OKLAHOMA CITY – Requests from three state universities to offer four reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees, which require between 90 and 103 credit hours to complete, were approved Thursday by the State Regents for Higher Education. A traditional baccalaureate requires a minimum of 120 credit hours.
“Reduced-credit bachelor’s degree programs represent an innovative path to help Oklahomans launch their careers faster while reducing college costs,” said State Regents’ Chair Courtney Warmington. “As we explored the potential viability and value of 90hour bachelor’s degrees, this board has carefully weighed academic rigor, employer expectations, accreditation requirements, and affordability for students and families.”
The approved programs are:
•University of Oklahoma: Bachelor of Applied Studies in Social Work.
•Oklahoma State University: Bachelor of Applied Science in Artificial Intelligence, and Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Essentials and Applications.
•Rogers State University: Bachelor of Applied Science in Workforce Development.
“To meet Oklahoma’s changing workforce demands, we need more degree holders in critical fields – and our Governor, Legislature, State Regents, and institutions are answering the call,” said Chancellor Sean Burrage.
“Oklahoma is emerging as a national leader in higher education innovation,” he said. “These strategically constructed 90-hour bachelor’s degrees will allow students to gain the knowledge and skills they need more quickly, strengthening the talent pipeline for high-demand industries and occupations sooner.”
Earlier this year, Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Executive Order 202608 directed the State Regents to conduct a feasibility study of reduced-credit bachelor’s degree programs. The study, which was presented to the State Regents at their March 26 meeting, examined accreditation standards, workforce alignment, affordability, transferability, and other policy considerations.
The feasibility study concluded that reduced-credit bachelor’s degree programs could potentially be implemented within Oklahoma’s public higher education system under a limited and structured framework, particularly in applied, workforce- aligned disciplines. For State Regents’ consideration, institutional proposals to offer 90-hour bachelor’s degrees must meet not only general requirements for program approval outlined in the policy – including alignment with institutional function and accreditation, established program enrollment and graduation targets, and demonstrated workforce and student demand – but also several specialized criteria.
Among other requirements, proposals for 90-hour bachelor’s degrees must outline a clear rationale and delivery plan for a reduced-credit structure, including learning outcomes, assessment methods, and instructional design; demonstrate the program addresses a critical industry, state, or regional workforce gap; and define student and employer demand and post-graduation employment opportunities, including implications for professional licensure and applicability to graduate degree programs.
Mike W. Ray is afifth-generation, award-winning journalist who has more than 55years’ experience covering municipal, county, state and federal government in Oklahoma and Texas. He can be reached at mike. ray@swoknews. com.