Long Beach City College (LBCC) received official approval to
offer the college’s first-ever bachelor’s degree, a Bachelor of
Science in Library & Information Science. This groundbreaking
program marks LBCC’s first baccalaureate offering, and the only
Library & Information Science bachelor’s degree to be offered by
any community college in the United States.
“Today marks a bold step forward not only for Long Beach City
College, but for accessible higher education nationwide,” said
Uduak-Joe Ntuk, President of the Long Beach Community College
District Board of Trustees. “By launching the nation’s first
community college bachelor’s degree in Library & Information
Science, LBCC is redefining what’s possible, expanding economic
opportunities, strengthening workforce pathways, and reaffirming
our commitment to delivering high-value, affordable four-year
degrees that meet the evolving needs of students and our region.”
“This is a historic academic moment for Long Beach City College,”
said Dr. Mike Muñoz, LBCC Superintendent-President. “Our new
bachelor’s degree offers an affordable pathway into a rapidly
evolving field, with forward-looking coursework in areas such as
artificial intelligence and emerging information technologies.
This milestone reflects the power of innovation and
collaboration, and I am incredibly proud of the team whose
dedication made it possible.”
The program’s development reflects more than a year of research,
collaboration, and innovative academic planning. The college
submitted a comprehensive 16-part application to the California
Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. This rigorous process
included labor market analysis, employer outreach, consultation
with peer institutions, evaluation of program duplication with
CSU and UC systems, and early design of upper-division
curriculum.
As part of the approval process, LBCC demonstrated that the
degree does not overlap with programs at other local
universities. No bachelor’s-level Library & Information Science
program currently exists in the region, ensuring that LBCC’s new
baccalaureate complements, rather than competes with, the
educational offerings of our Long Beach College Promise partners.
The new bachelor’s degree addresses a growing statewide and
national workforce need for trained library and information
science professionals. It also creates a clear, affordable
pathway for students pursuing master’s-level studies in
librarianship, the credential required for many librarian
positions. With curriculum that anticipates the future of the
field, including coursework in AI, digital preservation, and
information technologies, LBCC students will be well-positioned
for careers in libraries, archives, education, research, and
information management.
It is anticipated that the college will begin accepting
applications for the new program in spring 2027.
About Long Beach City College
Long Beach City College
consists of two campuses with an enrollment of over 35,000
students each semester and serves the cities of Long Beach,
Lakewood, Signal Hill, and Avalon. LBCC promotes equitable
student learning and achievement, academic excellence, and
workforce development by delivering high quality educational
programs and support services to our diverse communities. Visit
www.LBCC.edu for more information
about Long Beach City College.
MEDIA CONTACT
Stacey Toda,
Director of Communications & Community Engagement
Long Beach City College
stoda@lbcc.edu
(562) 938-4004