Dixie College wants to offer more degrees

ST. GEORGE — Dixie State College is seeking approval from the Utah Board of Regents to add more four-year degrees to its current offering of four baccalaureate programs.

The college board of trustees recently approved a proposal to pursue baccalaureate degrees in criminal justice, dental hygiene, English/English education and biology/biology education. Also approved is a secondary teacher licensure program to prepare students to teach English and biology at the junior and senior high school levels.

"These degrees currently on the table are core to the county's economic development foundation," said DSC President Lee Caldwell. "This community is desperate for these degrees."

The current emphasis on teaching degrees is due in part to Washington County School District, which needs an additional 1,000 teachers over the next four years. Enrollment in the district this year is at an all-time high with 23,159 students attending 32 schools around the county.

"This community can't grow and thrive without teachers," said Caldwell, who recently assumed DSC's presidency following the retirement of Bob Huddleston.

Over the next five years the school district will build as many as five new schools, two intermediate and three elementary schools, to accommodate future growth. Even more could be needed, according to Superintendent Max Rose.

Dixie State College also chocked up more student numbers this year with overall enrollment topping out at 9,114 students, said Phil Alletto, vice president of student services.

"This is our largest fall third-week enrollment total in our history," Alletto said. "It certainly is an indication of our growing reputation for quality throughout Utah and the western U.S."

In June 2005 the regents approved a new mission statement for the college, which paved the way for more four-year programs. Right now the college offers degrees in business administration, computer and information technology, elementary education, nursing and, its newest four-year degree, communication and new media.

Caldwell said the college would focus on offering a core portfolio of about 10 degrees, such as English and languages, biology and life sciences, history, education and several others.