Second Regular Session of the 123rd General Assembly (2024)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
between statutes enacted by the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
SENATE ENROLLED ACT No. 8
AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning higher education.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
SECTION 1. IC 20-30-5-25 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
1, 2024]: Sec. 25. (a) This section applies to a high school that is:
(1) a public school, including a charter school;
(2) a state accredited nonpublic school; or
(3) an eligible school (as defined in IC 20-51-1-4.7).
(b) Each high school shall do one (1) of the following:
(1) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, offer the
Indiana college core developed under IC 21-42-3 in the high
school's curriculum for high school students.
(2) Not later than October 1, 2024, submit an implementation
plan to the commission for higher education, in a manner
prescribed by the commission for higher education, to offer
the Indiana college core developed under IC 21-42-3 in the
high school's curriculum for high school students by the
2025-2026 school year.
(3) Not later than October 1, 2024, submit a detailed
implementation plan to the commission for higher education,
in a manner prescribed by the commission for higher
education, to offer the Indiana college core developed under
IC 21-42-3 in the high school's curriculum for high school
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students by the 2026-2027 school year.
(4) Not later than October 1, 2024, submit an Indiana college
core feasibility report to the commission for higher education
in accordance with IC 21-42-3-6 if the high school does not
plan to offer the Indiana college core by the 2026-2027 school
year.
(c) This section expires July 1, 2026.
SECTION 2. IC 20-30-16-14 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
[EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 14. Not later than July 1, 2025,
the department shall partner with state educational institutions or
approved postsecondary educational institutions (as defined in
IC 21-7-13-6(a)) to provide online access to the Indiana college core
developed under IC 21-42-3 through the course access program
implemented under this chapter.
SECTION 3. IC 20-32-4-19 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
1, 2024]: Sec. 19. (a) Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, if
a student successfully completes an eligible course under the
Indiana college core (as described in IC 21-42-3), the student is
entitled to secondary credit toward graduation requirements for
each course the student successfully completes at the:
(1) state educational institution; or
(2) approved postsecondary educational institution (as defined
in IC 21-7-13-6(a)).
(b) A student's high school transcript must reflect that the
secondary credits described under subsection (a) were earned at:
(1) a state educational institution; or
(2) an approved postsecondary educational institution (as
defined in IC 21-7-13-6(a)).
SECTION 4. IC 20-36-6-6, AS ADDED BY P.L.216-2021,
SECTION 38, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 6. (a) Successful completion of a Cambridge
International course shall count as high school credit towards
completing Indiana graduation requirements.
(b) Any rule adopted by the state board or the department
concerning an Indiana diploma with a Core 40 with academic honors
designation must provide that a successfully completed Cambridge
International Advanced A or AS Level course is credited toward
fulfilling the requirements of an Indiana diploma with a Core 40 with
academic honors designation.
(c) If a student who takes a Cambridge International Advanced A or
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AS Level examination receives a score of "E" or higher on the
examination, the student is entitled to receive postsecondary level
academic credit at a state educational institution that counts toward
meeting the student's degree requirements if the elective credit is part
of the student's degree requirements. Credit equivalencies, including
the Indiana College Core (as described in IC 21-42-3), for all
Cambridge International Advanced A and AS Level examinations
must be:
(1) updated annually and sent by each state educational
institution to the commission for higher education by June 1
each year; and
(2) posted by the state educational institution on the
institution's website by July 1 each year.
The commission for higher education shall post these annually
updated credit equivalencies on the commission for higher
education's student transfer of credit portal by July 1 each year.
(d) The state educational institution may require a score higher than
a score of "E" on a Cambridge International Advanced A or AS level
exam if the credit is to be used for meeting a course requirement for a
particular major at the state educational institution.
SECTION 5. IC 21-41-13 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2024]:
Chapter 13. Reverse Transfer Program for Community College
Associate Degrees
Sec. 1. The definitions in IC 21-43-1 apply throughout this
chapter.
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "program" means the reverse
transfer associate degree program established by section 5 of this
chapter.
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "reverse transfer eligible former
student" means an individual formerly enrolled in a baccalaureate
degree program at a state educational institution who meets the
following requirements:
(1) The individual has not previously received an associate or
a baccalaureate degree.
(2) The individual has earned at least fifteen (15) credit hours
from Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University.
(3) The individual has earned a total of at least seventy (70)
credit hours toward an associate degree from one (1) or any
combination of the following:
(A) Prior enrollment in Ivy Tech Community College or
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Vincennes University.
(B) Credits that were earned during high school as
postsecondary credit through a:
(i) dual credit course;
(ii) dual enrollment course; or
(iii) similar early college program.
