Two yr. college offers four yr. degrees

GAUTIER, Miss. (WALA) - MORE DEGREES NEEDED

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is expanding. The school will soon offer four-year degree programs through the University of South Alabama . It couldn't come at a better time as the bad economy has created huge increases in enrollment.

John Kihyet is studying for refinery work at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. When he's done he would like a good job, but he's worried.

"The economy is bad," Kihyet said. "I would like to stay in school two more years if I don't get a job. Work for a four year degree."

Kihyet will have that opportunity without having to leave the campus. Starting this summer the University of South Alabama will offer three different bachelor degrees at the community college. It's good timing for the students and the school.

BAD ECONOMY = MORE STUDENTS

The floundering economy has meant a big boom in the number of students going to community college. At Mississippi Gulf Coast the enrollment has gone up by more than ten percent.

"When the economy goes down, community college enrollment goes up," school Vice President Jason Pugh said.

Pugh said the economy has had a big impact on what employers are looking for and the programs being offered will be focused on those needs.

"Someone has to be ready and able to move quickly to retrain these workers to get them prepared for those new ways of doing business and that's our goal here at the community college," Pugh said.

Students will be able to get bachelors in Business, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Health Information Systems. All degrees with good job prospects.

Student Amanda Coyle said competition will force more students to get higher degrees.

"More and more people are realizing that education is a good thing and the way society is going you probably couldn't be a ditch digger without even an associates," Coyle said.

And it's that competition for jobs that will keep driving more students back to school.