(1)Before a community college offers a two-year
degree program with academic designation, as authorized by section 23-60-201,
the community college shall determine the program designation for the degree. A
two-year degree program with academic designation shall only be for a degree
program that has a valid student transfer agreement pursuant to section 23-1-108
(7); except that a community college may offer a two-year degree program with
academic designation in dental hygiene without a valid student transfer agreement.
The community college shall then submit the degree program designation to the
board for its review and approval. The community college may offer the degree
program only after it has been approved by the board and by the Colorado
commission on higher education. The
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
(1) Before a community college offers a two-year
degree program with academic designation, as authorized by section 23-60-201,
the community college shall determine the program designation for the degree. A
two-year degree program with academic designation shall only be for a degree
program that has a valid student transfer agreement pursuant to section 23-1-108
(7); except that a community college may offer a two-year degree program with
academic designation in dental hygiene without a valid student transfer agreement.
The community college shall then submit the degree program designation to the
board for its review and approval. The community college may offer the degree
program only after it has been approved by the board and by the Colorado
commission on higher education. The community college shall exclusively use the
degree program designation name in official publications, course catalogs,
diplomas, and official transcripts.
(2) Successful completion of an associate of arts or associate of science
degree with academic designation does not guarantee the degree holder admission
to a four-year state-supported institution of higher education; nor does it guarantee
the degree holder automatic transfer of credits unless the degree holder has
fulfilled the requirements of an existing statewide transfer agreement.
(3) Pursuant to section 23-60-213, Red Rocks community college may offer a
graduate program in physician assistant studies.
(4) (a) Subject to the requirements of section 23-1-107, a community college
that is part of the state system of community and technical colleges may, with
board approval, offer a bachelor of applied science degree. A community college
may request authority to offer more than one bachelor of applied science degree
program. In considering whether to approve a request by a community college to
offer a bachelor of applied science degree, the board shall consider student and
workforce demand, cost effectiveness for the students, the community college
system, and the state, and accreditation and licensing requirements.
(b) The board shall notify the Colorado commission on higher education of
each bachelor of applied science degree program that the board approves pursuant
to this subsection (4).
(5) Subject to the requirements of sections 23-1-113.7 and 23-1-107, a
community college that is part of the state system of community and technical
colleges established and governed by this part 2 may, with board approval, offer a
bachelor of science degree in nursing as a completion degree to students who have
or are pursuing an associate degree in nursing or a practical nursing certificate. In
considering whether to approve a request by a community college to offer a
bachelor of science in nursing as a completion degree, the board shall consider
student and workforce demand, cost effectiveness for the students, and
accreditation and licensing requirements. The board shall provide such information
to the Colorado commission on higher education and solicit the commission's input
in a joint meeting of the board and the commission. A community college that is
seeking board approval shall provide the board with data regarding its current
partnerships with existing bachelor of science nursing degree programs and its
plans to continue such partnerships. At least ninety days prior to requesting board
approval to offer a bachelor of science degree in nursing as a completion degree,
the community college seeking such board approval shall provide notice to the
Colorado commission on higher education and all state public and nonpublic
institutions of higher education.
(6) Pursuant to section 23-60-804, the Emily Griffith technical college may
offer an associate of applied science degree.
Source: L. 2010: Entire section added, (SB 10-088), ch. 154, p. 531, � 3,
effective August 11. L. 2012: (1) amended, (HB 12-1214), ch. 212, p. 914, � 1, effective
August 8. L. 2013: (3) added, (SB 13-178), ch. 241, p. 1170, � 2, effective August 7. L.
2014: (4) added, (SB 14-004), ch. 13, p. 119, � 3, effective August 6. L. 2017: (4)
amended, (SB 17-297), ch. 210, p. 821, � 18, effective May 18. L. 2018: (4) amended
and (5) added, (HB 18-1086), ch. 70, p. 631, � 3, effective March 24. L. 2021: (4)
R&RE and (5) amended, (HB 21-1330), ch. 377, p. 2506, � 9, effective June 29. L.
2022: (5) amended, (SB 22-003), ch. 71, p. 367, � 1, effective August 10. L. 2025: (6)
added, (HB 25-1221), ch. 71, p. 309, � 2, effective August 6.