If you are exploring the different disciplines to decide upon a major, begin with Learning & Career Pathways. Bakersfield College is approaching degrees and certificates in a new way. We have grouped programs together in categories to better support our students. Explore our programs and future careers through:
Bakersfield College is located in the agriculturally rich San Joaquin Valley, and offers a wide variety of degrees and certificates related to agriculture. The disciplines included in our Agriculture Department are: Agriculture Business, Animal Science, Environmental Horticulture, Forestry & Natural Resources, Mechanized Agriculture, Plant Science and Pre-Veterinary Medicine. All of these degrees are in the Agriculture, Nutrition and Culinary Arts Pathway.
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The Allied Health Department offers academic and vocational education to prepare men and women for careers in health occupations. There are two programs offered: Health Information Technology and Radiologic Technology. Both of these programs are in the Health Sciences Pathway.
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The Art Department provides instruction in the visual arts; preparing students for visual literacy, cultural awareness, aesthetic sensitivity and developing skills in creative problem-solving. Art program degrees and certificates are part of the Arts, Humanities and Communication Pathway.
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The Biology Department’s mission is to establish high quality science education, instilling discipline competencies for students in the vocational education, general education, and transfer pathways. The Biology AS-T and the Environmental Science AS-T are in the STEM Pathway and the Human Biology is in the Health Sciences Pathway.
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Education offers courses and opportunities to develop academic skills in a supportive environment. This department offers the stackable Paraprofessional I, II, and III certificates in the Education Pathway and courses to improve skills, a Learning Center, a Student Success Lab and other resources to keep you on the path of academic success for any of the Learning and Career Pathways.
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English courses in writing, research, and literature support students in developing critical thinking and the effective communication of ideas. Whatever academic and professional goals students may choose, strong reasoning and language skills are necessary for success and participation. The English AS-T is part of the Arts, Humanities and Communication Pathway.
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This program welcomes local bilingual/bicultural students seeking to improve their language skills, as well as English language learners from around the world. The program is designed to equip English learners with language skills required for academic work at the college or university level.
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Family and Consumer Education (FACE)
FACE department includes two programs:
This program integrates theoretical, practical and experiential coursework to develop further understanding of children, families and the processes of teaching and learning. Child Development programs of study are in the Education Pathway.
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This program of study integrates theoretical and practical course work which prepares the student for the food service workforce. These programs of Study are in the Agriculture, Nutrition and Culinary Arts Pathway.
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This department provides courses to meet various requirements for physical education for programs and transfer. Additionally, the department offers the Kinesiology and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs.
Kinesiology
Kinesiology is the scientific study of human or non-human body movement. Kinesiology addresses physiological, biomechanical, and psychological dynamic principles and mechanisms of movement.
Types of Kinesiology
- Exercise Physiology - Study of the body systems
- Biomechanics - Study of the human body in motion through the principles of physics
- Exercise Psychology - Science of the mind and behavior
- Exercise Sociology
- Motor Learning and Development
- Sport Pedagogy – Study of Coaching /Teaching
- Fitness and Wellness
- Recreational Management
- Strength and Conditioning
- Physical Education and Dance
- Therapeutic Exercise
- Adaptive Physical Education
- Athletic Training
- Sport Management
The Kinesiology and Physical Therapist Assistant programs are in the Health Sciences Pathway.
More about the Kinesiology, Health, and Athletics Department »
More about the Physical Therapist Assistant Program »
Whether you strive to become a mathematician or simply need math courses as a requirement for another program, Mathematics is the corner stone of any education. The Mathematics AS-T is in the STEM Pathway.
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Our Nursing program is perhaps the most popular at BC. They offer degree programs for Registered Nursing (RN), Vocational Nursing (LVN), LVN-RN bridge and Nursing Assistant. Nursing programs are in the Health Sciences Pathway.
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One of the strongest traditional liberal arts majors in higher education, Philosophy’s emphasis on critical thinking, theories of knowledge, value and reality, truth, rational argument and proof make it an excellent pre-professional undergraduate major (e.g., for law, theology, medicine, business, computer science) or minor (e.g., for the natural, physical and social science and humanities majors). The philosophy AA-T is in the Arts, Humanities and Communication Pathway.
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The Physical Science Department encompasses a number of programs including: Astronomy, Chemistry, Geology, and Physics. Courses within these programs are taken by those who are preparing for a career in science or engineering, fulfilling a General Education science requirement, and those simply wishing to learn about one or more of these fields. The physical science programs are in the STEM Pathway.
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Looking for a career in Fire-Fighting, Emergency Medical Services, Law Enforcement or another field in Public Safety? If you enjoy helping others, are active and enjoy challenges, take your first steps towards a career in Public Safety. These programs are in the Public Safety Training Pathway.
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Accessibility Center
Social Sciences
The Social Sciences Department at Bakersfield College offers programs in Economics, History and Political Science. These programs are in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Pathway.
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