Verde Valley News – Yavapai College is endeavoring to change the traditional dynamics of higher education with a new Optimized 92-credit Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Degree, designed to be completed within three years.
Traditionally, baccalaureate degrees have a standard minimum of 120 credits or more. Recently, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the largest accrediting body in the country, approved reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees, and this provides Yavapai College with the opportunity to create optimized bachelor’s degrees that are more affordable and reduce the completion time for students.
This new opportunity will allow students to complete a degree in three years rather than four.
Working hard behind the scenes, Yavapai College has positioned itself to be the first community college in the country to offer a reduced credit baccalaureate degree.
The College has undergone its curriculum process, and the Yavapai College District Governing Board unanimously approved the degree at its October meeting.
The degree must go through the HLC approval process, and if all goes well, it will launch for the fall 2025 semester.
“Yavapai College has set a standard of implementing initiatives, executing strategies, and breaking down barriers that our students and communities are faced with so that we can provide them with the most accessible, affordable educational opportunities possible,” said Dr. Lisa B. Rhine, President of Yavapai College. “This new opportunity to create more affordable bachelor’s degrees while reducing the time to completion will be a game-changer for students. It will allow them to get educated, get their degree, walk across the graduation stage, and impact the workforce a full year sooner than before.”
Yavapai College has been a pioneer amongst community colleges in Arizona when it comes to baccalaureate degree programs. YC became the first rural community college in Arizona to offer a baccalaureate degree when it launched its Bachelor of Science in Business program in Fall 2023. Since then, YC has also added a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and plans for future baccalaureate degrees.
In addition to cost and time savings, the optimized 92-credit degree will:
- Align with industry and employers who are emphasizing skills and experience over credit hours
- Appeal to working adults or learners who want to enter the workforce quicker
- Be beneficial to industries with rapid change
- Align with global trends, three-year bachelor’s degrees are already the norm in Europe and other countries
YC’s existing 120 Bachelor of Science in Business Degree is built for breadth of knowledge for a well-rounded learning experience. The Optimized 92-credit Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Degree is built for depth and application for a more direct learning experience. The college believes that both degrees can stand alone, and each will have strong interest from students.
More information will be announced as the college works with HLC through the accreditation process.
*The degree is pending accreditation approval from the Higher Learning Commission, and the college is not accepting applications or enrolling students at this time.
For more information about Yavapai College, registering for classes for the spring semester, or discounts and scholarship resources, visit www.yc.edu/register or call (928) 717-7777.
Yavapai College operates seven locations throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, two baccalaureate degrees, student and community services, and cultural events and activities.
To learn more about YC, visit www.yc.edu.
For more information on the Yavapai College District Governing Board, visit www.yc.edu/dgb.
