Section 1908-B. Individuals Eligible for Admission; Certificates and Degrees.--(a) The board of trustees shall provide a program of education hereinafter defined for those persons admitted to the institution pursuant to section 1904-B. In considering such admission, no preference shall be shown on account of race, color, sex, marital status, ethnic group or religion.
(b) The course of instruction shall be the equivalent level of a two-year postsecondary institution which shall include career and technical education of no more than two years leading to the awarding of certificates or associate degrees, when approved by the Secretary of Education in accordance with rules and regulations established by the State Board for this level of education, for the purpose of fitting pupils to pursue effectively a recognized profitable employment.
(c) In addition to the certificates and degrees authorized under subsection (b), the board of trustees may establish and offer courses of instruction leading to the awarding of baccalaureate degrees in applied sciences, including the bachelor of applied science, in fields aligned with technical education, workforce development and high-priority occupations within this Commonwealth. The baccalaureate degree programs authorized under this section shall:
(1) build upon or articulate with associate degree programs offered by the college;
(2) emphasize applied, technical and career-focused instruction designed to meet workforce needs;
(3) include appropriate general education components to ensure academic rigor consistent with baccalaureate-level study; and
(4) be subject to approval by an applicable regional accrediting agency.
(d) The college may not offer graduate-level degrees unless separately authorized by act of the General Assembly.
(e) The college shall collaborate, to the extent practicable, with other public institutions of higher education within this Commonwealth to:
(1) avoid unnecessary duplication of programs;
(2) promote transfer and articulation pathways; and
(3) address Statewide and regional workforce needs.
(f) As part of the annual report under section 1916-B, the board of trustees shall submit an annual report to the Department of Education and the General Assembly summarizing:
(1) baccalaureate programs offered;
(2) enrollment, completion and employment outcomes; and
(3) alignment with workforce demand.
(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter the status of the college as a residential, two-year college with a primary mission of providing technical education. The offering of baccalaureate degrees in applied sciences shall be considered a supplement to the primary mission.
(1908-B amended July 12, 2026, P.L.220, No.20)