Seattle Central Community College gains approval to offer Bachelor’s degree in Applied Behavioral Science
SEATTLE — Seattle Central Community College has received approval from the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Applied Behavioral Science. Graduates of the program will fill a critical need in the Puget Sound region for specialists to work with those affected by drug abuse, homelessness, mental illness and other issues.
“This new four-year degree will build on Central’s existing Social and Human Services degree that has a thirty–year reputation for excellence,” said Dr. Mildred W. Ollée, college president. “It creates an educational pathway for Associate of Applied Science (AAS) students and offers an affordable baccalaureate degree option for students who cannot travel long distances to pursue their education.”
The board’s decision follows this spring’s approval from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. Central is one of three two–year colleges in the state selected to offer a four-year degree, which was authorized and funded by the state legislature.
The program would begin in September 2009 with 20 FTE students, increasing to 40 students at full enrollment by the second year. No other public institution serves AAS students in applied behavioral sciences in King County, and there is no similar bachelor degree available in a public institution for AAS students in the region.
Currently in the Puget Sound region there is a shortage of about 300 credentialed human services specialists per year to work with those affected by drug abuse, mental illness, homelessness, domestic violence, school failure and other societal issues, according to state employment figures. Individuals who do not receive specialized care have higher rates of hospitalization, incarceration and emergency interventions – a costly burden for the region, according to Bob Groeschell, Program Coordinator of Seattle Central’s Social and Human Services Program.
About 52 percent of Seattle Central’s student population comes from racially or ethnically diverse communities, Groeschell says. It is anticipated that Seattle Central’s program will increase the overall diversity of applied behavioral science professionals serving Seattle and King County.
With the baccalaureate option, students will be able to move from short-term certificates and related Associate of Applied Science degrees to further foundational and specialized coursework.
The program will also provide an academic pathway for existing behavioral science employees to enhance their professional skills and advance in their careers.
“Seattle Central Community College has a demonstrated record in successfully educating diverse student populations in high demand fields,” said Dr. Charles Mitchell, Chancellor of Seattle Community Colleges. “And our strong working relationships with community and technical colleges throughout the region will ensure strong demand for the program from students seeking additional education beyond the associate degree level in an applied baccalaureate program.”
In addition to Central’s baccalaureate program, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges also approved a Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Applied Technology Management and Entrepreneurship at Columbia Basin College, and a Bachelor’s of Applied Technology in Applied Design at Lake Washington Technical College.
Central is one of the Seattle Community Colleges, which each year serves the education needs of more than 50,000 students.
Seattle Central’s full program proposal is available at the BAS web page.
For further information about the program, please contact: Bob Groeschell, Program Coordinator of Social and Human Services, at (206) 934-2912 or bgroes@sccd.ctc.edu.