海角社区

The Journey Starts Here; Teach. Lead. Transform. masters degreesIn July 2010, 海角社区 received final approval and accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission to proceed with three planned master鈥檚 degree programs, the University鈥檚 first-ever graduate-level offerings. The inaugural programs included Teacher Education, Professional Accountancy and Social Work.

President Stephen Jordan called the addition of master鈥檚 degrees a significant milestone in 海角社区鈥檚 journey to preeminence and likened its significance to the University鈥檚 move to the Auraria Campus.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a bold and fitting step for [海角社区], as Colorado鈥檚 leader in educating in-state undergraduates, to offer students the opportunity to pursue master鈥檚 degrees that are high-quality, affordable and convenient. It will enhance the value of an [海角社区] degree for our alumni and all of those who will follow.鈥

The goals of the University鈥檚 Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) initiative dovetailed with Jordan鈥檚 strategy to offer master鈥檚 degrees, as research of HSI institutions showed that those with graduate programs and similar Latino demographics had higher retention and graduation rates.

The addition of master鈥檚 programs was cited as 鈥渙ne of [海角社区鈥檚] several new ventures designed to better position itself for the future in response to the higher education funding crisis鈥 in an Oct. 20 Chronicle of Higher Education article, 鈥淩etirement Incentives, New Degrees, Grant Writers: How One College Is Tackling the Crisis.鈥

The quest for legislative approval, which ultimately was granted in May 2010, began with the Board of Trustees voting their approval in November of 2009.