Community College Bachelor's Degrees- Who Knew?
Here’s a confession. I don’t do well when something sneaks up on me. Recently, a sentence jumped off the page stating that Arizona was the 24th state to allow bachelor’s degrees at their community colleges. Do what? When did THIS start happening? Almost half of the states have such a program? The answer is well, sorta-maybe. The concept is there, but the details are all over the map. Nevertheless, it is noteworthy. So let’s glean what we can because I think it will be a growing phenomenon.
I found a great summary report on this subject for you. Check out this report, Community College Bachelor’s Degrees, by the Education Commission of the States. It is a readable, graphics-enhanced summary of the various state actions in this arena. It will be brand new to those of us not in a state that does this.
In response to largely local educational needs, nearly 1/2 of the states offered specific and limited bachelor degrees through community colleges in their respective states. According to studies done a few years ago, somewhere between 35 & 40 million people live in an education desert. They may be able to attend a local community college but cannot afford to move on to complete their bachelor's degrees. Here are the top three reasons some states are allowing this:
Adapt to and meet local workforce demand. Community Colleges generally adapt quickly to local workforce demands, especially in applied sciences, business, and education. I live in a transportation hub- interstate trucking, FedEx hub, airplane design, and construction, as well as repair. Our CC has a top-notch program in avionics which can land a student a great starting job right out of the classroom. And, it is local.
Expand access to Bachelor’s Degrees to a diverse & non-traditional student population. To avoid the student scarcity coming in just a couple of years, colleges of ALL types need to think outside the box. Non-traditional (working, young parents, etc.) students will demand more flexibility. Affordability issues will all play a HUGE role in the next decade, too. 75% of all college students attend a school within 50 miles of where they live right now. How will academia provide affordable educational options to these non-traditional potential students?
Potentially provide more affordable Bachelor’s Degrees. Well, duh. With the cost of CC in our area well under 1/2 of the university system costs, that is a no-brainer. Our friend’s son is graduating with his Associate's Degree one month BEFORE his high school graduation through a dual-enrollment program. And, he is going on to University this fall in his field of choice. He should get out in two more years with his bachelor’s with careful class planning and selection. Now that’s smart planning!
Of course, there are always negative concerns, too.
Expand Community Colleges’ role beyond their traditional mission. So what? Times have changed, jobs have changed. Higher education must change or they will be bankrupt. Millions of jobs are going unfilled due to a lack of certification or training. Maybe you can get your Associates, and over time get your Bachelor’s as your life permits. If you are a young parent and working, you almost cannot stop your life for 4+ years and attend University. You need educational systems to work with your reality. Very soon, academia will need those non-traditional students, too.
Compete with four-year institutions & undermine cross-section partnerships. Here it is. Last year I listened to CC administrators talk on a public television program about public and university disrespect for their programs and educational processes. Yet 75 % of all students attend a college less than 50 miles away from home. Only when the universities have empty seats will they realize they must find creative solutions to the higher education needs of non-traditional students. If they don’t start now, the Community Colleges may well beat them to those paying students.
Increased costs and stretch resources to capacity. It will be costly to be accredited by regional accreditation systems if they have to go it alone. But, what if the nearest University were to partner in building up the program? What if they guided the local CC through it? Why should they partner in this at all? It’s simple. They are going to need each other more in the next ten years than in the previous fifty.
For my readers in North Carolina, don’t hold your breath. The Board of Governors has not shown any interest in looking at this option with the Community College system. They barely tolerate dual-enrollment and the CC-to-University prescribed path we have now. I wonder what the plan is in 2025 as the birth “derth” starts impacting their attendance numbers for the next decade.
24 states out of 50 have authorized a Bachelor’s Degree through their CC system. Is it time for every state to look at this opportunity? I sure hope so. Providing accessibility and affordability to non-traditional students may be the “new” solution to declining higher education enrollment numbers.
While they are at it, what will it take to slash the number of students who never graduate? Almost 40% of those admitted will never graduate with a degree. They will earn the debt, though. It’s hard enough when you have the degree and the loan repayment. It is horrid to pay back loans with no degree to show for it.
If universities start tackling these two issues now, they have a chance of surviving and even thriving, when they begin their desert survival test due to start around 4 years from now. Otherwise, more consolidations, closures, and less access for residents who want to earn a Bachelors's Degree.
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Next week- what to do when your student doesn’t want college- some of you may need this!
Until Next Time,
All My Best,
Bonnie Burkett
