(Santa Ana, Calif.) – Santa Ana College (SAC) offers three Bachelor's degree programs, officially making it the community college with the most baccalaureate degree programs (BDPs) among the 116 California Community Colleges. SAC offers Bachelor's degrees in Occupational Studies, Paralegal Studies, and Automotive Technology. This development aligns with SAC's mission to create innovative academic pathways that inspire students to achieve educational excellence and economic advancement in a supportive environment.
"This is a major milestone for Santa Ana College and a reflection of our commitment to expanding educational opportunities," said Dr. Annebelle Nery, president of SAC. “By offering these bachelor's degrees, we are opening doors to more affordable, high-quality education that will have a lasting impact on our students' futures and the community we serve."
Offering these bachelor's programs represents SAC's commitment to inspiring, transforming, and empowering a diverse community of learners. Each program was created to prepare students for success in high-demand career fields, offering them a path to achieve a degree that will enhance their professional opportunities.
According to a UC Davis Benefits and Opportunities report, graduates of community college bachelor degree programs earn twice as much as they did before obtaining their degree, with nearly 98 percent of students reporting their employment in the same field of study as their degree.
SAC's journey into offering bachelor's degrees began in March 2016, when the California Community College Board of Governors approved the college's first baccalaureate program: a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies. This program builds upon SAC's established Associate Degree in Occupational Therapy Assistant, offering students a streamlined pathway to further their careers in occupational therapy and related health fields. The program is designed to meet the increasing demand for highly trained professionals in occupational therapy, providing students with the qualifications needed to pursue leadership roles in the industry.
Following this, SAC expanded its bachelor's degree offerings with a Bachelor of Science in Paralegal Studies. This degree is intended for students who have already completed an associate degree in Paralegal Studies from an institution approved by the American Bar Association (ABA), such as SAC's well-regarded paralegal training program. The baccalaureate degree enables students to deepen their legal knowledge, positioning them for roles within the legal field. SAC's Paralegal Studies program has long been recognized for its excellence, providing both associate degrees and certificate programs that meet the highest industry standards.
The most recent addition to SAC's baccalaureate programs is the Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology, which was approved by the Chancellor of California Community Colleges on Sept. 5. This program will equip students with the advanced technical expertise necessary to pursue leadership roles within the vehicle manufacturing industry. As technological advancements in automotive systems continue to evolve, SAC's program prepares students for the complexities of modern automotive careers, with a strong emphasis on both technical and managerial skills.
According to EdSource, providing these programs at the community college level not only gives students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree at a significantly lower cost compared to a traditional four-year university, but also serves local communities that do not have affordable four-year universities near them.
Earlier this year, SAC was named as one of the Best Community Colleges in California for 2024 by the higher education website Intelligent.com, for its academic quality, graduation rate, cost, and student resources.
Questions about this press release can be directed to Young Kim from the Public Information Office at kim_young@sac.edu.
About Santa Ana College:
Santa Ana College (SAC), founded in 1915, serves more than 70,000 students yearly. At present, SAC students can work toward completing an associate degree, university transfer, career/workforce training or a bachelor's degree in occupational studies. As part of Santa Ana College, the School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center offers free classes throughout the community for adults of all ages and academic backgrounds. Santa Ana College is an award-winning college and was recently ranked as one of the nation's top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students and named one of the best community colleges in California by Intelligent.com. The college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel. Santa Ana College is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.
