply for these programs once they are enrolled at Bergen Community College through a change of curriculum. There are some prerequisites that must be completed prior to admissions to these curricula. Note: F-1 students should contact the International Student Center prior to applying for a health profession to discuss requirements, such as a Social Security Number.

Students placed in the American Language Program (ESL courses) cannot take college-level courses until they have successfully completed all the required levels of the program as well as having passed the required exit examination. Certain exceptions apply for students in Level 3. After completion of the American Language Program, students must take a mathematics placement test or be granted a waiver.

Second Bergen Community College Degree

Students who have completed a certificate or degree program at Bergen Community College and wish to pursue another certificate or degree at the College must complete and submit a new application for admission. Credits earned toward or for a prior degree or certificate are considered transfer credits and apply toward a second degree as outlined in the College Residency Policy. Such applicants should write “Second degree” at the top of their applications.

Students may earn only one Associate in Arts (A.A.) and one Associate in Science (A.S.) degree at Bergen Community College. Two or more Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees and certificates are permissible if in different majors.

Transfer into Bergen Community College

Transcript Requirements

A student must be admitted to a degree or certificate program in order for his/her official transcript to be reviewed, evaluated and have credits transferred.
Only official transcripts in a sealed envelope are accepted for transfer of credits.

Please submit an official college/university transcript from every institution attended to the
Bergen Community College
Office of Enrollment Services
ATN: Transcript Evaluator
Paramus Campus, Pitkin Education Center
400 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ 07652.

Transcripts also may be hand delivered as long as they are in a sealed envelope.
To send electronic transcripts, use the following email address: transfertobcc@bergen.edu
Transcripts from other institutions will not be released to the students or a third party.

An email will be sent to the student’s address on file when a transcript is received and will be logged in to the student’s academic record.
Once the transcript is evaluated and transfer credits posted, a transfer equivalency report will be mailed to the student’s address.

Transfer Requirements

Transfer Evaluation of Credit from Other Post-Secondary Institutions

Bergen Community College will accept credits for courses taken at institutionally accredited colleges and universities provided that the course is compatible with the curriculum of Bergen Community College, as approved by the faculty, and the course is applicable to the requested program of study. Bergen Community College also accepts transfer credits based on statewide agreements and will consider awarding credits based on established articulation agreements. Only those courses that have received a grade of “C” or better are accepted for transfer.

Transfer credits are not included in computing the grade point average and are recorded as “TR” grades.

It is the student’s responsibility to provide, in a timely manner, all the transcripts and documents needed to evaluate any previous educational experience.

No more than 45 transferred credits will be applied toward earning an associate degree, and no more than 18 transferred credits will be applied toward earning an academic certificate. These credits may be earned from a prior Bergen Community College degree/certificate, transfer credits from other institutions, and proficiency and/or CLEP examinations. The list of approved subject examinations for CLEP credits may be obtained in the college catalog. The balance of credits required for any degree or certificate must be earned through actual course enrollment at Bergen Community College.

Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)

Students who have taken one or more of the following advanced placement examinations may receive course credit with a score of three or above (see table/chart below).

The official Advanced Placement®(AP®) scores report must be received directly from the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) before credit is awarded.

The Bergen Community College CEEB Code is 2032.

Credits By Exam chart/Courses and Minimum Score Requirements for Credit at Bergen Community College.

(*)NOTES / Music Theory -
(1)- For the Music Theory tests taken during the pandemic period when only composite scores were given, the composite scores will be used in lieu of subscores.
(2)- A total of 11 credits is possible. For example, if the students have a composite score of 4 or better and both subscores are 4 or better, they would receive the 3 credits exempting them from MUS-103 , PLUS the 6 credits for the non-aural subscore, AND the 2 credits from the aural subscore.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Bergen Community College may award credit to individuals who have received a minimum score of 50, unless otherwise stated (see table below) for the following examinations.
Scores must be received directly from the College Entrance Examination Board before credit is awarded.
Credit received through CLEP is not necessarily transferable to other colleges and universities.

