Hancock College receives preliminary approval for its Bachelor of Science program

Allan Hancock College has announced that it will soon be able to offer a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Professional Studies.

The news comes after the college received preliminary approval from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office for the program; a certification that officials say brings them one step closer to offering the curriculum to students.

School representatives say the program will provide highly affordable and locally accessible education for the Santa Maria community.

Students studying to obtain the tentatively approved degree of Bachelor of Science will reportedly pay $46 per unit for the first two years and $130 per unit for the final two years; this brings the final cost of the four-year degree to $10,560 or less, depending on whether you qualify for a scholarship, officials said.

Organizers say graduates who earn the degree will be well-equipped to enter a variety of professional fields, including agriculture, manufacturing, aerospace or business start-ups, and healthcare.

“This bachelor’s degree is a game-changer for North Santa Barbara County students, many of whom are first-generation college students and face significant barriers to higher education, such as the high cost of college education and the need to spend long distances to four-year institutions,” said Hilda Zacarías, vice chair of the Hancock Board of Trustees, in a news release.

The program will now enter the inter-segment consultation phase, during which representatives say further feedback will be offered by key stakeholders.

Officials say they hope to receive final approval in March 2025 and introduce the program to students in fall 2026.