A proposal to allow bachelor\u2019s degrees requiring 90 credit hours instead of 120 is drawing attention following the Florida Board of Governors\u2019 March meeting.<\/p>\n
While the BOG meeting<\/a> covered a wide range of topics, including presidential searches and artificial intelligence in higher education, the possibility of reduced credit-hour degrees has also emerged as a prominent discussion for Florida\u2019s universities.<\/p>\n State requirements and next steps<\/p>\n Currently, Florida requires 120 credit hours for a bachelor\u2019s degree unless the Board of Governors grants an exception<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, out-of-state institutions have already begun offering programs with fewer requirements, prompting the Florida BOG to explore whether similar programs could be offered.<\/p>\n \u200bDuring the March meeting, Dr. Lynn Nelson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Innovation, gave an overview<\/a> of what the board should consider if the Florida State University System decides to offer bachelor\u2019s degrees with fewer credit hours.<\/p>\n \u200b\u201cFollowing the meeting, board staff will plan to work with universities on establishing criteria and a process for programs with fewer than 120 credit hours,\u201d said Nelson. \u201cThis will be included in a board regulation, which we plan to present to the board in June. If approved, universities would be able to submit program proposals for consideration in the fall.\u201d<\/p>\n What it could mean for UNF students<\/p>\n UNF has something similar to a reduced credit hour degree, which is the accelerated bachelor\u2019s to master\u2019s degree pathway<\/a>. This path allows students to enroll in up to 12 hours of graduate coursework that will count towards both their graduate and baccalaureate degrees.<\/p>\n During the March BOG meeting, UNF Interim President Angela \u200bFalconetti<\/a> said that UNF is exploring bachelor\u2019s degrees with fewer credit hours, with a focus on meeting workforce needs.<\/p>\n One UNF student, senior Lacie North, said she thinks reduced credit hour degrees could change a lot of things for students after graduation.<\/p>\n \u201cHow would these [90-credit-hour] degrees compare to a 120-hour degree when it comes to resumes for jobs and grad school applications? I think it completely changes the value of a degree,\u201d said North.<\/p>\n Another student, psychology major Morgan Minardi, said reduced credit hour degrees may be affordable, but could have downsides.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sure it\u2019s a great, affordable option, but I think it\u2019s hard to tell if a student getting a reduced credit hour degree will come away with as much learned as someone who has an extra year of coursework,\u201d Minardi said.<\/p>\n Reduced credit hour degrees across the U.S.<\/p>\n \u200bNationally, multiple other institutions offer reduced credit hour degrees<\/a>, mainly for workforce-focused and technical fields, rather than traditional liberal arts.\u00a0<\/p>\n Institutions like Northern Arizona University and Utah Valley University are offering reduced credit hour degrees in engineering technology, hospitality business administration and emergency services.<\/p>\n The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is responsible for accrediting the majority of reduced credit-hour bachelor\u2019s degrees across the nation. The HLC is currently in the process<\/a> of becoming UNF\u2019s new accrediting body.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n