*NOTES:

1. Bergen Community College CEEB CODE: 2032
2. Official CLEP scores report required directly from CollegeBoard.
3. As of January 1, 2020, BCC will only accept the Spanish with Writing CLEP exam. Students can now receive up to 12 credits based on their scores on the Spanish with writing Exam depending on their scores.
4. For more information, current testing locations, or study guides, please go to: www.clep.org
5. For questions/concerns about your CLEP scores equivalency evaluation, please email : transfertobcc@bergen.edu

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Students who have taken one or more of the following International Baccalaureate® (IB) subjects completed may receive course credit with a score of five or above (see table/chart below).

The official International Baccalaureate (IB) Transcript of Grades is required.

Courses and Minimum Score Requirements for Credit at Bergen Community College.

Assessment of Prior Learning (PLA)

Students may receive credit for nontraditional learning by demonstrating competency via Credit by Exam (CBE).

If you are a BCC student and would like additional information on how your prior learning can be assessed via the PLA process, please email ikleinman@bergen.edu.

World Language Testing

Bergen Community College awards credit for World Languages through the New York University Proficiency Testing in Foreign Languages Program, and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

Students whom wish to take the New York University Proficiency Testing students must complete the 16-point examination, and are awarded 3 college credits. More information about the New York University Proficiency Testing can be found at: scps.nyu.edu/academics/departments/foreign-languages/testing/process.html.

For detailed information about the World Languages examinations offered through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) please visit the College Board website at: collegeboard.com/clep.

Entrance Requirements for Health Professions Programs

Website: www.bergen.edu/hp

Information Session can be found at https://bergen.edu/hpinfo

Admission to college programs in health professions is limited to a specific number of candidates each year because of requirements imposed by accrediting agencies and by the availability of faculty, college laboratory, and clinical agency resources.
To insure that all applicants are evaluated in the same way, within each discipline, criteria for acceptance has been developed by the Division of Health Professions and Student Affairs.
These criteria will be utilized in determining the candidates who will be offered admission.
Admission will have a step process: academic eligibility will be determined, as well as a criminal history background check, and admissions examination for the Dental Hygiene, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nursing, Paramedic Science, Radiography, Respiratory Care and Veterinary Technology programs.

Criminal History Background Check Requirement

Clinical agencies mandate criminal history background checks for all individuals engaged in patient care, and all students must undergo criminal history background checks before admission may be offered. These checks are conducted by an external company, and the information is sent to the Dean of Health Professions. All background reports must be clear to be eligible for admission and to be invited to take any Admissions Examination. Any applicant with a background report that is NOT clear will not be eligible for consideration.

Minimum Entrance Requirements for Health Professions Degree and Certificate Programs

Students who enter into this program must be aware of the Bergen Community College policy on the number of credits that must be taken at this college. Students enrolled in the AAS degree in health sciences must satisfy the English, Mathematics and algebra basic skills requirements. Applicant graduated from a program that has acceptable accreditation agencies that is comparable to the College’s Health Professions disciplines. Transcripts and credentials will be evaluated by an appointed admissions committee.

Degree Programs

Dental Hygiene Program AAS.HP.DENTL
Program length: 24 months
Preadmission Test: Dental Hygiene Admissions Exam
GPA for admissions eligibility: 2.50
High School prerequisite courses: Chemistry, with lab; Biology, with lab; Algebra
College substitutions: BIO-109 ; MAT-040 ; CHM-112 
Application Deadline: February 1 of the current year
Program Admits: Fall semester
Please Note: High school Biology is waived if college Biology, preferably BIO-109  is successfully completed.
Preadmission Test: Dental Hygiene Admissions Exam.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography AAS.HP.DMS
Program length: 24 months
Preadmission Test: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Admissions Exam
GPA for admissions eligibility: 2.50
Preadmission Test: Diagnostic Sonog Admissions Exam
High School prerequisite courses: AP level science; AP level physics; Algebra
College substitutions: BIO-109  (recommended); PHY-185 ; MAT-040 Algebra for Liberal Arts .
Application Deadline: February 1 of the current year
Program Admits: Fall semester
Please Note: This is a regional program that utilizes clinical education centers throughout the state of New Jersey. Students might be required to travel to distant sites and provide their own transportation.

