Students look forward to bachelor’s degree offerings after board approval

MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave Community College is making historic strides in its mission to expand access to higher education by bringing four-year baccalaureate degrees to Mohave County. During its February meeting, the MCC Board of Governors officially voted to approve the College’s proposed bachelor’s degree programs, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s evolution into a more comprehensive college.

The approval follows a presentation in January by MCC Executive Vice President Dr. Tim Culver, who highlighted the exceptional value MCC’s four-year degrees will offer students—both in cost and academic quality. For example, assuming on-time completion in four years, the tuition for a baccalaureate degree at MCC would cost approximately $13,650, compared to nearly $46,000–$55,000 at Arizona’s public universities.

“It’s important that we understand that while we’re providing access to our Mohave County residents, the value of that access seems to be way more than it would be for a four-year institution,” said Culver.

MCC President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein called the move a game-changing opportunity for students across the district. “This advancement opens the door for more high-quality, affordable academic pathways right here in our communities,” he said.

The three approved degrees are:

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education

Designed to prepare students to become effective K–8 educators, this 121-credit program offers a solid foundation in pedagogy, child development, and instructional strategies. The College hopes to launch the program in Fall 2025, pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission.

Bachelor of Arts in Human Services

This 10-semester degree, including three summer terms, equips students to assess and support human needs across various fields, such as social work, mental health, addiction, and public health. It is ideal for those aiming to work in service-oriented professions helping individuals and families. The program launch date depends upon approval from the Higher Learning Commission.

Bachelor of Science in Biology

This 122–124 credit program fosters scientific problem-solving, research engagement, and communication skills. The proposed launch is targeted for Spring 2026, pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission.

In alignment with Arizona Revised Statutes, MCC’s bachelor’s proposals were evaluated on four key criteria: community and student need, financial impact, program duplication, and institutional capacity. The College submitted a comprehensive report that included executive summaries, planning processes, stakeholder input, workforce demand analysis, and upper-division course requirements.

MCC student Gage Tedford, who dreams of becoming a surgeon, sees the new Biology degree as a life-changing opportunity.

“This initiative offers a lifeline to those who have long felt deprived of the quality education they so fervently needed,” he said. “With MCC venturing into the realm of four-year degrees, there’s an undeniable surge of hope. This change harbors an era of empowerment—one that will uplift lives, reinforce families, and foster communities brimming with potential.”

With board approval now secured, MCC is actively moving forward with the development and accreditation processes necessary to begin offering the new degrees starting in Fall 2025, pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission. The College’s bold step forward signals its commitment to creating a more affordable and accessible pathway to bachelor’s degrees for the residents of Mohave County.