Anticipates first B.A. classes to be ready for student enrollment by the fall of 2023 | First programs will most likely be in Business and Nursing
Yavapai Community College president Dr. Lisa Rhine outlined to the District Governing Board at its February 22 meeting the progress being made toward eventually offering a limited number of Baccalaureate degree programs.
In her report, Dr. Rhine indicated that the College anticipates its first B.A. programs to be fully operational by the fall of 2023. The areas appearing to meet the twin criteria of need and student interest at the present time are Business and Nursing.
Dr. Rhine observed that there is clearly a need for a B.A. program in teaching but there is little student interest. She attributed the low interest to the low pay provided Arizona teachers. With such low interest, the Community College is hesitant to move into that field.
Maricopa College will also begin offering a number of B.A. programs in the fall of 2023. Dr. Rhine said that because its administrative colleges are individually accredited, Maricopa will be able to offer more B.A. programs of study than Yavapai.
The great competitive advantage that Yavapai will hold in this area is low cost. It is anticipated that a Yavapai Community College B.A. degree, when compared to a similar degree at another College or University, will cost much less while the quality will be comparable.
The video clip below from the Governing Board February 22 meeting has Dr. Rhine explaining the process of the development of the program in the first six minutes. The remaining eight minutes contains the Governing Board discussion with Dr. Rhine about the development of the program.