Moraine Park Technical College is celebrating a first-of-its-kind partnership with Yavapai College in Prescott, AZ. Together, they are the first two-year institutions in the nation to offer a three-year, 92-credit optimized degree, Bachelor of Applied Science in Business (BASB).
Launched in fall 2025, Yavapai Community College became the first community college in the nation to be approved for a three-year, reduced credit baccalaureate degree. Moraine Park’s Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Fred Rice, learned of the opportunity and immediately made a connection with leaders at Yavapai.
“We have been ready and waiting for the right opportunity to partner with an institution that offers our students a clear and easy pathway to achieving a reduced-credit bachelor’s degree,” Rice said. “We quickly learned that our institutions have a lot of similarities–in addition to being a top-ranked college in Arizona, they understand the unique needs of two-year college students. It’s clearly a win-win, and we are excited to offer a three-year baccalaureate degree.”
Starting April 1, students can enroll at Moraine Park in the Associate of Arts (AA) program, where they will complete a two-year associate degree with a business focus. After graduating, students can seamlessly transfer to Yavapai College to complete their BASB fully online in eight-week courses. The 92-credit, optimized degree structure is intended to help students complete a high-quality bachelor’s credential in less time than traditional pathways, while maintaining strong academic expectations and career-relevant learning outcomes.
Yavapai leaders understand the need for access to affordable education. Like Moraine Park, they work to ensure tuition remains affordable for learners of any age and are proud to offer their one-year BASB at an affordable tuition with no additional fees, such as textbooks or materials.
“This articulation agreement with Moraine Park Technical College represents an innovative model for how institutions can strengthen transfer pathways and improve bachelor’s degree completion,” Yavapai College President, Dr. Lisa Rhine, said. “By aligning programs and expectations, we are ensuring students can transition smoothly into Yavapai College’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and graduate with confidence and clarity.”
Together, Moraine Park and Yavapai College are not only spearheading many firsts in the two-year college realm, but they are also paving the way for students for years to come.
For more information, visit morainepark.edu/apply.