Medical Office Assistant Program AAS.HP.MOA
Program length: 24 months
GPA for admissions eligibility: 2.00
High School prerequisite courses: None
Application Deadline: There is no deadline date for admission.
Program Admits: Fall/Spring semester

Paramedic Science Program AAS.HP.PAR
Program length: 24 months
Preadmission Test: Paramedic Science Admissions Exam and EMT skills screening, Active NJ EMT License
GPA for admissions eligibility: 2.50
High School prerequisite courses: 1 year science (College Placement Bio and Lab); 1 year Algebra;
College substitutions: BIO-109 
Application Deadline: February 1 of the current year
Program Admits: Fall semester
Please Note: This regional program utilizes clinical education sites throughout the state of NJ. Students will be required to travel to distant sites and provide their own transportation.

Radiography Program AAS.HP.RAD
Program length: 24 months
Preadmission Test: Radiography Admissions Exam
GPA for admissions eligibility: 2.50
High School prerequisite courses: 1 year science (College Placement Bio and Lab); 1 year algebra (Algebra II);
College substitutions: BIO-109 ; BIO-209 ; MAT-035
Application Deadline: February 1 of the current year
Program Admits: Fall semester
Please Note: High school Biology is waived if college Biology, preferably BIO-109  is successfully completed.

Respiratory Therapy Technology AAS.HP.RESP
Program length: 24 months
Preadmission Test: Respiratory Therapy Admissions Exam
GPA for admissions eligibility: 2.00
High School prerequisite courses: Chemistry with lab; Biology with lab; Math
College substitutions: BIO-109 ; CHM-100 ; MAT-040  
Application Deadline: February 1 of the current year
Program Admits: Fall semester
Please Note: High school Biology is waived if college Biology, preferably BIO-109  is successfully completed.

Veterinary Technology AAS.HP.VET
Program length: 24 months
Preadmission Test: Veterinary Technology Admissions Exam
GPA for admissions eligibility: 2.00
Prerequisites: VET-102 ; VET-103 ; VET-115 ; MAT-040 ; ENG-101  
Application Deadline: October 1 of the current year
Program Admits: Spring semester.
Please Note: Applicants will only be accepted once the pre-requisites stated above have been successfully completed. Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with a program official regarding application procedures. Travel is required for all students enrolled in this program.

Nursing AAS.NURS.DAY
Program Length: 2 academic years
Preadmission Test: Nursing Program Admission Exam
GPA Requirement: 2.5
High School prerequisite courses: Chemistry and Biology with Lab; Algebra.
College substitutions:BIO-109 ; CHM-112 ; MAT-040 .
Application Deadline: February 1 for Fall admission
Program Admits: Fall semester.

Nursing Evening Program AAS.NURS.EVE
Program Length: 2 academic years
Preadmission Test: HESI Admission Exam
GPA Requirement: 2.5
High School prerequisite courses: Chemistry with Lab;
College substitutions: CHM-112  .
College prerequisite courses: MAT-040 ; BIO-109  and BIO-209 ; ENG-101  and ENG-201 ; PSY-106 ; SOC-101 
Application Deadline: October 1 for Spring admission
Program Admits: Spring semester

Certificate Programs

Medical Office Assistant Program CERT.MOAA
Program length: 12 months
GPA for admissions eligibility: 2.00
High School prerequisite courses: None
Application Deadline: There is no deadline date for admission.
Program Admits: Fall/Spring semester.

Radiation Therapy Technology Program CERT.RAD.THERAPY
Program length: 12 months
GPA for admissions eligibility: 2.50
Prerequisite courses: Registered or registry eligible Radiologic Technologist; two biology, with labs (BIO-109  and BIO-209 ); Algebra/MAT-160 ;  PHY-185 Introduction to Physics . In addition to the above stated requirements, candidates cannot be accepted into the program until at least 2 of the 5 general education courses have been completed: MAT-180 , MAT-250 , CIS-158 , ENG-201 , COM-100 . Three of the above listed general education courses may be taken concurrent with the program. Successful completion of all 5 courses is required by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and the NJ Department of Environmental Protection.
Application Deadline: February 1 of the current year.
Program Admits: Fall semester only.
Please Note: Students who are interested in the program should make an appointment to meet with the coordinator regarding admissions.

Surgical Technology Program CERT.SURG
Program length: 12 months
GPA for admissions eligibility: 2.00
High School prerequisite courses: High school graduate, or GED
College substitutions: none
Application Deadline: February 1 of the current year
Program Admits: Fall semester only.

