JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A day after announcing it would soon offer bachelor degrees, officials at Florida Community College at Jacksonville said word has spread quickly and their phones have been ringing off the hook.

The community college is expanding its curriculum by adding new bachelor degrees in business, computer networking and nursing.

“Our College continues to grow, innovate and expand its mission. Even as Florida faces financial challenges, we are proud and fortunate to be able to provide the education to pursue the careers and jobs that are critical to the workforce of the region,” said Dr. Donald Green, FCCJ executive vice president. "Approval by the State Board of Education for Florida Community College to offer these three new bachelors degrees is an exceptional event for the college and the community as well.”

Space in the new programs will be limited when they first begin in the fall, but the school said it would offer some local students an alternative to higher-priced universities.

In fall 2008, FCCJ is expecting to place 24 students in the nursing program, 60 in networking and 35 in supervision and management program.

Although the program is smaller now, FCCJ President Steven Wallace said the idea is to eventually expand.

"The essence of a community college's mission is to provide access. Access for students throughout our community, and new degrees are part of that," Wallace said.

The tuition will be about $73 per credit hour, which Wallace said is more than what a student would pay for an associate's degree credit but less than what would be paid at a full-fledged university.

"Florida is on the forefront in America in authorizing community colleges to expand their mission of offering bachelor's degrees," Wallace said.

For more information on programs at Florida Community College, visit or call 904-646-2300.