Staff Report
Hancock College will offer three bachelor’s degrees — in public administration, business administration and organizational management — on its Santa Maria campus after officially accepting an agreement with the University of La Verne.
The public-private initiative will also allow Hancock students to transfer seamlessly into University of La Verne as early as this January.
“One of the greatest needs in our community is access to affordable four-year degrees, so this partnership is a big win for our students,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers. “With these degree programs on campus, we can offer the community access to high-quality university education that will prepare students for meaningful careers.”
As part of the agreement with La Verne, students who complete at least two semesters at Hancock will also be eligible for a 50 percent discount on their tuition. Students enrolled in regional campus undergraduate programs at La Verne currently pay $645 per semester hour.
“We want an affordable, high-quality, private university education to be within reach for students at Hancock and every other community college across the state,” said University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman. “This partnership will allow Hancock students to stay close to their homes, families and jobs as they pursue their educational goals.”
The on-site bachelor’s programs are aimed at current students who are enrolled in similar programs at Hancock, as well as alumni who want to return to the college to complete a bachelor’s degree.
“We hope the three initial opportunities are just the start of other bachelor degree programs that could be offered at Hancock,” said Associate Superintendent and Vice President for Academic Affairs Bob Curry. “We have many programs on campus that complement the offerings of University of La Verne. Over the next year, we’ll work to identify what might be possible in phase two.”
Students may enroll at both schools concurrently. This will allow them to take lower-division courses from Hancock at the same time they take upper division courses from the University of La Verne. Flexible class schedules will accommodate working students. Most students will need to take an additional 44 units from the university to earn their bachelor’s degree.
About 35 miles east of Los Angeles, University of La Verne is a private, nonprofit, comprehensive institution that serves more than 8,400 students at its historic La Verne campus as well as at many regional locations.
Hancock students and alumni may apply to the onsite programs or any other University of La Verne academic programs at laverne.edu/apply.