Health Science Program AAS.HP.HLTH.SCI
Program length: 12 months
GPA for admissions eligibility: 2.50
Application Deadline: February 1 of the current year.
Program Admits: Fall and Spring Semester
Please Note: Qualified students will be awarded 30 transfer credits. The credits will be applied to the degree in Health Science upon the completion of the curriculum. It is essential to understand that this program does not entitle the graduate eligibility to advanced certification or licensure within the Health Professions discipline.

Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program

(http://www.bergen.edu/eof)

The Educational Opportunity Fund Program was instituted by the New Jersey State Legislature in 1968 for the purpose of helping economically and educationally disadvantaged students obtain a college education. Students who are accepted into the program are provided with a grant and comprehensive support services. The program is designed to enhance their college experience and to insure the success of each participant by offering them counseling, priority registration, financial aid information, workshops, permanent tutoring times, and additional summer funding.

All students who are deemed eligible for admission to the EOF Program and who are entering college for the first-time are encouraged to attend a six-week Pre-Freshman Summer program immediately prior to the fall semester of their freshman year. The summer program offers the opportunity for students to strengthen their Mathematic and English placements for the fall semester while preparing for the transition into college.

To be eligible for an Educational Opportunity Fund grant, a student must:

• Be a New Jersey Resident for at least one (1) year,
• Be a United States citizen or Permanent Resident,
• Be recipient of High School Diploma or GED,
• Intend to have full-Time enrollment, in the first semester,
• Have only completed 32 College-level credits or less,
• Be eligible for the TAG ( as determined by completing the FAFSA), and
• Meet the income Eligibility Guidelines based on the household income.

Initial EOF eligibility is determined on the basis of both economic and educational criteria as the EOF Program is not an entitlement program. Although students may qualify for the program, admission criteria would give priority to first- time, fulltime freshmen and to EOF transfer students in good standing from another EOF Program.

Those interested in the EOF Program should contact the EOF office in Room C-100, or call (201) 447-7139.

Placement in English and Mathematics

All students who reach their 11th attempted credit must take a placement test in both English and Mathematics unless they qualify for a waiver. Students placed into Developmental English must enroll in these courses in their first semester at the College and continue to enroll in them until the requirements are completed. Students matriculated in degree programs must begin their required Developmental Mathematics courses by their 16th attempted credit.

These preparatory courses emphasize the development of basic reading, writing, computation, and algebra skills, which will help students perform successfully in college-level courses. Students are urged to seek academic advisement in choosing these and other courses.

Developmental English Requirements

Based on the results of the English Placement Test, native speakers of English or those who have resided in the U.S. for eight or more years may be placed into one of five entry-level English courses. EBS-011 Developmental Skills I  and EBS-021 English Skills  are taken before Composition I. Two other courses enable students to take Composition I with an EBS support course: EBS-033 Directed Studies in Writing II  or EBS-041 Directed Studies in Writing I ). The final possibility is Composition I alone.

Students placed in EBS-011  or EBS-021  must enroll in their required course in their first semester at the College and remain in these courses in order to take other College credit-bearing courses.

Developmental Mathematics Requirements

Based on the results of the Mathematics portion of the Placement Test, a student may be placed into developmental math courses: MAT-011 Basic Mathematics  with or without MAT-010 Basic Mathematics Support  or MAT-012 Basic Mathematics Accelerated [Computer Assisted] , and/or MAT-040 Algebra for Liberal Arts  or Algebra (MAT-048 ) depending upon your major.

Students are encouraged to begin developmental mathematics as soon as they enroll at the College. Students matriculated in A.A. and A.S. degree programs must begin their developmental math placement sequence of courses by their 16th attempted college credit.

Academic Intervention and Monitoring System (AIMS)

AIMS is designed to support first semester students with Accuplacer scores under 59 in combined Mathematics and under 159 in combined English as they adjust to the demands of college. The program includes a community of peers, instructors, tutors, and advisers who work together to help students build their reading, writing, and math skills while guiding them as they create plans for academic and professional success.
All AIMS learning communities include EBS-011 Developmental Skills I , Basic Mathematics (MAT-010 /MAT-011 ), and IST-123 Success 101 . Certain AIMS Communities add a general education course such as PSY-101 General Psychology  or a career concentration course such as CRJ-101 Introduction to Criminal Justice .

