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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Seventh Legislature, First Regular Session
community colleges; baccalaureate degrees; reports
Purpose
Requires each community college district (CCD) that offers baccalaureate degree programs to include the projected enrollment for each baccalaureate degree program in the CCD's annual report. Requires the total number of students pursuing a baccalaureate degree and the total number of completed baccalaureate degrees to be disaggregated by baccalaureate degree program in a CCD's annual report.
Background
An Arizona community college may offer four-year baccalaureate degree programs that are accredited by a regional accreditation agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education, subject to prescribed requirements. Statute limits the number of baccalaureate degree programs a community college in a county with a population of 750,000 persons or more may offer at: 1) 5 percent of the total number of degree and certification offerings, for the first four years baccalaureate programs are offered; and 2) 10 percent of the total number of degree and certification offerings, in the fifth and subsequent years baccalaureate programs are offered.
Each CCD must submit an annual report to the Governor, the Senate
President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Joint Legislative
Budget Committee by December 1 that includes specified information relating to
the CCD, including: 1) the courses of study included in the curricula; 2) the
number of professors and staff employed; 3) the number of students registered
and attending classes; 4) the number of full-time equivalent students enrolled
during the year; and 5) a general description of tuition and fees charged for
credit and noncredit courses. If a CCD offers baccalaureate degree programs,
the CCD must include, in the annual report: 1) the total number of students
pursuing a baccalaureate degree program; 2) the total number of baccalaureate
degrees completed; 3) workforce data showing demand for the baccalaureate
degree programs; and 4) the average cost of tuition per credit hour for the
baccalaureate degree programs (A.R.S.
ยงยง 15-1427 and 15-1444.01).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Adds, to the information that a CCD that offers baccalaureate degree programs must include in the CCD's annual report, the projected enrollment for each baccalaureate degree program.
2. Specifies that the total number of students pursuing a baccalaureate degree and total number of completed baccalaureate degrees must be disaggregated by baccalaureate degree program in a CCD's annual report.
3. Makes conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 9, 2025
MH/KK/ci