According to a recent article in the New York Times, the line between community colleges and four-year universities is becoming more and more blurred. Whereas community colleges were once responsible for preparing students for transfer to four-year universities and only offered two-year programs, a growing number of community colleges are now offering four-year degrees to their students. Although many college students are grateful for this gradual change, the blurring of lines between the colleges is leaving some experts within the educational community a bit concerned.

When it comes to blurring the line between community colleges and four-year degrees, the state of Florida is ahead of the pack. Currently, the state has 14 community colleges authorized to provide bachelor degree programs, with 12 colleges already running their programs. Florida isn’t the only state with community colleges offering bachelor degree programs, however, as 17 other states also having community colleges offering bachelor programs.

Advocates of expanding the program offerings at community colleges feel that doing so helps to fulfill a need within their communities. More specifically, they believe they are making a higher education possible for those who are working while going to school or for those who cannot afford to attend a traditional four-year university. Universities, however, are concerned about the community colleges taking students away from their facilities while also potentially “watering down” the quality of education and providing a unneeded service.

“It’s clearly unnecessary,” said Mike Boulus, who is the executive director of a group representing the four-year universities, said in the New York Times article. “Community colleges should stick with the important work they do extremely well, offering two-year degrees and preparing students for transfer to four-year schools.”

Other critics are concerned that community colleges will ultimately drive up the costs of earning a bachelor’s degree, but supporters disagree.

“We supply the area’s nurses and the teachers, and we respond quickly to new work force needs in our community, training people for real jobs,” said Dr. Eduardo J. Padron, who is the president of Miami Dade College. “You won’t see us starting a B.A. in sociology. We’re offering degrees in things the universities don’t want to do.”

There is certainly no arguing that Miami Dade College has been able to successfully reach a number of students who may not have otherwise been able to attend college. According to Padron, 80% of the community college’s students are working while attending school and 58% are from low-income families. In addition, the school’s doors remain open to anyone in the community.

“Our is a mission of rescue,” continued Dr. Padron. “The universities that handpick their students based on SATs and grades get three times the funding we do. We are the underfunded overachiever.”