Bachelor of Science BS
degree gets full accreditation at non- University of Hawaii Maui campus
"Long journey" complete for MCC
program
reprinted courtesy Maui News 12/16/07
KAHULUI – Maui Community College’s first and only four-year degree program has had its accreditation applied to the Bachelor of Applied Science degrees issued this year.
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Business and Information Technology was given initial accreditation earlier this year by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges’ Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities.
On Wednesday, the college announced that the accreditation was granted retroactively, meaning it applies to the four-year degrees awarded to the first graduates of the program earlier this year.
“The process of establishing this program and ultimately receiving accredita-
tion for our historic first bachelor’s degree has been a long journey and has truly been a team effort,” MCC Chancellor Clyde Sakamoto said.
Sakamoto applauded the bachelor’s degree program coordinator, David Grooms, for “his focus and persistence in responding to the range of accreditation requirements, and I extend my deepest congratulations and appreciation to all who have played a part in seeing this opportunity made possible for our students and community.”
“We’re very happy to have it done both for us and especially for the students,” Grooms said of the granting of full accreditation.
Currently, there are approximately 40 students taking upper-division courses, and another 35 to 40 in lower-division classes that could lead to entry into the Applied Business and Information Technology (ABIT) Program.
According to Grooms, another three students may be eligible for the MCC bachelor’s degree in spring 2008, and nine more may be earning the ABIT degree credits by spring 2009.
In notifying MCC of the granting of accreditation, accrediting commission President and Executive Director Ralph Wolff noted that the college has been responsive to issues raised by the accreditation team and cited in action letters.
Wolff also listed improvements made since the accrediting commission’s first review of the Applied Business and Information Technology Program in July 2004.
The improvements include the appointment of three full-time faculty members and a counselor, securing permanent financial support from the state and enhancements to the general education curriculum
The commission also offered recommendations for improving the assessment of student learning, addressing program growth and sustainability, supporting faculty scholarship, and examining the transition of students from lower to upper level courses.
Grooms said the commission’s recommendations raised valid issues and have “pretty much been fairly consistent.”
“We’ve been working at them since their (the commission’s) first visit and we’re pleased with our progress,” Grooms said.
The accrediting commission plans to follow up its review of the Applied Business and Information Technology Program with a visit in fall 2012.
Maui Community College’s ABIT program awarded its first bachelor degrees in May 2007 to three students – Sunny Cabello, and husband and wife, Ryan and Krissy Garcia. Another degree was earned in the summer by Terry Ventura.
The bachelor’s degree in applied business and information technology is unique within the University of Hawaii system.
It is a business degree, emphasizing
small- to medium-sized business management, with a strong information technology component.
Grooms said the degree program is designed for individuals interested in starting a business, entering the corporate world or pursuing graduate studies in business.
Information on the degree program can be found at www.maui.hawaii.edu/abit. It is granted by the faculty at Maui Community College, and is not related to the four-year and graduate degree programs offered at MCC through the University Center.
The University Center provides bachelor’s and master’s degrees granted by the University of Hawaii at Manoa, UH-Hilo and UH-West Oahu, with a combination of online and video instruction, and classes conducted by professors who travel to Maui to teach.
Claudine San Nicolas can be reached at claudine@mauinews.com .
reprinted courtesy Maui News 12/16/07
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