The guidelines are meant to help two-year institutions provide physics students with the best possible education in the fundamental areas of physics and its relation to other disciplines and to society. General curricular guidelines, rather than specific curricular content, are defined. Implementing these guidelines can help ensure that the physics course offerings and programs of an institution: (1) are consistent with the mission of the institution; (2) meet the needs of entering students with diverse backgrounds and abilities; (3) utilize and enhance the strengths of the institution and the community; (4) articulate with the physics programs at those four-year colleges to which most students transfer; (5) are comparable to programs of recognized quality; (6) meet local industries' needs for technical personnel; (7) augment the continuing education and other local community physics education needs; (8) maximize the learning of physics in the classroom; and (9) improve the appreciation of physics by students and within the surrounding community. The guidelines include considerations for starting a program assessment, curriculum, laboratory, budget, teaching facilities and distance learning. The guidelines have been prepared to serve as a guide for institutional self-studies and program reviews; a resource for regional accrediting groups when revising self-study guidelines and conducting visitations for assessment of programs; and a guide to assist two-year college presidents, deans, and physics professors in developing reasonable standards to assure quality physics instruction in two-year college physics departments. Two appendices are included: (1) A Brief History of the Two-Year College in America; and (2) Comprehensive Mission of the Community College. (Contains 3 footnotes and 1 table.)