CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College

Academics

BMCC offers associate in applied science degrees in accounting, business management, computer operations, computer programming, health information technology, multimedia programming and design, nursing, office automation, office operations, paramedic, respiratory therapy, small business and entrepreneurship, and video arts and technology. Associate in science degrees are offered in child care and early childhood education, computer science, engineering science, human services, mathematics, science, and theatre. In addition, the college offers associate in arts degrees in bilingual childhood education, business administration, childhood education, liberal arts, and writing and literature. The chess team competes nationally.

86% of students transfer to a four-year college. Students can transfer from many of the programs, but many students who know for certain that they plan to transfer choose to study in the Liberal Arts department, then select a major at their transfer school. While in the Liberal Arts program, students study English composition, mathematics, statistics, a foreign language of their choice, science, social science, and either music or art. Students in this program may take up to fourteen hours of electives as well, with some limitations. The top five colleges that students transfer to are Baruch, Hunter, New York University, State University of New York, and Vassar.

Distance Learning

There are three different types of e-learning opportunities: online, hybrid, and web-enhanced. Online classes are mostly or completely delivered via internet. Some classes require meetings on campus for orientations or exams. Hybrid classes are split between online instruction and in-person instruction. In hybrid classes, between 33% and 67% of the class takes place online. In web-enhanced classes students meet on-campus for sessions, while making use of the internet for instructional enrichment. Students who wish to register for e-learning classes must first complete a readiness assessment self-check and, if they have never used the Blackboard program before, attend a Blackboard orientation. Students should expect online classes to take 9-12 hours a week of their time. Attendance is measured by participation in class discussions online and by completion of assigned work by the due dates. Absences will not be excused due to computer problems—students are expected to use one of the computer terminals available at the campus if they are not able complete their work at home.

Over 10,000 students take advantage of the opportunity to take classes online. Students interested in distance learning should have access to a computer at least four days a week, access to the internet, a recent internet browser and Microsoft word 2000 or higher. Students can take online classes in topics as varied as Product and Service Creation, Foundations of Black Psychology, Children’s Literature, and Critical Thinking.

Library Resources

The A. Phillip Randolph Memorial Library offers research help, citation help, laptop lending, scanning, and other informational services to students. Students can ask librarians for help (or enter the ongoing haiku contest) through the library website 24 hours a day.

Academic Assistance

In keeping with the school’s mission to provide educational services to anyone who desires it, there are several offices that provide specialized assistance to a diversity of students.

The Center for Career Development offers assistance in selecting a career, writing or improving resumes, locating employment, and preparing for interviews.

The Cooperative Education Department provides internships for students in all departments, but especially for those which require internships as part of the degree program, including accounting, business management, video arts and technology, multimedia programming and design, and office automation/office operations.

The Office of Accessibility provides a wide range of services to students with disabilities, in keeping with the college’s mandate to provide higher education to anyone in their catchment area who desires it. Available services include voice recognition systems that allow students to write by talking; screen readers that read text out loud from computer screens; screen enlargers for students with low vision; Braille translation software to allow blind students to use print materials; the Kurzweil Omni 3000 Reading System which highlights text as students read it and gives them access to other assistive programs; and Inspiration, a software program that helps students with learning disabilities organize ideas for papers and essays.

The College Computing Center provides hardware support, networking services, and other technical assistance to students.

College Now is a concurrent program for high school students who would like to begin earning college credit.

College Discovery is a program targeting students who wish to enroll in college but face financial or educational barriers.