 |
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, Second Regular Session
baccalaureate degrees; community colleges
Purpose
Allows a community college district governing board (community college board) to offer four-year baccalaureate degree programs rather than two-year postsecondary education programs.
Background
A community college is an educational institution that is operated by a district board and provides a program not exceeding two years' training in the arts, sciences and humanities beyond grade twelve of the public or private high school course of study or vocational education, including terminal courses of a technical and vocational nature and basic adult education courses (A.R.S. § 15-1401).
Admission to community colleges may be granted to any person who: 1) is a high school graduate; 2) has a high school certificate of equivalency; 3) is at least 18 years-old and demonstrates evidence of potential success in the community college; 4) is a transfer student in good standing from another college or university; or 5) is under 18 years-old but meets minimum course prerequisite requirements (A.R.S. § 15-1805.01).
Currently, state universities offer four-year baccalaureate degree programs. Admission to these universities includes specific requirements for an applicant to have a minimum grade point average and ACT and/or SAT test scores (Arizona Board of Regents).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Allows a community college board to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees that are accredited by a regional accreditation agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education.
2. Increases, from two years to not more than four years, the length of a community college program.
3. Specifies a provisional community college district is a community college district that began operations before January 1, 2015.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
ED 2/17/20 DP 7-3-1-2
3rd Read 2/27/20 42-18-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 6, 2020
JO/MB/gs