Learning and Career Pathways

BC graduate giving speech

Bakersfield College has grouped degree and certificate programs together in categories to better support students. Select one of the Learning and Career Pathways to access to resources to help you stay on track with your educational journey. Each Pathway has a list of programs, contacts for support and career exploration information. Get started on your pathway to an education at BC, transferring to a 4-year college or university, and your future career.

Overhead shot of food on table.
The Agriculture, Nutrition, and Culinary Arts (ANC) Pathway is designed to help students develop their skills for employment in agriculture, nutrition and culinary arts industries such as farming, ranch management, nutritionists, and restaurant and catering. The pathway offers a variety of majors and certificates in specific areas, such as kitchen techniques, pre-veterinary medicine, and environmental horticulture.
Colorful musicians artwork.
The Arts, Communication, and Humanities (ACH) Pathway is designed to help students develop their creativity and communication skills. The pathway offers a variety of majors and certificates in specific areas, such as graphic design, media arts, or commercial music, for employment in creative jobs such as writing, editing, music, theatre and more.
Business associates working on computer.
The Business Pathway is designed to help students develop the skills they need to succeed in a variety of business careers. There are a variety of majors to make you employable and/or to transfer to a university. We also offer noncredit certificates for small business development and entrepreneurs.
Teacher smiling in classroom with students working on computers in the background.
The Education Pathway is designed future teachers and paraprofessionals. There are a variety of majors for teaching different age groups and certificates to specialize in specific areas. All students may be interested in some of the noncredit skill building classes to improve your own studies.
Nurse working on dummy in hospital setting.
The Health Sciences Pathway at Bakersfield College is designed to help students develop the skills they need to succeed in a variety of healthcare careers. The pathway offers a variety of majors, including nursing, health information technology, kinesiology, and radiology technology. Students in the pathway can also earn certificates in specific areas, such as health navigator and vocational nursing.
Factory worker on phone wearing safety gear.
The Industrial Technology and Transportation (ITT) Pathway at Bakersfield College is designed to help students develop the skills they need to succeed in a variety of industrial and transportation careers. The pathway offers a variety of majors, including automotive technology, process technology, industrial automation, and welding technology. Students in the pathway can also earn certificates in specific areas, such as engine overhaul and repair, automotive management, and woodworking.
Public safety worker walking towards ambulance and firetruck.
The Public Safety Training Pathway offers degrees and certificates for those looking for employment in the honorable service of the public and keeping them safe. Programs include Fire Technology, Criminology, and EMT/Paramedic training.
Four people walking towards mountains in desert setting.
The Social and Behavioral Sciences Pathway leads to employment in politics, law, human services, psychology, or further studying people and history. Many of these majors prepare students for transfer to a 4-year university.
Students wearing goggles working in science lab.
The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Pathway is designed for leading to careers in STEM fields. Many of these degrees prepare you for transfer to a university. You can also earn certificates in specific areas, such as information technology and modern energy.
Person looking through magnifying glass.
The Personal and Career Exploration Pathway is designed to help students who are undecided about their major or career path. The pathway offers an associate of arts in Liberal Arts and certificates in preparation for transferring to a university.

Not sure where to start? Let us help.

Meet with a Counselor

Take the right classes to meet your education and career goals. Create your Comprehensive Student Education Plan (CSEP) with your Counselor or Ed. Advisor.
Call (661) 395-4421.

Not sure about your career path?

Take the career quiz to discover the perfect career based on your personality type and interests.