Baccalaureate Degrees Proposal History

Read here for a history of the process to start offering baccalaureate degrees at State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (formerly Manatee Community College).

Update: March 26, 2010 - State Board Approves Three New SCF Bachelor Degrees

The Florida State Board of Education (SBOE) at its March 26, 2010, meeting approved proposals by State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF), to offer a bachelor of science degree in early childhood education, birth to age 4; and bachelor of applied science degrees in health services administration and public safety administration/homeland security.

Click here to read complete news release.

Update: March 17, 2009 - BSN Approved

Manatee Community College began a new era March 17, 2009, with the State Board of Education's unanimous approval of MCC's proposal to deliver a complete bachelor's of science in nursing (BSN) degree to Manatee and Sarasota counties. Application has been made to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools for baccalaureate level change approval.

Click here for the complete news release.

View photos of MCC staff, area hospital administrators and community representatives at the State Board of Education's meeting.

Background

The MCC District Board of Trustees at its September 17, 2008, meeting unanimously approved notifying the Florida Department of Education that the College intends to offer baccalaureate programs.

As the next step in the process, at its December 9, 2008, meeting the Board approved sending a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree proposal to state education officials and legislators.

The proposal was supported by highlights from a needs analysis showing that a BSN program at MCC would draw strong support from major area hospitals and strong interest from working RNs and nursing students. The analysis showed an unprecedented immediate need for RNs with a BSN and an equally dramatic level of interest in MCC offering the BSN.

If MCC receives approval from state officials in spring 2009 to offer the BSN program, January 2010 is the earliest classes would be expected to begin.

Updates will be posted on this Web page as the College moves through the state's Baccalaureate Proposal Approval Process for Community Colleges.