Lake Tahoe Community College and Brandman University are hosting free information sessions this week about a four-year degree option coming to the South Lake Tahoe campus this fall.

The two-year community college and the private nonprofit university will offer a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, leading to a multiple subject teaching credential. This bachelor’s degree, which can be earned entirely on LTCC’s South Shore campus in the Lisa Maloff University Center, will start Sept. 4.

California is in the midst of a teacher crisis, with thousands of K-12 teaching positions left unfilled. The state has an annual shortage of 40,000 fewer teaching credentials being issued than is required to meet its K-12 teaching needs. Locally, the Lake Tahoe Unified School District has hired nearly 80 teachers in the past five years to keep up with the demand.

There will be information sessions about the program in LTCC’s Student Center on May 1 from noon-1pm and 5-6:30pm, and May 2 from 5:30-7pm. Information is also available by calling 916.789.6901, or email Amy Crown at acrown@brandman.edu or Barbara Bartels at bartels@brandman.edu.