(C) Prior enrollment in a baccalaureate degree program of
a state educational institution in which the individual:
(i) did not complete the baccalaureate degree program;
(ii) has not been enrolled in the baccalaureate degree
program in the two (2) immediately preceding
consecutive academic terms or traditional semesters;
and
(iii) was enrolled in the baccalaureate degree program at
any time within the past ten (10) years.
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "reverse transfer eligible
undergraduate student" means an individual currently enrolled in
a baccalaureate degree program at a state educational institution
who meets the following requirements:
(1) The individual has not previously received an associate or
a baccalaureate degree.
(2) The individual has earned at least fifteen (15) credit hours
from Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University.
(3) The individual has earned a total of at least seventy (70)
credit hours toward an associate degree from one (1) or any
combination of the following:
(A) Prior enrollment in Ivy Tech Community College or
Vincennes University.
(B) Credits that were earned during high school as
postsecondary credit through a:
(i) dual credit course;
(ii) dual enrollment course; or
(iii) similar early college program.
(C) Current enrollment in a baccalaureate degree program
of a state educational institution.
Sec. 5. (a) The reverse transfer associate degree program is
established to provide a uniform, statewide policy for Ivy Tech
Community College and Vincennes University to award associate
degrees to:
(1) reverse transfer eligible undergraduate students; and
(2) reverse transfer eligible former students;
through the reverse transfer of applicable credit hours in an
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efficient and timely manner at no cost to the undergraduate and
former students under this chapter.
(b) The commission for higher education shall administer the
program.
(c) Subject to the policy established under section 6 of this
chapter, Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University, as
applicable, shall determine whether an individual is a:
(1) reverse transfer eligible undergraduate student; or
(2) reverse transfer eligible former student.
Sec. 6. Not later than June 30, 2025, the commission for higher
education, in consultation with each state educational institution,
shall establish a policy to at least semiannually identify and notify
an individual who is a:
(1) reverse transfer eligible undergraduate student; or
(2) reverse transfer eligible former student;
of the voluntary option to receive an associate degree from Ivy
Tech Community College or Vincennes University, as applicable,
at no cost.
Sec. 7. A state educational institution may not award or confer
an associate degree under this chapter or through any similar
reverse transfer process without the informed and written consent
of the:
(1) reverse transfer eligible undergraduate student; or
(2) reverse transfer eligible former student.
Sec. 8. (a) Each state educational institution shall provide to the
commission for higher education, in a format and frequency
prescribed by the commission for higher education and in
accordance with state and federal privacy laws, the following
information:
(1) The number of reverse transfer degrees awarded,
disaggregated by:
(A) state educational institution campus;
(B) program of study; and
(C) any other category as required by the commission for
higher education.
(2) Information regarding the individuals who have been
contacted and associate degree audits conducted for the
purposes of reverse transfer under this chapter.
(3) Information regarding which individuals received an
associate degree through reverse transfer under this chapter.
(b) Each state educational institution shall provide the
commission for higher education with any additional information
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necessary to implement this chapter, as determined by the
commission for higher education.
Sec. 9. The commission for higher education may consider an
associate degree awarded under this chapter in reference to both:
(1) Ivy Tech Community College or Vincennes University, as
applicable; and
(2) the state educational institution in which the individual
awarded the associate degree by Ivy Tech Community College
or Vincennes University subsequently enrolled;
for the purposes of the higher educational operating funding
outcomes based formula created by the commission for higher
education under IC 21-18-16-2.
Sec. 10. Neither the commission for higher education nor a state
educational institution may include an associate degree awarded
under this chapter or through any similar reverse transfer process
in graduation rate calculations or similar completion rate
measures for a particular state educational institution.
Sec. 11. The commission for higher education may adopt rules
under IC 4-22-2 to implement this chapter.
SECTION 6. IC 21-41-14 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2024]:
Chapter 14. Exploring Associate Degrees for Four Year State
Educational Institutions
Sec. 1. This chapter does not apply to Ivy Tech Community
College or Vincennes University.
Sec. 2. The definitions in IC 21-43-1 apply throughout this
chapter.
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "eligible current student" means
an individual currently enrolled in a baccalaureate degree
program at the main campus or a regional campus of a state
educational institution who meets the following requirements:
(1) The individual has not previously received an associate or
a baccalaureate degree.
(2) The individual did not transfer from another college or
university, including a community college, where the
individual earned fifteen (15) or more credit hours. Any
academic credits granted by another college or university,
including a community college, that were earned during high
school as postsecondary credit through a:
(A) dual credit course;
(B) dual enrollment course; or
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(C) similar early college program;
are not counted as credit hours for purposes of determining
whether an individual earned fifteen (15) or more credit hours
under this subdivision.
