Scottsdale CC builds pathway to four-year degree

SCC Builds a Bridge From the Kitchen to the Corner Office

If you've ever wondered whether that culinary arts certificate could lead to something bigger, Scottsdale Community College just answered with a resounding yes.

SCC has launched the Bridge2Bachelor's Program, an initiative that creates a direct pathway from hands-on workforce training programs to a full bachelor's degree. Hospitality management and culinary arts are the first programs to integrate with the new pathway, which feeds directly into SCC's Bachelor of Business Administration in Management.

The timing is no accident. SCC's BBA program launched in fall 2025 and immediately attracted 520 students in its inaugural cohort, signaling massive demand for affordable four-year degrees right here in our backyard. The Bridge2Bachelor's initiative builds on that momentum by ensuring students who start in workforce-focused associate programs don't hit a dead end when they want to advance.

Here's how it works. Students first complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in their chosen workforce field. Those credits then apply directly toward the BBA, meaning nobody has to start over or watch hard-earned coursework disappear into a transfer black hole. The model creates stackable credentials, so students can work in their field while continuing to climb the academic ladder.

The program also comes with built-in support including academic advising, individualized course planning, and access to SCC's bachelor's degree tuition structure, which starts at just $97 per credit hour.

For a Valley region where hospitality and food service are major economic drivers, this is a particularly smart play. The median salary for a manager in Scottsdale holding a bachelor's degree sits at roughly $82,000 according to ZipRecruiter.

SCC President Eric Leshinskie called the program a reflection of the college's core identity as a place where students can build real skills and then take the next step with confidence.

For the roughly 10,000 students who call SCC home, that next step just got a whole lot clearer.

Sources: AZ Digital Free Press | Scottsdale CC | Maricopa Colleges | SCC Featured Programs