Bucks County Community College (Bucks) is a public community college in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1964, Bucks has three campuses and online courses: a main campus in Newtown, an "Upper Bucks" campus in the town of Perkasie, and a "Lower Bucks" campus in the town of Bristol. There are also various satellite facilities located throughout the county. The college offers courses via face-to-face classroom-based instruction, eLearning classes offered completely online (often referred to as distance learning), and in hybrid (blended) modes that combine face-to-face instruction with online learning. The college is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

History

alt=view of Tyler mansion from the gardens|thumb|Tyler Hall & Gardens|left

The main Newtown campus is located on a former estate that Bucks County acquired in very early 1965 from Temple University, which had inherited it from Stella Elkins Tyler, a wealthy benefactor, only two years before. The George F. Tyler Mansion houses administrative offices. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

In 1968, about 200 students participated in a protest after the president of the college canceled a planned speech by gay rights activist Dick Leitsch. It is notable as one of only two gay rights protests to occur on a college campus prior to the 1969 Stonewall riots.

Locations

thumb|Fitness Center

Bucks has three campuses and also offers online classes.

Newtown

Newtown Campus is the oldest and largest campus, and is located at 275 Swamp Road in Newtown, Pennsylvania – directly adjacent to Tyler State Park.

Facilities include: library, computer labs, science labs, teleconference center, art studios and workshops, TV studios, auditorium, early learning center, fitness center, gymnasium, cafeteria, and café.

Zlock Performing Arts Center

thumb|Zlock Performing Arts Center

In October 2014, the Gateway Auditorium would be renamed in honor of local philanthropists Kevin and Sima Zlock.

Upper Bucks

The Upper Bucks Campus in Perkasie, Pennsylvania opened in 1999

Lower Bucks

Established in 2007, the Gene & Marlene Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks is located in Bristol, Pennsylvania.

Academics

thumb|Founders Hall

alt=Tyler gardens on newtown campus|thumb|Science Center, Newtown

Bucks offers over 90 academic programs within 7 schools, including 43 associate degree programs designed to transfer to a four-year institution for the completion of a Bachelor's Degree. There are also 23 occupational associate degree programs and 27 certificate programs, both designed to prepare students to directly enter the workforce in a variety of disciplines. The schools at the college include:

  • Business & Legal Studies
  • Health Sciences
  • Kinesiology & Sport Studies
  • Language & Literature
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
  • Social & Behavioral Sciences
  • Visual & Performing Arts

The School of Language & Literature also hosts the Wordsmiths Series, and is the home of the Tyler Literary Society's Literary magazine now in its 31st year.

Students can take advantage of transfer agreements with four-year institutions to complete their Bachelor's Degree, including many dual enrollment agreements with nearby colleges and universities.

Continuing Education

The Continuing Education Department offers classes for Personal Enrichment and Professional Development.alt=old stone cottage|thumb|The Cottages

IT Academy

The IT Academy at Bucks County Community College offers training for technology certification programs, as well as other technology courses. Certifications include CompTIA, Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Amazon Web Services (aws), and more.

Center for Workforce Development

The Center for Workforce Development offers Career and Workforce Training, some of which is in partnership with PA CareerLink and the County of Bucks. A new Center for Advanced Manufacturing began construction in the spring of 2021 at the Lower Bucks Campus. They also host Fire Training Weekends for Pennsylvania fire departments.

Alumni

Some notable graduates include Steve Capus, Anthony Fedorov, Patrick Murphy and Terri Schiavo.

References

  • Athletics website