HLSCC plans accounting degree as bachelor's expansion continues

H. Lavity Stoutt Community College is moving forward with plans to offer a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, the institution's second bachelor's programme as it broadens its higher education portfolio across the Virgin Islands.

HLSCC President Dr. Richard Georges outlined the proposal during an October 28 appearance on Virgin Islands Voice, where he discussed the college's academic direction alongside Education Minister Honourable Sharie B. de Castro. The college remains in early planning for the accounting offering, which will be built to meet standards established by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).

The structure is intended to enable graduates to gain exemptions from specific ACCA examinations, shortening their route to professional accounting credentials. When selecting new programmes, Dr. Georges said the college weighs student interest, what the local economy requires, staff capacity and costs.

The accounting degree follows HLSCC's inaugural bachelor's programme in Elementary Education, which enrolled 10 students when it opened in September 2026 and received accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Minister de Castro stressed the value of building programmes tailored to the Territory's employment landscape, allowing residents to complete degrees at home rather than abroad. HLSCC maintains transfer agreements with four UK universities: London Metropolitan University, the University of Westminster, Richmond American University and the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering. These pathways allow qualified students to continue their studies overseas.

The college's expansion reflects priorities set out in the Government's 2027 Budget Address, which identified bachelor's degree growth, distance and online learning, and technical and vocational training as development targets for HLSCC.