Battle Over State Community Colleges Offering Four-Year Degrees Heats Up Again

LANSING, MI (WHTC) – Addressing a nursing shortage in Michigan is the major thrust of a state Senate bill that would allow some community colleges to offer four-year degrees in nursing and other specialized fields. Sponsor Mike Shirkey of Clark Lake says that this is market-driven legislation, while representatives of four-year universities counter that their own programs in these fields are “under-enrolled.” The Senate Commerce Committee will take more testimony before voting on the bill.