By Laura Weber
Lansing. MI – Michigan's community college students may soon be able to get a four-year degree without transferring to a major university or college. The state House Education Committee passed legislation that would allow the state's community colleges to offer bachelor degrees in four subjects: culinary arts; concrete technology; maritime studies and nursing.
Democratic state Representative Joel Sheltrown sponsored one of the bills. He says, "College education is very expensive, and community colleges can offer associates degrees at significantly lower cost. This is what I'm trying to do, to give local people the flexibility of holding their job, not having to move to another city it order to obtain a four-year degree."
Some representatives from the state's universities say the legislation would allow community colleges to poach students who would otherwise enroll at a bigger school.