Abstract
California’s ability to produce an adequate supply of educated workers to meet the demand of the market is becoming a growing concern. Low baccalaureate completion rates pose a significant workforce problem and the effects are a mismatch between supply and demand. The applied baccalaureate degree is a method some states use to address low baccalaureate degree completion rates and to meet workforce and economic needs. Currently, thirty-nine states offer the applied baccalaureate. California is one of eleven states that do not offer the degree. The focus of this paper is to examine if the applied baccalaureate degree is worth pursuing in California. This paper uses a case study approach to analyze the reasons why four states implemented the applied baccalaureate degree. The primary research method relies on data gathered via surveys that were distributed among four states with applied baccalaureate programs: Florida, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. The research also employs qualitative data gathered through public information available on websites and published articles. The states selected for the case study were drawn from a pool of states that have implemented the applied baccalaureate program within the last ten years and that have similar characteristics to California. The survey consisted of open-ended and yes/no questions as well as attitudinal statements. The survey respondents consisted of state higher education representatives and college and program administrators of applied baccalaureate programs. The author concludes the applied baccalaureate degree could provide California with a valuable pathway to the baccalaureate degree and help increase the degree completion rates, address equity concerns around degree completion, and address workforce demands and shift toward an information and knowledge based economy.