Wyoming’s community colleges may be offering 4-year degrees in the future under legislation approved in its second reading in Wyoming’s Senate on Monday.
SF 111 would allow all seven of Wyoming’s community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees in applied science.
Bill sponsor Sen. Tara Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, said the program would give vocational and technical students a higher level of training.
“What that looks like on the ground is really … an individual who may have an associate’s degree in welding or some other vocational education like electricians to get an additional next-level step of educational opportunity, by understanding legal principals that may apply or owning their own shops or businesses, that kind of degree programming,” she said.
The University of Wyoming is opposing the bill, largely because of concerns it would encroach on the university’s mission of higher education and research.
The bill is to be read a third time Tuesday. If approved, it will be sent to the House for its review.
