A Policy and Practice Guide to Supporting Bachelor’s Programs at Rural Community Colleges

When local community and labor market needs call for a new bachelor’s program, community colleges can welcome new students with a range of life and work experiences to pursue this degree and meet community needs, states this report from New America.

Strategies for rural-serving community colleges may differ somewhat from their suburban and urban-serving peers, given lower population density, potentially large service areas, and the need to manage institutional resources for smaller bachelor’s programs. Based on interviews and review of state policy, the report offers four recommendations for institutions and states as they consider the needs of rural colleges that need to build a new bachelor’s program:

1. Allow rural-serving community college bachelor’s programs flexibility in meeting local needs.
2. Ensure that rural-serving colleges have the faculty and staff capacity to develop strong bachelor’s programs.
3. Provide start-up resources to rural community colleges to help with high equipment and facilities costs.
4. Ensure that bachelor’s students with clinical or practical placements have adequate financial resources to meet these requirements.

Read the report online »