Cal State to Hold Classes at College

A partnership between College of the Canyons and Cal State Bakersfield could dramatically cut the commute time for some Santa Clarita Valley students pursuing a four-year college degree.

Beginning in January, Cal State Bakersfield will offer classes at the College of the Canyons campus that will lead to bachelor’s degrees in environmental resource management and liberal studies.

College of the Canyons officials said the partnership will eliminate the 90-minute commute to Bakersfield for Santa Clarita students and also help address the area’s shortage of teachers.

One of the liberal studies programs is for aspiring teachers.

“That’s the part that is so exciting. We’re addressing two major issues facing the community,” said College of the Canyons spokeswoman Sue Bozman.

Ernie Tichenor, College of the Canyons board of trustees vice president, said there is a special need for math and science teachers for elementary and high schools in the Santa Clarita area.

Tichenor, himself a 1978 political science graduate of Cal State Bakersfield, said he is excited about the program. “I got a really good education there. Now you don’t have to leave the Santa Clarita Valley. You can do your upper-division classes without leaving the College of the Canyons campus.”

The curriculum available through the joint program will be designed so that all College of the Canyons classes can transfer to Cal State Bakersfield, Bozman said.

Cal State Bakersfield professors will commute to College of the Canyons for the liberal arts classes. The environmental resource management classes will be taught online via the Web, said Tom Orr, Cal State Bakersfield’s regional programs coordinator.

Cal State Bakersfield forged its first partnership in 1990 with Antelope Valley Community College, a program that attracted 600 students last year, Orr said.

It’s possible the College of the Canyons might someday forge similar partnerships with other four-year colleges or universities.

“It could expand to a master’s and PhD program eventually,” Tichenor said.

“You’ll be able to get your PhD at College of the Canyons, but we’re talking way down the road with that.”