Hancock Receives Provisional Approval to Offer Bachelor's Degree

OCTOBER 16, 2024-- Allan Hancock College reached a historic milestone with the provisional approval from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for its Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Applied Professional Studies. Provisional approval means the program has cleared key initial requirements and is one step closer to being finalized.

This milestone represents a significant achievement in the college’s ongoing commitment to providing affordable and accessible higher education to Central Coast students. Hancock could begin offering the four-year degree to students as early as the fall of 2026 if final approval is granted. 

“The provisional approval of our bachelor’s degree marks a defining moment for our college and the region,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “This program will give our students access to high-quality, affordable education, helping them secure meaningful careers in industries critical to the Central Coast. We are proud to continue expanding opportunities for our community.”

In addition to offering local access, the program provides a highly affordable pathway to a bachelor’s degree. Students at Allan Hancock College will pay just $46 per unit for the first two years and $130 per unit for the final two years, bringing the total cost of the four-year degree to $10,560. For Hancock Promise-eligible students, the first two years’ unit fees will be waived, reducing the total cost to just $7,800. This affordability helps students achieve their academic and career goals while keeping student debt to a minimum.

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Professional Studies is an applied career technical education degree program that prepares students for professional roles in industries as diverse as agriculture, manufacturing, professional services, space/launch enterprises, and health care. Graduates who earn the degree will be well-prepared to step into entry-level professional positions, which will help support and grow local businesses by offering a highly skilled workforce that is more likely to remain in the community.

“We’re excited that Allan Hancock College has cleared the first hurdle,” said Michael Boyer, chief executive officer of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce. “This program is perfectly tailored to meet the needs of businesses, workers, and students in our community.”

Access to a four-year degree within the college’s service area would also expand opportunities and educational equity for Hancock students, according to Hancock Board of Trustees Vice-President Hilda Zacarías.

“This bachelor’s degree program is a game-changer for Northern Santa Barbara County students, many of whom are first-generation college students and face significant barriers to higher education, such as the high cost of university tuition and the need to travel long distances to four-year institutions,” said Zacarías. “By offering this degree locally, Hancock is giving our students a real chance to achieve their academic and career goals without leaving the community they call home.”

Hancock applied for approval of the bachelor’s degree program in January 2024. The proposal garnered vocal support from Central Coast businesses, community organizations, and elected officials. Organizations standing with the college include the Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County boards of supervisors, as well as the cities of Santa Maria, Buellton, Solvang and Pismo Beach. The Santa Maria Bonita School District, Santa Maria Joint-Union High School District, the Santa Barbara County Office of Education and 37th District State Assemblyman Gregg Hart also voiced their formal support of bringing bachelor's degrees to Hancock.

“It’s been a long road to reach this point, so we are very proud to see the bachelor’s degree move forward,” said Hancock Board of Trustees President Greg Pensa. “We owe a great debt of thanks to all of the faculty, staff and administrators who are working tirelessly to make this degree program a reality for our students.” 

Now that the degree program has been provisionally approved, the application will enter the intersegmental consultation phase, where further collaboration and feedback will be offered from key stakeholders, including UC and CSU universities, before the final approval can be granted by California Community Colleges Board of Governors. Stakeholders from the UC and CSU systems can still object to the degree proposal, but the college hopes to get final approval for the program by March 2025. 

“We’re excited that the Chancellor's Office recognizes the importance of this program, and we are confident that further collaboration with our UC and CSU partners will make this opportunity a reality for our students by 2026,” said Dr. Walthers.

To learn more about Hancock’s bachelor’s degree program proposal, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/unitedcc.