Degree Programs

Programs of Study

For program descriptions and required courses, view the PDF
and refer to the corresponding page number(s) listed below.

Accounting	PDF page 1
Accounting and Management	PDF page 2
Administrative Professional	PDF page 3
Advertising Design	PDF page 5
Architectural and Building Construction Technology	PDF page 7
Architecture	PDF page 8
Automotive Technology	PDF page 9
Aviation Customer Relations  [website]	PDF page 10
Aviation Flight Technology  [website]	PDF page 11
Aviation Management  [website]	PDF page 13
Banking and Financial Services	PDF page 14
Biology	PDF page 15
Biology - Pre-Medicine, Pre-Veterinarian, Pre-Dentistry	PDF page 16
Business Administration	PDF page 17
Business Software Applications	PDF page 18
Chef Apprenticeship  [website]	PDF page 20
Chemistry	PDF page 21
Civil Engineering Technology	PDF page 22
Communication	PDF page 23
Communication: Speech and Theatre	PDF page 24
Computer Science	PDF page 26
Criminal Justice - Corrections  [website]	PDF page 27
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement  [website]	PDF page 28
Culinology  [website]	PDF page 29
Dance	PDF page 30
Digital Media Arts	PDF pages 32-33
Education	PDF page 34
Education / Special Education Assistant	PDF page 35
Electronics Engineering Technology	PDF page 36
Energy Utility Technology  [website]	PDF page 38
Entertainment Technology	PDF pages 40-41
Exercise Science	PDF page 42
Fire Science Technology	PDF page 43
Funeral Service  [website]	PDF page 45
Funeral Service Preparatory  [website]	PDF page 47
Health Science	PDF page 48
Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning*	PDF page 49
Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management  [website]	PDF page 51
Illustration	PDF page 52
Information Systems  [website]	PDF page 53
Information Technology  [website]	PDF page 54
Laboratory Technology	PDF page 62
Liberal Arts	PDF pages 63-66
Management	PDF page 67
Marketing	PDF page 68
Mathematics  [website]	PDF page 69
Medical Laboratory Technology	PDF page 70
Microcomputer Systems Administration	PDF page 73
Music	PDF page 74
Nursing  [website]	PDF pages 75-76
Nursing (Cooperative Programs)	PDF page 77
Ornamental Horticulture  [website]	PDF pages 78-79
Paralegal	PDF page 80
Physical Therapist Assistant  [website]	PDF page 84
Plant Science  [website]	PDF page 85
Radio	PDF page 88
Radiography  [website]	PDF page 89
Respiratory Therapy**	PDF page 90
Social Service	PDF page 94
Technical Studies	PDF page 95
Television	PDF page 96
Theatre	PDF page 97
Visual Arts	PDF pages 100-101
*offered jointly with Mercer County Technical Schools **offered through Brookdale Community College

General Information

The academic programs offered by Mercer County Community College are among the most diversified and comprehensive in the country. Included are transfer programs that prepare students for entry into baccalaureate programs and career programs that prepare students for immediate employment after graduation.

The terms "transfer" or "career" simply describe the primary objective of the program. Many transfer graduates have been successful in gaining employment upon graduation. Many graduates of career programs have been successful in transferring to four-year colleges, with many of their MCCC credits being accepted.

In general, both kinds of degree programs require no more than 66 credits for graduation.

More general information about
faculty educational philosophy
transfer programs
career programs

General Education

Because Mercer is committed to promoting intellectual development, aesthetic appreciation, and cultural awareness, every program of study includes a general education component. This component, addressed through a variety of courses, focuses on reading analytically, communicating ideas clearly, solving problems, and developing a broad base of knowledge. Students are given the opportunity to develop analytical, synthetic/creative, and evaluative thinking; scientific reasoning; artistic response and expression; historical consciousness; cultural awareness; and sensitivity to the contemporary world.

Approved General Education Courses
General Education Policy

Transfer Programs (A.A., A.F.A., A.S.)

Transfer degree (A.A., A.F.A., or A.S.) programs are designed primarily to enable students to enter the third year of baccalaureate study at four-year colleges. The largest student enrollments in transfer degree programs are in humanities and social science, business administration, education, criminal justice, and nursing. Other transfer degree programs range from architecture, communication and visual arts to engineering science and plant science.

For many students, the transfer experience is made easier by "dual admission" and "program articulation" agreements between Mercer and other colleges.

More information about transferring after Mercer

Career Programs (A.A.S.)

Career degree (A.A.S.) programs are designed primarily to prepare graduates for entry-level employment in an occupation which requires both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Mercer has A.A.S. programs as varied as accounting, aviation, chef apprenticeship, electronics, ornamental horticulture, microcomputer systems administration, television, funeral service, and computer graphics.

Two engineering technology programs function both as transfer degree and career degree programs, with slightly more than half of all graduates transferring to four-year technology programs and others finding employment. Many employed students use career programs to gain advanced positions in their chosen field or to change careers. Some other A.A.S. programs also provide a basis for transfer to four-year colleges; a student may lose credits, however, if he or she transfers to an unrelated program of study.

Other Non-Degree Choices

Many students enroll at Mercer for purposes other than earning a degree or certificate. The college offers four enrollment categories for such students:

• Other college -- Students take courses at Mercer to fulfill program requirements at another college.
• Job Related -- Students take courses specifically selected to enhance knowledge and skills for current or future employment.
• Exploratory -- Students are undecided about which degree or certificate program they intend to pursue. They may take courses from several program areas to help them select.
• Personal -- Students take courses for other reasons. Advisors at each campus help non-degree students select courses.

Special Program:
English as a Second Language (ESL)

Mercer offers a comprehensive program for students who are learning English as a second language. The multilevel sequence consists of two pre-credit and eight credit courses that emphasize grammar, speech, reading and writing skills. The free ESL placement test, arranged through the ESL Learning Center, should be completed at least two weeks before registration for classes.

The noncredit preparatory courses are offered through the English Language Institute (ELI) at the James Kerney and West Windsor campuses. Contact ELI at the James Kerney Campus or the ESL Learning Center at the West Windsor Campus for further information.

More information about ESL programs
ESL course descriptions
suggested course sequence

Special Program:
LPN-RN Advanced Placement

The LPN-RN Advanced Placement option offers licensed practical nurses the opportunity to review content, demonstrate competency, and receive credit for Nursing I and Nursing II. Applicants must possess a high school diploma (or equivalent) and a valid LPN license. Upon successful completion of the advanced placement sequence, LPNs receive 15 credits and placement into Nursing III of the college's associate degree program.

See additional program details.

Special Program:
Cooperative Education

Cooperative education integrates textbook and classroom learning with work experience. Several academic programs offer cooperative education components. The program affords many advantages to students who are able to earn an income while attending college and earn college credits for their cooperative education experiences. In addition, many graduates find employment easier to obtain if they have had prior work experiences.

A successful co-op experience requires careful delineation of learning objectives and employer willingness to support them. The college assists students in defining objectives and obtaining co-op positions.