Should California Do More to Expand Community College Bachelor’s Degrees?
California students who can’t easily access a four-year university but want to earn a bachelor’s degree now have the option to get one at community college.
Across the state, dozens of community colleges offer four-year degrees that train students to fill workforce needs in fields such as biomanufacturing, cyberdefense and respiratory care.
However, those campuses are limited in they can offer.
State law prohibits them from creating degrees that duplicate what’s offered at the University of California and California State University systems.
Two bills currently being considered by the state Legislature would make it much easier for community college to create new degrees by limiting when CSU and UC can claim duplication.
This live EdSource roundtable will feature college administrators, students and experts, who will explore:
- Why community college officials say expanding bachelor’s degrees is important for placebound students and local communities
- What could change for colleges and their students if the pending legislation passes
- Why CSU says the state should prioritize expanding transfer pathways rather than expanding community college bachelor’s degrees
Speakers:
- Cecilia Rios-Aguilar | Chair, Department of Education and Professor, School of Education & Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles; Faculty Director, Policy Analysis for California Educaiton (PACE)
- Mark Sanchez | Superintendent/President, Southwestern College, Chula Vista
- Rudy Garcia | Student, Moorpark College, Ventura County
Panel Moderators:
- Michael Burke | Reporter, EdSource
- Michelle Quinn | Executive Editor, EdSource
More speakers to be announced soon.
NOTE: If unable to attend the roundtable, you can still register and EdSource will send you the recording the following day.