Program Approval Process for Bachelor Degrees at Community Colleges

NOTE: NEW PAGE CONTENT UNDER DEVELOPMENT - Edits still in progress as of 10-23-25.

Oregon community colleges can seek approval for certain types of bachelor degrees in Oregon. Oregon legislation allows community colleges to seek Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) approval for these programs. On this page, you can find background on these degree programs and details on the HECC’s program approval process.

Pursuant to legislation passed in in 2019 and 2023, HECC manages the program review process for certain types of bachelor degrees proposed by Oregon community colleges:

Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, and
Bachelor of Science: Nursing degrees.

These are bachelor-level, workforce-oriented programs designed to prepare Oregonians for high-value careers with Oregon employers and industries. These programs provide advanced technical knowledge, strengthen analytical skills, enhance communication skills, and broaden students’ awareness of interdisciplinary topics. They contain technical or applied courses and further an Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Science Degree pathway. These pathways include lower-division courses and upper-division baccalaureate-level courses.

These programs are just beginning to be offered at some institutions. Prospective students interested in these programs should check their local community college’s website to see if they are available.

Stay Engaged on the Program Approval Process

The process for consideration of these degrees is a multi-phased review process. New programs are proposed to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission for review and approval. This is done at regular public meetings of the Commission.

Learn more about the steps in the review process below.

The HECC process for consideration of these degrees is a multi-phased review process. See an overview of the process below.

Process overview document

See rules and satutes pertaining to Community College Bachelor Program Approval:

Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the HECC. Learn more about HECC rules and statutes.

See the HECC upcoming public meeting materials and past meeting materials for information on commission agendas and minutes. Recent program approvals are also announced in HECC newsletters on a regular basis.

Community College Resources: Program Approval Process

Find details on the program approval process requirements below for Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science: Nursing degrees. For questions or program approval resources, contact us at hecc.ab@hecc.oregon.gov.

The initial step in a proposal is the submission of a notice of intent.

Notice of Intent Form (coming soon)

The first phase in progam review is the Statement of Need (SON). The rubric below describes the standards and criteria for the SON.

The second phase in program review is the Notice of Application (NOA). The rubric below describes the standards and criteria for the NOA.

Phase three consists of the college entering in all information from the SON and NOA in addition to all final courses into CCWD’s Program and Course Approval System – Webforms.

Status of Proposals In Process

Find details on the status of current program proposals for Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science: Nursing degrees.

In Process: Phase One, Step One: Statement of Need (SON)
Phase One, Step Two: 90 Day Waiting Period (June 13, 2025, to September 11, 2025)
Phase Two: Notice of Application (NOA)
Phase Three: Program Application
Next Steps: Phase Two of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Education will be presented for Notification at the next tentative Commission Meeting scheduled for December 11, 2025.

In Process: Phase One, Step One: Statement of Need (SON)
Phase One, Step Two: 90 Day Waiting Period (June 13, 2025, to September 11, 2025)
Phase Two: Notice of Application (NOA)
Phase Three: Program Application
Next Steps: Phase Two of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Education will be presented for Notification at the next tentative Commission Meeting scheduled for December 11, 2025.

In Process: Phase One, Step One: Statement of Need (SON)
Phase One, Step Two: 90 Day Waiting Period (June 13, 2025, to September 11, 2025)
Phase Two: Notice of Application (NOA)
Phase Three: Program Application
Next Steps: Phase Two of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Business
Management – Salon Emphasis will be presented for Notification at
the tentative Commission Meeting scheduled for February 12, 2026.

In Process: Phase One, Step One: Statement of Need (SON)
Phase One, Step Two: 90 Day Waiting Period (June 13, 2025, to September 11, 2025)
Phase Two: Notice of Application (NOA)
Phase Three: Program Application
Next Steps: Phase Two of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Education will be presented for Notification at the next tentative Commission Meeting scheduled for December 11, 2025.

In Process: Phase One, Step One: Statement of Need (SON)
Phase One, Step Two: 90 Day Waiting Period (June 13, 2025, to September 11, 2025)
Phase Two: Notice of Application (NOA)
Phase Three: Program Application
Next Steps: Phase Two of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Education will be presented for Notification at the next tentative Commission Meeting scheduled for December 11, 2025.

In Process: Phase One, Step One: Statement of Need (SON)
Phase One, Step Two: 90 Day Waiting Period (June 13, 2025, to September 11, 2025)
Phase Two: Notice of Application (NOA)
Phase Three: Program Application
Next Steps: Phase Two of the Bachelor of Applied Science in Education will be presented for Notification at the next tentative Commission Meeting scheduled for December 11, 2025.

Approved Programs

Find details below on Commission-approved Bachelor of Applied Science and Bachelor of Science: Nursing degrees.

Approved