PCC Closer to 4-Year Programs

LAKELAND | Polk Community College moved another step closer to having four-year degrees Thursday when Gov. Charlie Crist signed legislation creating the Florida College System.

PCC President Eileen Holden was among the legislators and educators on hand for the signing ceremony at Okaloosa-Walton Community College in Niceville. PCC is one of nine community colleges in a pilot program to recommend the best procedures for funding, approving new degrees and other aspects of providing four-year programs at traditionally two-year colleges.

Holden, who called The Ledger before heading back to Winter Haven, said she's excited about the opportunities the new law will bring Florida's 28 community colleges. PCC and other community colleges can continue their traditional role of open admissions for high school graduates, while expanding to provide four-year degrees as needed.

"More students in our area will be able to have access to higher education degrees in high demand, high pay careers," Holden said.

"Thanks to Gov. Charlie Crist, State Senator J.D. Alexander and the Florida Legislature, PCC will play a key role in offering expanded educational opportunities to our community. We are excited to be part of this pilot program that will benefit our students."

Tuition costs for four-year programs at community colleges must be lower than at state universities. PCC could offer upper-level courses at about 85 percent of universities' costs because it doesn't have overhead costs for big-ticket items like research programs, Holden said.

Top state universities, in response to state budget cuts, are freezing the size of their freshman classes and limiting the number of transfer students they accept from two-year community colleges. Crist said the Florida College System - for colleges offering four-year degrees but not graduate programs - will make it easier for Florida residents to earn four-year degrees.

PCC's Board of Trustees voted April 28 to find out what four-year degrees students and employers want at PCC.

Preliminary research indicates a four-year degree in public administration or public safety management/administration is needed for students who want further education after getting two-year degrees in emergency medical services, fire science or criminal justice, according to Kenneth Ross, vice president for academic and student services.

Those results were reported in April. Surveys are continuing, along with internal study of PCC's ability to meet the need for four-year programs without hurting its core of two-year classes. Officials said some four-year degree programs could begin in fall 2010.

[ Robin Williams Adams can be reached at robin.adams@theledger.com or 863-802-7558. Read her blog at robinsrx.theledger.com. ]