Keyano College has added two more degree programs in order to assist the local community and provide programs that are relevant in the area. This means that students can choose from 4 different degree programs now instead of the previous two. The school explained that the new programs were added to meet local demand. The new programs are the Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and the Bachelor of Business Administration degrees. According to Keyano College academic affairs vice-president Catherine Koch “The employability is better with a degree level than the diploma level in our local market.” Keyano School of Arts, Science, Business, and Education Dean Guy Harmer said “We have had a diploma in Environmental Technology for a while. And all of (our advisory board) told us that they would prefer to have bachelor’s degrees.”

The advisory board of Keyano College which recommended the new degree programs is made up of industry partner representatives. This includes representatives from Syncrude, Suncor, and other oil and energy companies that operate in the area. Both of the new degree programs are offered in partnership with Alberta Universities. Harmer explained “We’ve been building this room with giant 80-inch monitors, so you’ll be able to see the professor in the class at Mount Royal and they’ll be able to see us. When you ask a question, your face fills one of the monitors…in that way, you always see whose talking, as you would in a normal classroom. We’re interested in having a set of programs that you can finish at the baccalaureate level so that you don’t have to leave town. When you’re sending people away, chances are they might not come back.”