Finkel, Ed (2005) Is an associate’s degree good enough COMMUNITY COLLEGE WEEK, 7/4, P.6-8.

Florida has moved toward a 4 year technical degree. There are some degrees that 4 year liberal arts colleges can’t do and universities won’t do. As an example, a 4 year degree in wastewater management is such a degree. Liberal arts colleges would find setting up facilities such as that too expensive. Universities could probably do such thing, but the degree is too vocational. Thus, the community college is the best resource.

However, the post secondary institutions are hostile to losing their student base. Can one blame them? Thus, many community colleges want to continue to have good relations with 4 year and universities throughout the country. Thus, a 4 or 5 year program can be included at a two year institution if they provide the first two years of “training” and the 4 year or university provide a complimentary degree in biology or engineering. Thus, both flourish.

Another possibility is the paralegal degree. There are a number of cases where a student gets a reverse transfer. Thus, they have already earned bachelors, masters, or even a doctorate to find that they can not get work. The one year paralegal degree makes an excellent choice for those with a great deal of education and without a practical skill.

There may be a 4 year degree ahead for some states, but the likelihood of such thing happening all over the country is probably not viable.