Tulsa Community College is on its way to offering its first bachelor’s degree.
The Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education approved the college’s Bachelor of Science in Child Development degree Wednesday. TCC previously only offered two-year associate’s degree programs to its 20,000-plus students.
The college plans to offer the new program in fall 2026, provided it gets final approval from its accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, in the coming months.
TCC says the degree will prepare more students to work with children from birth to age 5, with the goal of reducing persistent shortages of early childhood educators across the state.
Courses will be available in person and online, offering students “stackable credentials,” fieldwork and practicum experiences.
“This degree strengthens the early childhood workforce at a time when Oklahoma needs it most,” TCC President and CEO Leigh Goodson said in a statement. “Research consistently shows that the first five years of a child’s life shape long-term learning. Families, childcare providers and employers all benefit when we invest in the people who support young children during their most formative years.”
A new state law permitted the community college to expand its offerings to include a four-year degree program. Senate Bill 701 opened the door to a more competitive market in Tulsa this fall, giving students more choices and schools — including campuses like OSU-Tulsa — fewer restrictions.
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