Community colleges might give out four-year degrees

The Riverside Community College District wants to expand one of its two-year programs into a four-year program.

Senate Bill 850 that would allow up to 15 community college districts to grant four-year degrees in limited circumstances has been passed by the state legislature, according to a report in The Press-Enterprise.

Now the bill must become law, and the Riverside district definitely wants to be one of the 15 pilot programs. Administrators are looking to choose one of four programs to expand into a four-year degree: registered nursing at Riverside City College, the video gaming program at Norco College and the physician’s assistant and dental hygiene programs at Moreno Valley College, according to the report.

The bill is currently awaiting Gov. Brown’s signature. If he signs it, California would be the 22nd state to allow community colleges to give out four-year degrees, according to the report.