Weinstein applauds preliminary approval of BCC 4-year degree

OLYMPIA – A Bellevue Community College (BCC) plan to offer a bachelor’s degree in radiation and imaging sciences will benefit both the Eastside and the entire state, Sen. Brian Weinstein, D-Eastside suburbs, said today.

The plan gained preliminary approval from the State Board for Community & Technical Colleges on Wednesday.

“Whenever we open the doors to higher education to more students, it’s cause for celebration. What makes this news even better is it also addresses a major need for skilled employees in our health-care industry,” said Weinstein, who serves as a vice chair on the Senate Early Learning, K-12 & Higher Education Committee.

The Higher Education Coordinating Board and BCC’s accrediting agency also must approve the program, which would be the first four-year radiation and imaging sciences program in Washington. The program would begin in September 2007, and would employ a distance learning format to allow students statewide to enroll.

BCC estimates that Washington hospitals and clinics need at least 313 new radiation and imaging supervisors and managers each year, and 525 new technologists with advanced radiation and imaging skills.

The Legislature in 2005 passed House Bill 1794 authorizing four pilot-degree programs at the state’s community and technical colleges in an effort to expand access to education in certain high-demand fields. Other programs granted preliminary approval on Wednesday include a nursing program at Olympic College in Bremerton, a hospitality management program at South Seattle Community College and an applied science management program at Peninsula College in Port Angeles.

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