The idea to implement four-year baccalaureate programs at community colleges was first proposed a few years back but was not passed when it went to the state legislature. The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office was prompted to reconsider the idea based on the state’s student and workforce needs, said Jack Beresford, Director of Communications and Public Relations at San Diego Community College District. Additionally they hoped to solve the problem of limited access to California public colleges and universities that resulted from five years of budget cuts, Beresford said.

A state task force is scheduled to issue a report on the idea late this month. The task force, made up of representatives from California community colleges, the CSU and UC, is considering the options for if four- year programs were to be implemented and possibly putting together recommendations for the California State Legislature, Beresford said.

Many of the logistics and details of what the programs would look like, who they would be available to, and what degrees would be offered are still being discussed, Beresford said.

However, they would be similar to some of the programs instituted in the 22 other states that offer four-year programs at community colleges.

Florida is a leading example with 18 community colleges offering various baccalaureate degrees ranging from engineering technology to business management, according to the Community College Baccalaureate Association.

The task force is primarily facing challenges with how these new programs would fit into the California Master Plan, Beresford said.

The California Master Plan for Higher Education was developed in 1960 by the State Board of Education to set up the two year guarantee transfer program between UCs and community colleges.

“We are confident that if 22 other states have resolved these same issues we can,” Beresford said.