Curriculum Programs of Study
Curriculum Programs
Each curriculum offered by Bladen Community College is based upon a system-wide standard approved by the North Carolina State Board of Community Colleges. Each standard includes the curriculum title; the highest credential which may be awarded; a program code; a program description; a range of semester hour credits (SHC) required in general education courses, major courses, and other required courses; and total credits allowed for each curriculum.
The standard for each curriculum program shall be based on the following criteria established by the State Board for the awarding of degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
Associate Degree Programs
The College awards several types of degrees: Associate in Applied Science, Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Engineering, and Associate in General Education
Associate in Applied Science degree programs require an identified sixty-four to seventy-six (64-76) semester hours of credit and are designed to prepare students for entry-level positions in paraprofessional fields. However, some credits may be transferred to select colleges and universities.
The Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees require an identified sixty to sixty-one (60-61) semester hours of credit and are designed for students who wish to transfer to a four-year college or university after completing their first two years at the community college. Within the degree programs, the institution shall include opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and basic computer use. The Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (CAA) and the Independent Comprehensive Articulation Agreement (ICAA) enables North Carolina community college graduates of two-year associate in arts or associate in science programs who are admitted to constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and to Signatory Institutions of North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities to transfer with junior status. Community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in order to transfer with a junior status. Courses may also transfer through bilateral agreements between institutions.
The Associate in Engineering degree requires an identified sixty to sixty-one (60-61) semester hours of credit. Within the degree program, the institution shall include opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and basic computer use. The degree plan includes required general education and prerequisite courses that are acceptable to all state funded Bachelor of Engineering programs. Students who follow the degree progression plan will meet the entrance requirements at all of the North Carolina public Bachelor of Science Engineering programs. Associate in Engineering graduates may then apply to any of these programs without taking additional and sometimes duplicative courses. Admission to Engineering programs is highly competitive and admission is not guaranteed. To be eligible for the transfer of credits under the AE to the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Articulation Agreement, community college graduates must obtain a grade of “C” or better in each course and an overall GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
The Associate in General Education degree requires an identified sixty-four to sixty-five (64-65) semester hours of credit. This curriculum is designed for the academic enrichment of students who wish to broaden their education, with emphasis on personal interest, growth and development. Course work includes study in the areas of humanities and fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, and English composition. Opportunities for the achievement of competence in reading, writing, oral communication, fundamental mathematical skills, and the basic use of computers will be provided. Through these skills, students will have a sound base for lifelong learning. Graduates are prepared for advancements within their field of interest and become better qualified for a wide range of employment opportunities.
Diploma Programs
Diploma programs can generally be completed in three (3) semesters and are designed to provide training that will enable graduates to enter a technical occupation at the entry-level. They require an identified thirty-six to forty-eight (36-48) semester hours of credit and include course in communication skills and social sciences. In some curriculum areas, the courses earned in completing the diploma count toward the associate degree.
Certificate Programs
Certificate programs can generally be completed in one (1) or two (2) semesters. Students who successfully complete an identified twelve to eighteen (12-18) semester hours of credit in a curriculum program receive a certificate. In some curriculum areas, the courses earned in completing the certificate program count toward the diploma or associate degree.
General Education College Level Core Competencies
Each academic program at Bladen Community College (BCC) includes a core of courses that outline the content, skills, and learning outcomes that students have in common, regardless of their major or degree program. In addition to discipline specific content, this core of courses introduces general academic skill to include written communication, oral communication, basic computer usage, problem solving, understanding scientific concepts and applications, and understanding social structure.
The core satisfies the General Education component of degree programs. For associate in applied science degree programs, the core encompasses a minimum of 15 semester hours in the following areas: English, humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral sciences, natural sciences and mathematics.
For the Associate in Arts Degree, the core encompasses 44-45 semester hours. Student competencies in general academic skills are introduced and assessed in the core; however, curriculum major courses also teach these skills embedded in program specific content. It is the reinforcement of these competencies across disciplines and in program specific courses that advance qualified graduates. Therefore, BCC assesses the extent to which graduates have obtained these competencies (SACS CS 3.5.1).