Getting Started

To be eligible for consideration to participate in the statewide baccalaureate degree program in California Community Colleges, the district must meet certain criteria. Here is a brief overview of the eligibility requirements:

1. Board of Governors Fee Waiver: The district must have a written policy that requires potential students applying for a Board of Governors Fee Waiver to submit either a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a California Dream Act application. This requirement ensures that students seeking financial assistance complete the appropriate application.

2. Identification of Unmet Workforce Needs: The district must identify and document unmet workforce needs in the subject area of the baccalaureate degree program it intends to offer. The district should offer the baccalaureate degree at a campus located in a community or region with such unmet workforce needs. This requirement ensures that the program aligns with the local community's demand for skilled professionals.

3. Avoidance of Program Duplication: The baccalaureate degree program offered by the district should not duplicate programs or curricula already available at California State University or the University of California. This ensures that the program is distinct and complements existing educational offerings.

4. Adequate Expertise, Resources, and Student Interest: The district must demonstrate that it possesses the necessary expertise, resources, and student interest to provide a high-quality baccalaureate degree in the chosen field of study. This requirement ensures that the district has the capacity to deliver a rigorous and valuable program.

In addition to these eligibility requirements, the district is required to maintain separate records for students enrolled in the lower division and upper division courses of the baccalaureate degree program. Students are reported as community college students for lower division courses and as baccalaureate degree program students for upper division courses.

This section of the manual is designed to assist colleges in evaluating the proposed program's eligibility, funding plan, institutional capacity, and program development. It provides checklists, resources, and a decision tree to guide the college through the evaluation process. Here's a brief overview of the components covered in this section: eligibility criteria and workforce need; funding plan; institutional capacity; and program development.

Eligibility Criteria and Workforce Need:
Use this checklist to ensure that the proposed program meets the eligibility criteria. This includes requirements such as identifying unmet workforce needs, avoiding CSU/UC program duplication, and demonstrating the college has an existing associate degree in the program of study. See the tools, resources, and the CCCCO application approval process and for more guidance and information.

• The proposed degree is not duplicated at a UC or CSU

• Letters of Support

• Evidence of Collaboration

• Curriculum Duplication Analysis

📘 Resources

• ASSIST
  ASSIST is the official course transfer and articulation system for California’s public colleges and universities. Use ASSIST to analyze lower division curriculum

• California State University

  • CSU Master Plan

  • Search Academic Plans by Major

• University of California

  • Check majors

• AICCU

  • WASC Senior College and University Commission Program Directory

• Centers of Excellence CSU and UC Program Finder Tool Instructions

• Centers of Excellence CSU and UC Program Finder Tool

• The college currently has an associate degree in the subject area of the proposed degree

• TOP Code

• CIP Code

• 5 years of enrollment data/successful completion

• Documentation of unmet workforce needs

• Proposed Baccalaureate Degree Codes: TOP Codes, CIP Codes, SOC Codes

• Letters of Support

• Evidence employers are having difficulty filling positions (baccalaureate degree necessary)

• Evidence employers will pay students with a bachelor’s degree higher wages

• Job Announcements

• LMI Data (Regional and Statewide)

https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/06073

• Evidence program meets industry standards; provides knowledge and skills for occupations that pay a high wage (LMI workforce data)
• Evidence program will provide equity
• Evidence of sufficient demand/student interest (student surveys)
• Evidence of necessity for a 4-year degree in the proposed degree program
• Evidence employers will hire students
• Letters of support from industry workforce partners

Assessing institutional capacity is crucial to ensure that the college has the necessary resources, infrastructure, and expertise to deliver a high-quality program. This checklist may be used to help colleges evaluate the institutional capacity and identify any areas that may require additional attention or development.

• Program capacity—Student Interest and Enrollment Projections
• Program facilities and equipment
• Required internship and/or directed clinical practice
• Accreditation and compliance (ACCJC and any external accreditation or licensure requirements)
• Estimated costs to students
• Estimated Revenue
• Funding Plan

Colleges need to develop a sustainable funding plan to support the implementation and ongoing operation of the proposed program. Use this checklist to determine the resources needed and guidance to help the college assess the financial feasibility of the program and develop a sound funding strategy.

• Support faculty development baccalaureate degree application and curriculum
• Support development ACCJC Substantive Change
• Accreditation fees (ACCJC and external accreditation)

• ACCJC $1,500 application fee

• Faculty

• FTEF (1 cohort, 2 cohorts, upper division GE)

• Program Director (if applicable)

• Administrative Support
• Counseling
• Tutoring
• Library Services (books, databases, manuals, etc)
• Clubs and Club Advisors
• Professional Memberships
• Professional Development
• Marketing
• Classified Professional (applications, acceptance, admissions, graduation, transcripts)
• DSPS
• Graduation Ceremonies
• Diplomas
• Mental Health Support Services  
• Articulation
• Marketing
• Research and Reporting
• Possible Funding Sources

• Upper Division Tuition

• Regional Consortium

• Strong Workforce Partnership

• Perkins

📘 Resources:

Budget Calculation Tool

This can be used to guide the college through the program development process. See the program development section for a comprehensive description of the California community college baccalaureate degree program requirements.

• Proposed upper division coursework and recommended sequence (40 upper division semester units (60 quarter units)/including 9-semester units (12 quarter units) upper-division general education)
• Program Sequence
• Program alignment with industry standards
• Faculty commitment/minimum qualifications

Baccalaureate Degree Decision Tree

Centers of Excellence CSU and UC Program Finder Tool Instructions

Centers of Excellence CSU and UC Program Finder Tool

Getting Started Checklist