The AIMS program offers full-time, first semester students the following advantages:

• Special orientation and registration session.
• Prescheduled patterns of courses.
• Small classes, averaging 15-18 students.
• In-class tutors and/or supplemental instruction.
• Individualized attention from both classroom instructors and counselors.

ESL / ALP American Language Program

Office: Pitkin Education Center, Room A333
Phone: (201) 447-7168
Website: https://bergen.edu/academics/academic-divisions-departments/esl-world-languages/esl/program-information-foresl-students/

The ESL/American Language Program (ALP) is a comprehensive English as a second language (ESL) program for academically or professionally oriented students. The ESL/ALP provides English language learners with the language skills needed to reach their academic, professional, and personal goals.

Students’ starting levels are determined by the results of a language placement test. Acceleration through the levels is possible by exam and/or teacher recommendation. Successful completion of required ESL courses qualifies students for entrance into college-level courses. Students with high placement test scores may qualify to take some college-level courses while completing their required ESL courses.

The ESL/ALP consists of four levels: Foundations (beginner), Level 1 (low intermediate), Level 2 (intermediate), and Level 3 (advanced).

ESL/ALP courses carry 3 non-degree credits; ESL/SPE courses are also non-degree credits except for SPE-100 Advanced Oral Communication for Non-Native Speakers , which is a college-level 3-credit course.

Students placed in the ALP may enroll for a maximum of 15 credits per semester. Students who wish to enroll on a part-time basis should seek advisement on proper course selection.

College Experience Program (CEP)

The College Experience Program is intended as a mechanism for talented high school juniors and seniors to pursue advanced education at an early stage in their academic life. Students completing their sophomore year of high school at the time of application for any summer session will be considered. Courses should represent an advanced experience and reflect an accelerated academic interest. This program is not intended to compensate for high school course failures or remedial work.

Approved applicants will be permitted to take:

• Up to two courses or six credits in the fall or spring semesters.
• One course or four credits in any summer session.

Students who participate in the College Experience Program should note that all grades earned as a result of courses attempted or completed serve to establish a permanent record at Bergen Community College.

Dual Enrollment (High School)

Website: https://bergen.edu/academics/college-high-school-partnership-programs/dual-enrollment/
Office: Pitkin Education Center, Room A-221
Phone: 201-447-7617

As part of the dual enrollment agreement, students will continue to take college-level courses at their high schools while they are completing the necessary coursework to earn their high school diplomas.
As part of this program, students can earn up to 18 college credits prior to high school graduation.

Judith K. Winn School of Honors

Office: Pitkin Education Center, Room S-347

Website: https://bergen.edu/honors/jkw/

Office: Pitkin Education Center, Room S-347,

Phone: 201-493-3567

The Honors Program committee named the School after Dr. Judith K. Winn, in recognition of her contributions during 12 years as the College’s president. Honors sections of General Education courses including those in the Humanities, the Social Sciences, Business, Science, and Math are offered during the fall and spring semesters. A complete list of all honors courses offered (only) during the spring and fall semesters is available on WebAdvisor (check the Honors box below the days of the week) on the College website, www.bergen.edu.

Honors students enjoy smaller and more challenging classes. Students have access to an honors advisor each semester, may attend transfer seminars specifically designed for honors students, and have their honors courses designated as such on transcripts. They also have the opportunity for priority registration during each semester they are eligible to take honors courses. Participation in the Honors Program also enhances students’ prospects for transferring to colleges and universities, often with scholarships.

Study Abroad

Through Bergen Community College’s membership in the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS) and through other study abroad providers.
Bergen students have access to programs in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
Destinations include, but are not limited to, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, New Zealand, Peru, and Spain.

Study abroad experiences range from a summer, a semester or an academic year.
The programs are, for the most part, designed for undergraduate credit. Academic studies may include the language and culture of the host country, as well as business, art, and more. Study abroad programs are designed for cultural immersion and many sites offer a chance to live with a family in the host country.
Students must have completed one semester of college level courses at Bergen, be a full-time student, and be in good academic standing in order to participate.
At least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale is required. Certain programs require a 3.0 grade point average.

