Gulf Coast Community College has decided to seek a state college designation, which would give the college the opportunity to offer bachelor degree programs.

Some believe the move could create friction and competition between gulf coast and the Florida State University Panama City campus for students.

Gulf Coast president Dr. Jim Kerley says he believes the change will give panhandle students different options that will compliment FSU-PC's programs.

Kerley said, "Gets the wheels rolling far as Gulf Coast Community College to offer selected baccalaureate degrees. Mainly workforce positions."

Dr. Kerley says Gulf Coast isn't changing its mission, or becoming a full time four year institution.

Instead, it will offer degrees that students can't currently get in Panama City.

"There's a void, we looked at research, the lack of baccalaureate degrees in workforce related areas, it areas....universities are not that willing to offer those degrees so I think community colleges can step in and offer those degrees," added Kerley.

He doesn't expect this change to affect the relationship with FSU-PC.

"We value our cooperative effort between us and Florida State. That's very very important to us and our area. We have a very strong relationship with our connect program so we want to keep that in tact... The point of reference is that Florida State is not able to offer all the degrees that are necessary for the local area, for the workforce we have. So I think a community college can come in and offer some of those baccalaureate degrees."

Kerley says the college will target information technology, logistics, and alternative energy majors.

He's hoping to present a letter of intent, spelling-out the baccalaureate degree programs, to the board of trustees for approval in October.

If trustees adopt the letter of intent, it would then go to the Florida Department of Education for approval.

If that happens, Dr. Kerley says gulf coast could begin offering the first bachelors degrees in January 2011.