Skyline College has been officially approved by the California Community College Board of Governors to offer a Bachelor’s of Applied Science in Respiratory Care as of March 16.

“We are very happy and excited to have it,” Director of Respiratory Therapy/Allied Health, Ijaz Ahmed said. “We’re very lucky.”

Last year on Sept. 28, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill that created an 8-year pilot program which allowed 15 community colleges across the state to offer select bachelor’s programs to students. The bill was designed to meet the growing workforce demand for college educated and skilled workers in health, science and technology.

Skyline College and a number of other community colleges were initially approved in January earlier this year, “pending additional evaluation” by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, according to a press release from the Chancellor’s Office.

The program will build upon its existing curriculum, and Skyline College President Dr. Regina Stanback Stroud hopes to be able to offer upper division courses by Fall of 2016.

“The availability of a baccalaureate of respiratory therapy will be big for our community,” Dr. Stanback Stroud said.

View Skyline’s FAQ about the program here.

Below is a full list of the 12 new four-year programs at community colleges that have been approved by the Board of Governors.

• Antelope Valley College, Airframe Manufacturing Technology.
• Bakersfield College, Industrial Automation.
• Cypress College, Mortuary Science.
• Feather River College, Equine industry.
• Foothill College and West Los Angeles College, Dental Hygiene.
• Mira Costa College, Bio-Manufacturing.
• Modesto Junior College and Skyline College, Respiratory Care.
• Mesa College, Health Information Management.
• Santa Ana College, Occupational Studies.
• Shasta College, Health Information Management.