News
July 27, 2006
Contact: Suzy Ames, Director of Communications, SBCTC, 360-704-4310
Community colleges receive green light to pursue four-year degrees
OLYMPIA – At its meeting today, the Higher Education Coordinating Board voted to approve four community colleges offering applied bachelor’s degrees. Starting next fall, the colleges will be able to offer people in their communities the opportunity to earn a four-year degree where they live and work.
“This is a significant time for our system as we successfully develop innovative ways to increase access to higher education in Washington state,” said State Board for Community and Technical Colleges Executive Director Charlie Earl. “Our colleges deserve credit for taking on this ground-breaking effort.”
The Legislature granted authority and provided funding for the community and technical college system to offer four applied bachelor’s degree. This spring, six colleges submitted proposals to the State Board for consideration. The colleges selected to offer applied bachelor’s degrees are:
- Bellevue Community College – Bachelor’s of Applied Science Radiology and Imagining Sciences
- Peninsula College – Bachelor’s of Applied Science Management
- Olympic College – Bachelor’s of Science Nursing
- South Seattle Community College – Bachelor’s Applied Science Hospitality Management
The bachelor’s degrees are designed for students with applied associate degrees – degrees that are connected to the workforce. The programs must produce graduates qualified for jobs that are in high demand in their communities.
The colleges will now seek authority from the regional accrediting body, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
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