Solutions Through Higher Education

Arizona universities plan to offer more degrees

The New York Times
Jan. 29, 2010

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- The presidents of Arizona's three public universities told Gov. Jan Brewer that they're on pace to double the amount of bachelor's degrees they award in the next 10 years.

Under the plan, up to five new campuses will offer only bachelor's degrees with limited, more service-driven majors. The campuses also would have cheaper in-state tuition than Arizona State, Northern Arizona and the University of Arizona.

The plan also calls for the universities to partner with current two-year schools to offer four-year degrees, allow more transfers and create dual-enrollment options.

The idea is that the more educated Arizonans there are, the greater the state's economic prosperity and quality of life will be.

''The need for more cost-effective degrees has never been greater,'' Brewer told the presidents at the Arizona Board of Regents meeting Thursday at the Glendale campus of Arizona State University. ''We have to be aggressive in implementing (this plan) and not move at that normal university pace, or governmental pace.''

ASU President Michael Crow told Brewer that his school will offer three four-year degrees at community colleges in the fall and continue to work on developing more, and that the university has greatly expanded its online programs at lower prices.

The university also is working with undergraduate colleges to extend its programs across the state, including a three-year degree option. The campuses would be freestanding colleges, and the university hopes to open the first one by fall 2011.

UA President Robert Shelton said his university realigned all of its distance programs and was able to more than triple its evening and weekend enrollment numbers and nearly doubled its distance enrollment.

NAU President John Haeger said his school is trying to form partnerships with every community college in the state, develop branch campuses and expand its online programs.