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An emerging and somewhat controversial approach to address teacher shortages is the development of a baccalaureate degree in teacher education offered and awarded by a community college. Several states have authorized community colleges to develop teacher education programs as well as other select baccalaureate programs in response to local or statewide workforce needs and/or to improve access to the baccalaureate degree in regions where university or other four-year options are limited.

While these community colleges maintain their primary identity as two-year schools, upper division courses in select baccalaureate fields are developed and offered by the community college with their own faculty. This is different from the university center (link) model where upper division courses leading to the baccalaureate degree are offered by four-year institutions on the community college campus.

Advocates for community college baccalaureates argue that the new programs are necessary in order to meet workforce demands in critical fields and to provide degree access for more students. Opponents express concerns about the potential dilution of the community college mission, the development of new degree programs that duplicate and compete with existing university programs and the ability of community colleges to meet the increased quality standards being imposed on all teacher education programs.