Bakersfield College (BC) Introduction and Academics

Introduction

Bakersfield College (BC) is one of the oldest junior colleges in California, having been in constant operation since its founding in 1913. Today it is a public community college with a population of over 18,000 students. The main campus extends over 143 acres in the northeast part of Bakersfield, a city of roughly 350,000 people in southern California. There are also two satellite campuses; the Delano center 35 miles north of the city, and the Weill Institute in downtown Bakersfield.

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Information Summary

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Overall Score (about)	Insufficient Data
Total Cost On-Campus Attendance	$3,179
Admission Success rate	N/A
Student Ratio Students-to-Faculty	22 : 1
Retention (full-time / part-time)	N/A / N/A
Enrollment Total (all students)	24,589

Academics

Degree Programs

Currently there are 184 distinct certificate programs and associate

Most Popular Fields of Study

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Unique Programs

Programs for Students with Challenges

There are a number of programs at Bakersfield to reach out to students who may have difficult acclimating to college academics. The Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOP&S) program is a state-funded initiative to help orient, recruit, and retain college students from California who are economically, socially, and/or educationally disadvantaged. EOP&S offers financial assistance and academic support to qualified students. EOP&S services are geared towards full-time students with risk factors for failure, including being at least one of the following: a first-generation college student, a re-entry student, a student with a disability, a student whose first language is something other than English, an ethnic minority, or a student with a poor educational record.

The Office of Disabled Student Programs and Services strive to make a college education available to anyone who wants it. To this end, they provide counseling, registration assistance, learning disabilities assessment, assistive computer technology, materials in large print, materials in Braille, alternate testing arrangements, and more.

As part of their mission to offer higher education to everyone in their community who desires it, Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) was created. This program provides tutoring, mentorships, workshops and various other forms of assistance to educationally disadvantaged students.

Environmental Training

One of the more innovative school/community programs at Bakersfield is the environmental training program, which offers low- and no-cost services to small area businesses such as waste minimization plans, regulatory compliance assistance, and energy assistance plans. This program provides a significant benefit to business while offering experience and a foot in the door to students learning to provide those same services.

Constitutional Test Preparation

Because prospective teachers in California are required to demonstrate their knowledge of the U.S. Constitution in order to receive teaching credentials, the Social Science Division and the College Assessment Center collaborate to offer Constitution test preparation, administration, processing, and certification for their students and other potential teachers.

Admissions

The admissions process does not exclude anyone who wishes to enroll in the college, with the exception of international students not in possession of an F-1 visa. An online admission application is available on the school

Financial Aid

An array of financial aid options from government sources are available to students. All students in need of aid have to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

In addition, the college offers several unique merit- and need-based scholarships. Check the website for more information on the requirements and deadlines. The school also encourages students to check into other scholarships, that are based outside of the school, and to apply for those.

Student Financial Aid Details

Ranks 4814th for the average student loan amount.
Secrets to getting the best scholarships and financial aid in California.

Students

Clubs and Organizations

There are many student organizations and clubs, including professional organizations such as the Engineers Club and Future Teachers Club; skill-building clubs such as the student newspaper the Renegade Rip and the Debate Team; cultural clubs such as the Intercultural Student Association and Maize (to promote Latino cultural understanding); agricultural groups such as Agriculture Club and Agriculture Ambassadors; and artistic organizations such as Chamber Singers, Jazz Ensemble, and several other different bands and choirs. The Renegade Rip enjoys a strong reputation among college newspapers, and has won several awards from the Journalism Association of Community Colleges (JACC). Not only does Bakersfield have a strong student government of its own, but the college hosts the annual American Student Government Association

Student Enrollment Demographics

Student Graduation Demographics

Athletics

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Alumni

A number of football players in the NFL attended BC, including Vern Burke, Joe Blake, Joe Hernandez, Colby Lewis, George Jones, Brandon Banks, Rocky Rasley, Taj Smith, Jeremy Staat, Mike Waufle, Dick Witcher, and Spain Musgrove. Other notable alumni include Wyoming politician Gordon L. Park, actor Guy Madison, county supervisor Michael J. Rubio, former California State Senator Walter W. Stiern, and Delbert E. Wong, the first Chinese-American judge to take the bench in the mainland U.S.

Bakersfield College