Maricopa Community Colleges is proud to announce that the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has approved accreditation for three additional Baccalaureate Degree Programs: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (BS) at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC), Business Administration-Accounting (BBA) at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC), and Business Administration-Management (BBA) at Scottsdale Community College (SCC).
“Our system continues to transform accessibility for thousands of Arizona students who may have thought college was outside their reach due to cost, acceptance rate, or location,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor. “Our bachelor’s degree programs are an affordable alternative to traditional four-year universities that open doors to high-impact, high-demand, and high-wage careers while addressing critical workforce shortages.”
At the Forefront of AI
In 2020, Maricopa Community Colleges and Intel announced Arizona’s first artificial intelligence and machine learning degree and certificate program. Together, the system and CGCC continue to drive progress through AI-focused initiatives, including launching a first-of-its-kind AI incubator lab, hosting a teaching and learning summit, and joining the National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium. As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in the workplace, employers recognize the growing AI skills gap, with 51% of organizations noting current talent lacks the skills needed to execute AI and machine learning strategies.
The new bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence and machine learning solidifies CGCC as a leader in AI education. CGCC becomes the third community college in the nation to offer a bachelor’s degree specializing in AI. Students of the program will gain access to experienced faculty and learn how to use emerging principles and methodologies to build machine learning models.
Business is Booming
According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, business degrees ranked among the top, at both the associate and bachelor levels, conferred at U.S. postsecondary institutions during the 2021–22 academic year. The changing occupational landscape has primed Gen Z to be one of the most entrepreneurial generations. Research from ZenBusiness found that 75% of Gen Z want to launch their own business, and 93% have already taken at least one step toward exploring business ownership.
Through PVCC’s Business Institute, the college has worked to create an ecosystem that supports students and employers. The bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting joins stackable certificate offerings and internship opportunities to ensure students are job-ready.
Created in collaboration with local business partners, SCC’s bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in management adds to the college’s robust business and entrepreneurial program offerings. With an emphasis on real-world applications, students will focus on skills that can be immediately used in the workplace, including managerial accounting, business analytics, and project management.
Higher Education is Changing
The shift in social and economic outlook on higher education has forced institutions to find new ways to remain competitive while meeting students where they are. Across the nation, 24 states, including Arizona, offer baccalaureate degrees. Nationally, 41% of undergraduates choose to attend their local community colleges.
A year after launching its first baccalaureate degrees, Maricopa Community Colleges has enrolled nearly 5,000 students across eight programs. 61% of students entering are first-generation, 43% identify as Hispanic/Latino, and 41% are new to the community college system. Valuing students over profits, Maricopa Community Colleges remains committed to keeping tuition within reach for all students, with lower-division courses at $97 per credit hour and upper-division courses at $145.50 per credit hour. Last spring, the system made history by awarding Arizona’s first-ever community college four-year baccalaureate diplomas to five students.
What’s Next
With HLC approval, Maricopa Community Colleges will now offer 11 bachelor’s degrees. The three additional bachelor’s degrees will begin classes during the fall 2025 semester, with registration starting in March.
Learn more about Maricopa Community Colleges bachelor’s degree programs here.