Fifteen community colleges in California to offer four-year degrees

Fifteen California community colleges should be able to offer four-year degrees starting as soon as next year, state officials announced Tuesday.

Officials with California's community college system gave initial approval to the campuses after 36 schools and districts said they would apply for a chance to offer baccalaureate degrees. Nearly 20 other states allow community colleges to offer four-year degrees.

California community college officials will give final approval to the two-year schools in the spring. The campuses cannot teach four-year programs that already are being offered at other nearby state schools, and they also cannot provide four-year nursing degrees.

The new degree programs will be regularly evaluated by state officials and are scheduled to end by July 2023, although lawmakers could renew the program.

The campuses and programs approved Tuesday are:

Antelope Valley College -- airframe manufacturing technology

Bakersfield College -- industrial automation

Crafton Hills College -- emergency services and allied health systems

Cypress College -- mortuary science

Feather River College -- equine industry

Foothill College -- dental hygiene

MiraCosta College -- biomanufacturing

Modesto Junior College --respiratory care

Rio Hondo College -- automotive technology

San Diego Mesa College -- health information management

Santa Ana College -- occupational studies

Santa Monica College -- interaction design

Shasta College -- health information management

Skyline College -- respiratory therapy

West Los Angeles College -- dental hygiene

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