Mohave College Bachelor’s Degree Proposals Await Final Accreditation Approval

Mohave College is a step closer to offering its first bachelor’s degrees, as Interim College President Dr. Tim Culver announced during the September 19 Board meeting that the Higher Learning Commission’s peer review team will recommend approval, and that recommendation will be forwarded to the HLC decision-making body for final action.

A final decision is not expected until early November, and it is required before the College can enroll students in any new academic programs.

Dr. Culver noted the Review Team’s positive assessment of the College readiness to offer bachelor‘s programs in Biology, Human Services, and Elementary Education (K-8). Pending final HLC approval, these would be the first baccalaureate programs in the College’s history. Mohave College board members previously voted to advance these three degrees as part of the College Academic Master Plan expansion.

“This is a major milestone for the College, students and employers across our region,” said Dr. Tim Culver, Interim President of Mohave College. “While we await the HLC’s final action, the reviewers’ intent to recommend approval signals strong confidence in our faculty, curriculum and student-support plans.”

Under HLC policy, peer reviewers issue recommendations that are considered by HLC’s Institutional Actions Council (IAC) and, where applicable, its Board of Trustees. Final decisions are recorded and posted by HLC after action is taken. Until then, the College proposals remain pending.

College leadership emphasized that adding bachelor‘s degrees advances the College mission and expands affordable, local pathways to high-demand careers. Earlier this year, college employees began preparatory work, so that if the HLC approves the programs then the College is prepared to launch them as early as spring semester, which begins on January 12, 2026.

“This will help residents save a lot of money while earning four-year bachelor’s degrees here at home in Mohave County,” said Dr. Culver. “The degrees are designed with employers, transfer partners, and student success in mind, and they build on our strengths in teaching, advising and hands-on learning.”

The HLC decision-making body will review the recommendation to approved the College bachelor‘s degree proposals and issues a final action, anticipated early November.

If approved, Mohave College will announce the decision and provide more information such as program start terms, application timelines and advising resources for prospective students in Biology, Human Services, and Elementary Education (K-8).