BCC gets approval to offer 4-year degree

Bellevue Community College has received the initial go-ahead to begin offering bachelor's-degree programs in radiation and imaging sciences.

BCC and three other community colleges gained preliminary approval yesterday from the state Board for Community and Technical Colleges to offer four-year degree programs.

The programs were created in response to 2005 state legislation approving development of four pilot-degree programs to focus on high-demand fields at community and technical colleges.

The state board also gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a bachelor of science in nursing program at Olympic College in Bremerton, a bachelor of applied-science-management program at Peninsula College in Port Angeles, and a bachelor of applied science in hospitality-management-program at South Seattle Community College.

The intent is to give more students access to four-year degrees, specifically in programs like BCC's that are not offered elsewhere in the state.

"Our state is not producing enough four-year-degree holders because people don't have access to a degree in their communities," BCC President Jean Floten said. "When people go out of state, evidence shows it is more likely they will not come back. We are losing people who wanted career advancement enough to leave their jobs, and that is not good for the state."

The state Higher Education Coordinating Board and the college's accrediting agency, the Northwest Association of Colleges and Universities, have not yet given final approval to the plan.

If it's approved, administrators would begin offering informational sessions for prospective students this fall and would begin program enrollment in September 2007.

The bachelor of science degree program at BCC, in radiation and imaging sciences, would be the first in Washington and one of few in the nation. The program was designed for working professionals, who could complete the degree as part-time students. The classes would be conducted primarily in evenings and on weekends and would be available via the Internet and interactive television at four sites statewide.

The primary emphasis is on filling management and supervisory positions in radiology or imaging departments, said Dr. Paula Boyum, vice president for work-force development at BCC.

The school plans to enroll approximately 50 part-time students a year and to graduate approximately 20 a year, Boyum said.

Kayla Webley: 206-464-2391