It is a good idea to begin the application process a year in advance, if possible, in order to apply for federally funded study abroad scholarships such as the Gilman Scholarship and the Critical Language Program Scholarship.
Financial aid may be used for study abroad programs.
Early application allows the Financial Aid Office to complete the review of eligibility for financial aid and to get all of the paperwork done.
Be sure to apply no later than fifteen weeks prior to departure.
Special scholarships are also available through the Bergen Community College Foundation.
Application deadlines for special scholarships are March 1, for summer and fall programs, and October for spring programs.

To find out more about this opportunity, visit the International Student Center (SC-110) and speak with Prof Amparo Codding or call (201) 689-7601 to make an appointment.

Summer Intensive Program

E-mail Contact: siprogram@bergen.edu

The Summer Intensive College-Readiness Program identifies students in the 11th and 12th grades who are not likely to be college ready at the end of high school. For students who do not achieve a college ready score in English/Language Arts and/or Mathematics, the Summer Intensive Program provides a diagnostic assessment that identifies those areas of weakness that students must address to develop the necessary skills to be considered college ready. In addition, a transition program is provided, based on the results of the diagnostic assessment, to address those learning outcomes necessary for a student to achieve college ready skills. Students will be enrolled in a Math or English developmental education course and begin their accelerated developmental course sequence taught by Bergen Community College Math and English faculty. In addition to the accelerated course, the Summer Intensive Program also will engage students in a holistic curriculum designed to enhance the students’ academic and intellectual achievements, career and professional growth, leadership maturation, and civic engagement skills.

The Summer Intensive Program offers a college-level College Success course for students to earn college credit taught by Bergen Community College faculty and instructors who assume the same level of commitment and involvement from Summer Intensive students that they do from all college students. The College Success class is a six-week intensive 3-credit course that the student takes over the summer before they begin college. The credits students earn will count towards the student’s degree at Bergen Community College and can be transferred to undergraduate programs at many other universities. The College Success course is of no cost to the student. The grade students earn will be placed on their official transcript and provide students the ability to establish a cumulative grade point average before their first semester at Bergen and the opportunity for a strong beginning to their academic career.

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)

Bergen Community College (BCC) recognizes the vast knowledge and skills of its diverse student population through prior learning assessment.

The Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) Program gives students an opportunity to apply for course credit for experiential learning, non-credit course completion, and various forms of professional development, licensure/certification and credit-by-exam.

Course credit is awarded when content mastered through demonstrated knowledge and/or learning experiences iscomparable to the student learning outcomes of a BCC course. Participants benefit from reduced time toward degree completion thereby saving money.

Prior Learning Assessment Options

There are multiple approaches to the assessment of prior learning. PLA options for college credit include individualized evaluations of a student’s learning via portfolio review.
Portfolio review allows students to request college credit for knowledge and skills acquired through employment, non-traditional education and/or training.

Experiences must be verifiable and demonstrate achievement of learning outcomes for a BCC academic course. BCC will not award credit based solely on years of employment.
Currently approved articulations information can be found at https://bergen.edu/academics/pla/currently-approved-articulations/

In addition to documentation, students may be asked to display specific skills via demonstration or hands-on testing, take an oral or written problem-solving exam and/or complete an interview to assess content knowledge.
Students interested in credit via portfolio review are required to take CD 134 Prior Learning Assessment Portfolio Workshop Series, a noncredit course offered by the Division of Continuing Education. This course is designed to provide an introduction to Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) portfolio development.

For more information on credit via portfolio review, please see Dr. Ilene Kleinman, Associate Dean of Curriculum, on the main campus in Paramus, NJ or email: ikleinman@bergen.edu

Assessment of Prior Learning via Credit by Exam

Students may receive credit for nontraditional learning by demonstrating competency via Credit by Exam.

If you are a BCC student and would like additional information on how your prior learning can be assessed via the CBE process, please email: ikleinman@bergen.edu

Basic Skills Placement Testing - Testing Services

(bergen.edu/testing)

The Bergen Community College Office of Testing Services (OTS), is located in Room S-127.
OTS serves the college community by identifying, developing, procuring, administering, processing, and/or evaluating examinations, which meet a variety of administrative and instructional needs.
To contact the OTS, please call (201) 447-7202.

