MiraCosta College moves closer to offering bachelor’s program

North Coast Current

MiraCosta College is one of two San Diego County community colleges to earn initial approval to offer bachelor’s degrees, MiraCosta and state officials announced Jan. 20.

MiraCosta and San Diego Mesa colleges are two of 15 campuses statewide to develop and offer bachelor’s degrees as part of a state Baccalaureate Pilot Program. MiraCosta has campuses in Oceanside and Cardiff.

The decision was made Jan. 20 by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. The Board of Governors will take a final vote on the programs in March, according to a statement from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office.

“These colleges are embarking on a new mission for the California Community Colleges that will expand opportunities in public higher education,” state Chancellor Brice Harris said. “Students will have a range of programs from which to choose to earn high quality, affordable and in-demand degrees. California employers win too, as they will have improved access to highly qualified candidates in these fields.”

The degree programs at MiraCosta and Mesa focus on biotechnology and healthcare, two industries strongly associated with the San Diego region.

MiraCosta’s program will be designed to prepare students for employment in biotechnology manufacturing, including technical and quality assurance and control, the college district said.

“This is an historic moment not just for California’s community colleges, but also for MiraCosta College,” new district Superintendent/President Sunita Cooke said in MiraCosta’s announcement. “I want to extend my appreciation, gratitude and congratulations to the many MiraCosta College faculty, staff and administrators whose vision and persistence made our selection possible.”

San Diego Mesa College, part of the San Diego Community College District, will offer a health information management degree.

“One of the top missions of the California community colleges is workforce education,” San Diego Community College District Chancellor Constance Carroll, who chaired a statewide effort in support of the pilot program, said in her district’s announcement. “We are proud that one of our colleges will be in the vanguard of this innovative movement to address the region’s workforce preparation needs through high-quality instruction.”