<p>" Community-college baccalaureates challenge the educational hierarchys boundaries between the research mission of universities, the teaching mission of colleges and open admissions for community colleges.</p>
<p>Many people in leadership believe thats the right division of labor, said Carol Geary Schneider, president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. So like any fundamental change, the blurring of the lines is uncomfortable.</p>
<p>This trend promises to add another layer of pressure on traditional colleges and universities, especially if from a cost perspective. But will these colleges be viewed as attractive by enough students? Or will this new trend be a niche trend catering to the "working part-time student"?</p>
<p>I know many middle to lower income kids who go to CC to save money - full time students with a part time job. After graduating, many transfer to another local 4 year public or private with articulation agreements, again saving themselves thousands. For the kids that are there for the education that college provides them, not the experience of dorm life (although our CC has that too), it would fill a niche and help them meet their debt objectives. How employers will view the BS from a CC might be another story!</p>
<p>I think it’s a great option for kids who want to live at home while getting their degree. My son would jump at the chance (he is already going to CC next fall with the intention of transfering). My daughter wouldn’t have considered it since her primary goal was getting out on her own and away from home. I can imagine all kinds of people taking advantage of this option. There are countless employers who couldn’t care less where the degree was from.</p>
<p>It would certainly be great for older students–single moms whose “ECs” are raising a family, adults who want to educate themselves after being laid off, etc.</p>
<p>In Maryland, some community colleges are partnering with existing four-year colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees without having to commute to the main campus. Colleges and universities even offer classes at other sites so people can complete a degree without travelling to campus.</p>
<p>Bellevue Community College in Washington, which was one of the largest community colleges in the nation, is now Bellevue College, and is now offering its own four-year degrees.</p>
<p>I hope it does not interfere with so many CC who specialize in vocational training. This is such short supply in the county to lose it so they can focus on a 4 year degree would be tragic.</p>
<p>However all I have seen in my area are Universities offering a 4 year degree through a CC location. That makes sense to me. Too much duplication is a bad thing frankly.</p>