DICKINSON (AP) - The state Board of Higher Education has approved a four-year degree program at Bismarck State College after assurances that it is not the start of turning the two-year college into a four-year school.

BSC plans to start offering the bachelors degree in energy management next fall. It now offers a two-year energy degree.

"Bismarck State College has done a good job of documenting the student and employer demand (for this program)," said Michel Hillman, the state university vice chancellor for academic and student affairs. He also said the Bismarck campus is the only one in the university system that is prepared to offer the energy management degree.

BSC officials said earlier that the idea came from private industry, and that the courses will be offered online.

Board member Bruce Christianson asked at the meeting Thursday whether other campus presidents had approved the idea of a four-year program at a two-year college. He was told there was unanimous support for the BSC proposal.

Hillman said BSC would have to get board permission to offer any other upper-division courses. He said more community colleges are offering a few four-year programs.

"I think BSC will continue to look at itself as a community college, but by the way, offers a four-year program," Hillman said.