Edison has filed a letter of intent with the Florida Department of Education stating the school's desire to introduce four more baccalaureate degrees. The programs target the environment, health care and education - career fields projected to show significant growth in Southwest Florida.

Three years ago, Edison didn't offer a single bachelor's degree. It now has six, plus four in the works to be introduced within one to three years. The Legislature's designation of Edison as a "state college" means students won't have to transfer in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree.

"You don't have to just come here for two years, start and stop, and then start somewhere else," said Noreen Thomas, Edison district executive vice president and Lee County campus president. "When you transfer somewhere else for your third and fourth year, it breaks up your educational process."

Sophomore Lamonica Hughes, 22, expected Edison to be a two-year stop, but the college's decision to add a bachelor's-level nursing program meant the Lehigh Acres resident wouldn't have to fork out top-dollar at a university or leave the comforts of home.

"It works out perfect for me," said Hughes, a graduate of Immokalee High School. "I won't have to switch schools for the bachelor's degree."

Edison's proposal calls for new four-year degrees in:

- Cardiopulmonary Sciences

- Health Science (with concentrations in respiratory therapy and pre-physician assistant)

- Integrated Studies (with concentrations in environmental management, environmental health, ecotourism and green building/alternative energy)

- Middle School Education (specializing in mathematics, science and language arts instruction)

Edison has strong associate-level courses in health and education, but environment-focused classes within the integrated studies degree would require a new curriculum and faculty.

Steve Atkins, vice president of student and academic services, said Edison is preparing for what Southwest Florida will need in its future, in addition to what it needs now.

"It's like Wayne Gretzky said when asked about why he was so good," Atkins said. "You always skate to where the hockey puck will be, not to where it is.

"That's what we've done at the college."