Dental hygiene program at WLAC vies for bachelor status

A select number of community colleges could soon be able to offer bachelor’s degrees in certain fields, and West Los Angeles College is hoping to be one of the chosen few.

Under a pilot program that was signed into law this fall by Gov. Jerry Brown, up to 15 community colleges might qualify to offer bachelor’s degrees in the fields of heath, science and technology.

“Employers in California seek candidates with advanced credentials, and many struggle to fill positions in some of the fields that will be covered under the new program,” said Brice Harris, chancellor of California community colleges.

West Los Angeles officials have submitted an application to the Los Angeles Community College District for a bachelors in dental hygiene, one of their strongest academic programs, said Michelle Coffey, West Los Angeles’ spokeswoman.

“Over the last decade, 100 percent of our graduates have passed their professional exams in dental hygiene,” Coffey said. “Also, our dental hygiene students are required to have 120 units for graduation with an associate’s degree, which is almost the same number of credits needed for a bachelor’s degree.”

West Los Angeles Director of Dental Hygiene Carmen Dones said being able to offer bachelors degrees could enhance the school’s prestige and further spotlight their dental hygiene program. “It’s very exciting,” she said. “This would be a dream come true for us and our students. Our students train at UCLA and treat various veterans at different locations.”

Several dentists and heads of college dental programs have signed letters of support backing West’s bid to ward bachelor’s degrees.

Community colleges in California are not allowed to offer similar bachelors degrees that can be obtained at University of California or California state universities, per the state’s Master Plan for Higher Education.

West Los Angeles’ application will be sent to Harris after the district’s board of directors review it. Only one community college from the Los Angeles District will be chosen, Coffey said.

Dones said West anticipates hearing from the community college board of trustees after Nov. 12.