Overview
The 85th Texas Legislature passed legislation authorizing Texas community colleges to offer applied baccalaureate degrees in high-need workforce areas. Since this authority was granted, ACC has launched three applied baccalaureate degrees, with the fourth bachelor’s degree being launched in fall 2023. All the baccalaureate degrees meet a high-demand, high-wage workforce need in Central Texas.
Accomplishments
- The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Software Development were previously approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (fall 2018 and fall 2020 starts, respectively) and enrollment continues to grow in these programs.
- The BSN degree received additional approval to develop an online version. The part-time pathway launched in spring 2023 and the full-time pathway launches in fall 2023.
- The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Software Development launched in fall 2020 with four completers in spring 2022 and six in fall 2022.
- The Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Advanced Manufacturing launched in fall 2022 with an inaugural class of 18 students.
- The BAS in Cybersecurity has been approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and will launch in fall 2023.
Impact
AY23 Enrollment
- B.S. Nursing ‒ 276 students across five cohorts full time and part time
- BAT Advanced Manufacturing ‒18 accepted into the program with 15 enrolled in upper-level classes.
- BAS Software Development ‒ 158 full and part-time students. 48 new students accepted for fall 2023.
AY23 Completers
- B.S. Nursing ‒ 16 in spring 2023 and 50 projected for summer 2023; 86 projected for AY24
- BAS Software Development ‒ seven in spring 2023 and six in fall 2022
- BAT Advanced Manufacturing ‒ no completers yet as the first class began in fall 2022
Next Steps
- Complete curriculum development for BAS in Cybersecurity.
- Admit 60 students as inaugural class of the BAS in Cybersecurity for fall 2023.
- Recruit and admit fall 2023 classes for all four bachelor’s degrees.
- Identify the fifth and final bachelor’s degree area and begin development work.