Recommendations

Several recommendations for future baccalaureate programs emerged from our research. Here are guiding principles for states interested in bringing baccalaureate programs to their communities, thereby offering more students an accessible, affordable way to earn a bachelor’s degree:

• Frame four-year programs at community colleges as those with local labor market value.
• Identify the state entity tasked with reviewing and approving baccalaureate program proposals.
• Consider including supplementary resources to launch community college baccalaureate programs and creating tuition policy that reflects the cost of operating such programs.

• Open lines of communication between colleges and universities about proposed programs.
• Clarify acceptable means of demonstrating student and labor market demand for degrees.
• Align the state program approval process with the regional accreditation process.
• Create standards and processes for closing programs no longer meeting their intended purpose.

• Help community college baccalaureate degrees align with other reforms like guided pathways, integrated basic skills education, and remedial education reform; this will strengthen degrees and help serve traditionally underserved populations.
• Integrate programs into state transfer policy, including the general education core and transfer pathways.
• Provide labor market outcomes and student achievement data to colleges and relevant policymakers.
• Make students eligible for state financial aid, even if they have already earned an associate degree.