ASU, Arizona Western College to offer bachelor’s degree programs in Yuma

PHOENIX — Arizona State University will be expanding its reach by offering degree programs in a remote part of the state.

Yuma residents will soon be able to get a four-year bachelor’s degree without ever leaving town. This fall, ASU will be offering degree programs through classes held at Arizona Western College.

“This fall, we’ll be offering a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice, as well as a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership,” said Maria Hesse, vice provost for academic partnerships at ASU. “Starting in the fall of 2016, we’ll be adding a bachelor’s degree in secondary education to help fill vacancies at the high school teaching level in the Yuma area.”

In a press release, ASU said that it anticipates the Arizona Board of Regents approving a “reduced level of tuition” for the programs. According to the release, “a full-time student would pay $6,280 for two semesters of full-time coursework for the 2015-16 academic year — a significant savings of as much as $3,800 over resident tuition at the ASU campuses in metropolitan Phoenix.”

Hesse said that this isn’t the first time the university has partnered with a community college.

“ASU has strong working relationships with all of the public community colleges and the tribal colleges within the state of Arizona,” said Hesse. “We offer bachelor’s degrees currently in the Gila Valley in partnership with Eastern Arizona College [located in Thatcher].”

ASU also has a campus in Lake Havasu City, and Hesse said that the university is dedicated to offering a quality education throughout Arizona.