Community colleges in 22 states have been authorized to confer bachelor’s degrees. In Florida, for example, community colleges have granted more than 30,000 four-year degrees in just five years. This growing national trend has its critics. Such opponents – usually from four-year public universities – say that it represents mission creep on the part of community colleges seeking greater prestige. They argue that it creates unnecessary competition for universities and that quality concerns still need to be addressed. Related legislation in Colorado and Michigan reflects the sway of the four-year university systems: community colleges are allowed to offer degrees, but only in specific, pre-approved fields like culinary arts and dental hygiene.

Proponents, however, argue that community colleges’ expanded mission helps students enter high-demand fields without the burden of four-year university tuition rates. They claim that it’s a common sense way to save taxpayer dollars. In today’s Pope Center feature, Harry Painter discusses a recent legislative request made by four North Carolina community college presidents. The presidents want the N.C. General Assembly to explore the possibility of allowing community colleges to grant “applied baccalaureate degrees” – degrees tied to the specific needs of regional employers – in fields such as paralegal studies, fire science, and digital media.

Cases from other states indicate that if North Carolina eventually allows community college competition to take place, it will be limited and confined so as to not upset some of the state’s higher education-related special interests; the four college presidents’ narrowly tailored proposal certainly reflects that understanding.