YOUR ACADEMIC PLAN
A Preliminary Planning Worksheet for New Freshmen
Bergen Community students all design their own Academic Plan with guidance from faculty and advisors. An Academic Plan canbe focused (like a major), broad or a combination of both. Your Academic Plan is a living, breathing organism that willevolve and adapt to changes over time, just like you. That’s why Bergen Community encourages you to explore many subjects andstay flexible as you decide where to focus your studies. A strong Academic Plan includes study in a variety of subjectareas. Your Academic Plan should build on your past experiences, your hopes for your college education and your goalsfor your life after Bergen Community. This worksheet is a tool to help you begin your academic planning.
STEP 1: What do you want out of college?
List 3 goals you have for college (Don’t worry, this answer is not set in stone. Your goals can be specific or general).
1.
2.
3.
What are your long range goals at this time? Check off one goal below and follow its course of action.
/ Goal / ActionTransfer to a four year university after graduation from BCC / Enroll in an AA or AS program (Choose from list in catalog*)
Graduate from BCC and seek employment (no plans for transfer to a four year university) / Enroll in an AAS program (Choose from list in catalog*)
Enroll in a Health Professions Program / Enroll in AS.PS.GEN, learn requirements for Admissions Process and take appropriate prerequisite courses
Complete a program of 12 to 30 credit hours in a specialized discipline. / Enroll in a One Year Certificate or Certificate of Achievement Program (Choose from list in catalog*)
* Access Bergen’s most current catalog at
* BCC’s curriculum is divided into two types of degrees and certificate programs (Transfer, Career and Certificates). The Programs from A-Z section in the catalog helps you locate programs in your areas of interest. For example, Accounting contains programs in both the AAS and AS programs.
At this time, what academic subjects do you see as the main emphasis of your studies?
What strengths do you have that can help you accomplish your goals?
In what areas do you need to improve or explore in more depth to accomplish your goals?
With your goals, academic interests, strengths and areas for improvement in mind, list the top three program choices thatwill help you balance these priorities. Remember to choose programs appropriate to your interests and beginning in the appropriate semester.
CHOICE #1CHOICE #1
Program Name / Major Areas of Study / How it builds on strengths/improvementCHOICE
#2
CHOICE #2CHOICE #1
Program Name / Major Areas of Study / How it builds on strengths/improvementCHOICE
CHOICE #3CHOICE #1
Program Name / Major Areas of Study / How it builds on strengths/improvementCHOICE
STEP 2: Planning your courses for your program
Students should use the Academic section of the catalog at
Basic Skills Courses:
Review your scores from the Accuplacer Test. Based on your test results, list below the courses you are required to take. Be sure to include them in your Academic Plan every semester until they are completed.
EBS:______
MAT:______
Additional Courses:
- Review your program’s course requirements in the Catalog under the “Academic Programs” section.
- Select courses you’d like to take in addition to your Basic Skills Courses.
- Review the “Course Descriptions” section in the Catalog to be sure you meet the pre-requisites for the additional courses you’ve selected and include them in your Academic Plan.
Meet with a Faculty Advisor or Academic Counselor to review this worksheet.
Register for the courses you select at your assigned registration time. The student who registers on time is more likely to get his/her first choice of courses that fulfill their program requirements and meets the needs of their schedule.
Log on toyour Portal at least three times per week to check all information coming in.
STEP 3: Staying on Track
Calculating your G.P.A.
Your grade point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total amount of quality points earned by the total amount of credit hours attempted. Your grade point average may range from 0.0 to a 4.0. Grades have the following point values:
A = 4.0 B+ = 3.5 B = 3.0 C+ = 2.5 C = 2.0 D = 1.0 E = 0 F = 0
Course / Credit Hours / Grade / Grade PointsBiology
English 101
Mathematics
Psychology / 4
3
3
3 / A
C
F
B / 16
6
0
9
13 Total CreditHours / 31 Total Quality Points
31 divided by 13 = 2.38 gpa
Academic Fair A once a semester event that precedes registration where faculty from designated programs offered provide program details and are available to
meet with students and answer questions.
Job FairA once a semester event where employers visit campus to offer internships, jobs and information about their companies to students and alumni.
College FairA once a semester event where 50 or more colleges and universities visit campus to meet with students and provide information on their college’s programs, entrance requirements, scholarships and admission.
Center for Student SuccessVisit the Center for Student Success at any time throughout the year if you need academic counseling, transfer counseling, or career counseling.
Cerullo Learning Assistance Center The CLAC offers you one-on-one appointments, drop in assistance, study groups, workshops, in-class tutoring, supplemental instruction, online tutoring, conversation groups. They also have separate centers for Writing and for Math and Science. All of these services are FREE because they are built in to your tuition and fees.
STEP 4: Gain experience in your program and your interests
Cooperative Education: Apply your classroom learning to “real life” work experience. Work in a professional environment related to your major and career goals while you earn academic credit.
Service Learning: Become involved in your community through service. Work with your professors to relate your academic work to community service.
Online Studies: Take classes from the convenience of home or office. Log in any time of the day and any day of the week to do your class work on your schedule.Online learning is ideal for individuals with children at home, who work full-time, or may want to take a course that isnot offered at a time they can attend.
Study Abroad: Study abroad can be incorporated into your Academic Plan through programs, exchanges and individual study. Study abroad requires advanced planning and Academic Advising assistance.
Student Life: Students are encouraged to join any of the 50+ clubs and organizations and participate in the many programs offered by the Office of Student Life.