General Test Taking Requirements

The Office of Testing Services will not administer examinations to test takers unless they provide the following:

• Valid government issued photo identification.
  Acceptable identification is a Bergen Community College student identification card, a US issued driver’s license, a Bergen County photo identification card, a valid government issued passport, alien registration card (Green Card) or a high school identification.
  If you do not possess any of the mentioned valid photo identifications, please call the Office of Testing Services at (201) 447-7203.
• Student Identification Number.
  A student identification number is either a social security number or a Bergen Community College student identification number issued by the Office of Admissions and Recruitment, Room SC-110, Student Center, at the College’s main campus in Paramus, NJ.

Basic Skills Placement Testing

Bergen Community College requires that all students enrolled in a degree or certificate program AND all non-degree-seeking students who reach their 11th attempted credit take a Basic Skills Placement Test in reading, writing, computation, and algebra.

The results of this test determine a student’s required entry-level in both English and Mathematics courses.
Under specific conditions, a student may have the placement test requirement waived.
There is no fee for this examination. Virtual/remote online testing is available for a fee.

For information about waivers as well as placement test information and subject matter review sheets, visit the Office of Testing Services, Room S-127.

ALP/ESL Placement Test - for ESL (English as a Second Language) Students

International students or students for whom English is not their native language may be required to take the ALP/ESL Placement Test.

This test measures proficiency in reading, writing, and listening and may place students in the American Language Program (ALP).
Students who complete the ALP or who have tested out of the program through the ALP/ESL Placement Test are then required to take the mathematics portion of the Basic Skills Placement Test. Under specific conditions, a student may have the ALP/ESL Placement Test, and/or mathematics test requirement waived.

There is no fee for this examination if taken in-person. Virtual/Remote testing is available for a fee.

Further information about waivers, the ALP/ESL Placement is available at https://bergen.edu/testing/english-languageproficiency-test-alp-esl/.

Challenge Testing

Due to a variety of circumstances students may not perform to the best of their abilities on the Basic Skills Placement test or ALP/ESL placement test.
To assess basic skills proficiency, Challenge Tests are offered in English, Arithmetic, Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS), American Language Program (ALP/ESL) and Speech.

Challenge tests are offered continuously throughout the year.

There is no fee for this examination if taken in-person. Virtual/Remote online testing is available for a fee.

The Challenge Test policies and procedures and testing options can be obtained on the Office of Testing Services website at bergen.edu/testing, at the office on the Paramus campus, Pitkin Education Center room S-127, by email at testingoffice@bergen.edu or by phone at (201) 447-7203.

More information on Challenge Tests can be found at https://bergen.edu/testing/challenge-tests/

Proficiency Testing

Proficiency tests are offered as a means of placement for a variety of college-level courses.

Successful scores on the proficiency tests allow students to register for a higher level course within the same discipline sequence.
However, a successful proficiency test carries no course credit.

Proficiency test policies and procedures and review materials can be obtained at www.bergen.edu/testing.

Registration for the Proficiency Tests must be completed in person in room S-127.
There is a $30.50 fee for each proficiency test taken.

Special Accommodations Testing

The Office of Testing Services provides reasonable testing accommodations for students who have submitted their documentation to the Office of Specialized Services (OSS).

Details about testing accommodations can be found at https://bergen.edu/testing/special-accommodations-testing/

Additional information about the accommodations process and the Office of Specialized Services (OSS) can be found at www.bergen.edu/oss

Instructional Makeup Testing

The Office of Testing Services (OTS) administers very limited makeup tests as a service for students who, for compelling and exceptional reasons, have missed a scheduled classroom examination.

Students must receive prior permission from and make arrangements with their course instructors to take these examinations, under specific conditions, in the OTS, Room S-127.

Students may take their required examinations during posted proctored testing hours and must follow the Testing Center Policies and Procedures.
Details can be found at https://bergen.edu/testing/courses-required-testing/

Testing for Online Courses

The Office of Testing Services (OTS) administers very limited test taking to students who are enrolled in online courses originating at Bergen Community College.

Students may take their required examinations during posted proctored testing hours and must follow the Testing Center Policies and Procedures.
Additional information can be found at www.bergen.edu/testing.