Yavapai College to Launch First Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree Program

News Summary

Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona, is set to launch the first three-year Bachelor of Applied Science in Business program at a community college in the U.S. starting in Fall 2025. This program will allow students to complete their degree online in 92 credits, significantly fewer than the traditional 120 credits. Designed for affordability and accessibility, the program has no associated textbook fees and consists of eight-week courses. With this innovative approach, Yavapai College aims to better prepare students for the workforce while meeting evolving educational demands.

Prescott, Arizona – In a groundbreaking move for higher education, Yavapai College will launch the first three-year bachelor’s degree program at a community college in the United States. The Bachelor of Applied Science in Business is set to begin in Fall 2025 and will consist of 92 credits, significantly less than the traditional 120 credits or more required for most bachelor’s degrees.

This innovative program aims to help students complete their degree in three years, allowing them to enter the workforce sooner than with conventional four-year programs. The program will be entirely online and conducted through eight-week courses. Importantly, there will be no textbook or additional student fees associated with the program, making it more accessible for students seeking affordable education.

The creation of this degree program was made possible by recent approvals from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which sanctioned reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees. This change opens up new pathways for students who want to achieve their educational goals in a shorter timeframe.

Yavapai College President, Dr. Lisa B. Rhine, emphasized the college’s commitment to providing accessible and affordable educational opportunities for the community. The launch of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Business follows the college’s recent addition of a Bachelor of Science in Business in Fall 2023, as well as new degrees in Nursing and Computer Science.

The existing Bachelor of Science in Business program, which continues to be offered along with the new degree, includes four concentrations: accounting, entrepreneurship, organizational management and leadership, and digital marketing. This offers students a variety of tracks to specialize in, catering to different interests and career goals.

Registration for the initial classes of this new program, scheduled to begin on August 18, 2025, is now open. Interested students can find more information about pursuing the degree at the college’s official website.

Yavapai College boasts seven campuses throughout Yavapai County and offers over 100 degrees and certificates, alongside a range of student and community services. The introduction of the three-year bachelor’s degree program highlights the college’s ongoing commitment to adapting to the needs of its students and the evolving job market.

This pioneering initiative sets a precedent for community colleges across the nation and underscores the importance of innovation in higher education as institutions strive to better serve their students and communities.

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Additional Resources

• Signals AZ: Prescott’s Yavapai College First Community College Offering Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree
• Wikipedia: Yavapai College
• KTAR: Yavapai College Lockdown
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Community College
• Signals AZ: Yavapai College Hosting Prescott Pines Open House
• Google Search: Yavapai College
• The Prescott Times: Yavapai College Fire Academy Graduates 20 Cadets