New Bill Allows Texas Community Colleges to Offer Bachelor’s Programs

HOUSTON, TX — A new law that makes it possible to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing and applied technology from community colleges like San Jacinto College and Lone Star College, is expected to have a significant impact on Houston’s healthcare job force.

It’s a project that that San Jacinto College Chancellor Brenda Hellyer has been working on since 2011, and it’s a milestone she and others are pleased to see come to pass.

"Our region will have a stronger workforce and economy because of this legislation," she told the Houston Chronicle.

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Senate Bill 2118, which passed with little issue this session, allows the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to authorize public junior colleges, or community colleges, to offer bachelor’s degrees in applied science, applied technology and nursing, Community Impact News reported.

Before the legislation was passed, there were only a handful of community colleges in Texas that offered bachelor’s degrees, and the process won’t happen overnight.

In fact, experts think the process could take at least two years to be fully implemented, but that gives college districts, such as San Jacinto College and Lone Star College plenty of time to prepare.

Dr. Stephen Head, Chancellor at Lone Star College, said the college system will begin developing proposals for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) for approval by Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Board of Nursing.

The proposals will include details on the program and course delivery, along with details on existing articulation agreements, dual credit agreements, clinical capacity and faculty recruitment plans.

“This new law will allow Lone Star College to offer our students the opportunity to earn their 4-year degrees in nursing and applied technology here, affordably and close to home,” Head said in a statement.

Along with plan development, there is also growth.

Both college systems are in the midst of an expansion with both districts building on the Generation Park campus near Humble, as well as in other areas within their respective districts.

The San Jacinto College District includes seven school districts: Pasadena, La Porte, Deer Park, Clear Creek, Channelview, Humble and Sheldon ISD.

The Lone Star College District serves nine area school districts in the Houston area, with those being Spring ISD, Tomball ISD, Aldine ISD, Klein ISD, Montgomery ISD, Conroe ISD, Magnolia ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, Humble ISD.

Learn more about Senate Bill 2118 here.

Image: Shutterstock

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