Are you interested in winning
$1,000 and an allexpense
paid trip to
Nevada?
The Community
College Baccalaureate
Association (CCBA)
is currently accepting
essays that address
the topic, “Why
obtaining a four year
degree on my community
college campus
would be important to
me.”
Any student who is currently
enrolled in a community
college is eligible to enter.
The winner will attend the
CCBA’s annual conference in
Reno-Tahoe, Nevada from
March 13-15.
The idea of community colleges
offering baccalaureate
degree programs is becoming
increasingly popular.
Baccalaureate degrees are
currently offered on community
college campuses in 14
states and three Canadian
provinces. The CCBA is conducting
the contest to determine
what students think
about community colleges
offering four-year degrees.
According to its website,
the CCBA’s philosophy
revolves around the idea that,
“The baccalaureate degree is
an important entry requirement
for the better jobs and a
better lifestyle. Therefore,
every person should have an
opportunity to pursue the
b a c –
calaureate
degree at a place that is
convenient, accessible and
affordable.” The option of
obtaining a baccalaureate
degree from community college
is attractive to many students
for numerous reasons.
Community college offers
significantly lower tuition
than most four year schools.
It also allows students to save
on campus housing costs, as
most community college students
commute from home.
Community college also provides
opportunities for all
students to receive an education
by not adhering to strict
admissions requirements.
Community colleges also
offer flexible schedules by
offering classes in the day,
evening or even weekends to
accommodate many students
who work either full- or parttime.
Never having to worry
about credit transfer issues is
another benefit to receiving a
baccalaureate degree from
a community college.
Although most community
college
credits transfer
easily to four-year
schools, it can
often be a hassle,
especially if a student
decides to
change majors.
Many community
c o l l e g e
campuses
that offer baccalaureate
degree
programs have
found success by
teaming up with
four year schools
and using university
centers, 2+2
programs, and
distance learning
to help confer
degrees.
Florida is a leading
state in offering
baccalaureate
degree programs
from many of its
community college
campuses.
According to its
Department of
Education, Florida
is facing a “significant
challenge”
because it is
ranked no. 46 out
of the 50 states in
producing bacc
a l a u r e a t e
degrees.
This ranking has made the
need and benefits of community
college baccalaureate
degree programs clear to
many of Florida’s education
officials. On its website,
Florida’s Department of
Education states,
“Community college partnerships
with state and private
universities provide cost-efficient
options to improved
baccalaureate degree access,
especially to place bound students.”
Although many community
colleges in Pennsylvania offer
dual admissions agreements
with four-year schools, there
is currently no Pennsylvania
community college that confers
baccalaureate degrees
from its campus.
Enter the CCBA’s essay
contest by Feb. 5, 2009. The
winner will be notified no
later than Feb. 10. All of the
essay rules and entry information
can be found online at
accbd.org.