Lone Star College to Offer Bachelor’s Degrees

Thanks to recent legislation removing many restrictions on community colleges in offering bachelor’s degrees, the list of new baccalaureate offerings keeps growing. The latest is Lone Star College, as reported by the ABC affiliate in Houston.

The school announced during a board of trustees meeting recently that it has received approval from the Coordinating Board to offer a bachelor’s of science degree in nursing and a bachelor’s of science degree in energy, manufacturing and trades management. The school is also on track to offer a bachelor’s degree in its cybersecurity program, “putting Lone Star College among a small group of community colleges to offer such degrees,” according to the report.

Approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is pending.

The programs will be tailored to adult learners to fit their work schedules. Around the state the pattern seems to conform to highly specialized offerings in narrow fields. Nursing, therefore, is interesting, since TWU also offers bachelor’s degrees in nursing in Houston. Universities reportedly have been wary of nearby community colleges offering such degrees, but it’s likely that robust population growth in the Houston area will reduce the threat of competition for nursing students. LSC is also located in the northern tier of the metropolitan Houston area—a long commute to the medical center, where TWU sits.

Plus, the current shortage of trained nurses generally may reduce the need for concern.

From the piece:

“All three bachelor degree programs are designed to accommodate the working adult student. Traditional age students will be well served through the programs, but adult students who have completed an associate degree, been in the workforce, and are seeking professional advancement that requires a bachelor’s will have scheduling and support tailored to their needs,” Valerie Jones, LSC associate vice chancellor of academic affairs, said.

The programs will run on an 8-week schedule, often at night, to allow students to focus on only two classes at a time.