(3) The individual has earned at least seventy (70) credit
hours, which must include:
(A) the general education core course requirements of the
state educational institution; and
(B) completion of all other courses required for a
particular associate degree approved by the commission
for higher education under IC 21-41-2-2.
Sec. 4. As used in this chapter, "eligible former student" means
an individual formerly enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program
at the main campus or regional campus of a state educational
institution who meets the following requirements:
(1) The individual has not previously received an associate or
a baccalaureate degree.
(2) The individual did not transfer from or to another college
or university, including a community college, where the
individual earned fifteen (15) or more credit hours. Any
academic credits granted by another college or university,
including a community college, that were earned during high
school as postsecondary credit through a:
(A) dual credit course;
(B) dual enrollment course; or
(C) similar early college program;
are not counted as credit hours for purposes of determining
whether an individual earned fifteen (15) or more credit hours
under this subdivision.
(3) The individual has not been enrolled in the baccalaureate
degree program in the two (2) immediately preceding
consecutive academic terms or traditional semesters.
(4) The individual was enrolled in the baccalaureate degree
program at any time within the past ten (10) years.
(5) The individual earned at least seventy (70) credit hours,
which must include:
(A) the general education core course requirements of the
state educational institution; and
(B) completion of all other courses required for a
particular associate degree approved by the commission
for higher education under IC 21-41-2-2.
Sec. 5. Not later than June 30, 2025, each state educational
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institution shall, for each main campus and regional campus of the
state educational institution, prepare and submit a report to the
commission for higher education, in a format prescribed by the
commission for higher education, that includes information
regarding a determination by the state educational institution of
the feasibility and advisability of establishing and conferring
associate degrees to:
(1) eligible current students; and
(2) eligible former students;
attending each campus.
Sec. 6. Not later than September 1, 2024, the commission for
higher education shall issue guidance regarding the information
that the state educational institution must include in the report
under section 5 of this chapter.
Sec. 7. The commission for higher education shall post the
reports submitted under this chapter on the commission for higher
education's website.
Sec. 8. The commission for higher education shall do the
following:
(1) Review all of the reports submitted by state educational
institutions under this chapter.
(2) Prepare a summary report that:
(A) includes a summary of the reports described in
subdivision (1);
(B) estimates the potential impact to approved
postsecondary educational institutions currently
conferring associate degrees; and
(C) may include recommendations regarding conferring
associate degrees to eligible current students and eligible
former students as described in section 5 of this chapter,
including recommendations regarding the following:
(i) A model statewide policy for state educational
institutions to seek approval for a particular associate
degree from the commission for higher education under
IC 21-41-2-2. The model statewide policy recommended
under this item may not include associate degrees in
general studies or a similar category.
(ii) Model policies for campuses of state educational
institutions regarding establishing and conferring
associate degrees to eligible current students and eligible
former students, which may include a process to identify
and notify eligible former students of the associate
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degree option.
(3) Not later than November 1, 2025, submit the summary
report to the:
(A) governor; and
(B) legislative council in an electronic format under
IC 5-14-6.
Sec. 9. This chapter expires July 1, 2026.
SECTION 7. IC 21-41-15 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2024]:
Chapter 15. Mandatory Three Year Degree Policy and Review
Process
Sec. 1. The definitions in IC 21-43-1 apply throughout this
chapter.
Sec. 2. (a) Not later than November 1, 2024, each state
educational institution that offers baccalaureate degrees shall
establish a policy, subject to the requirements under subsection (b),
to review each four (4) year baccalaureate degree program offered
by the state educational institution to determine the feasibility, if
any, of providing each baccalaureate degree program in a
specifically structured manner to allow a full-time student to
complete the baccalaureate degree within three (3) years.
(b) The commission for higher education shall:
(1) establish guidance for state educational institutions to
develop the policy under subsection (a); and
(2) prescribe the frequency of the review required under the
policy.
Sec. 3. (a) Not later than July 1, 2025, each state educational
institution shall offer at least one (1) baccalaureate degree program
specifically structured to allow a full-time student to complete the
baccalaureate degree program within three (3) years.
(b) A baccalaureate degree program described in subsection (a):
(1) must include specialized coaching and guidance;
(2) must include opportunities for a student to engage in
experiential and work based learning; and
(3) may not require a student to have already earned credit
hours during high school as postsecondary credit through a:
(A) dual credit course;
(B) dual enrollment course; or
(C) similar early college program.
Sec. 4. (a) Not later than November 1, 2025, and not later than
November 1 of each year thereafter, each state educational
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institution shall report to the commission for higher education, in
a form prescribed by the commission for higher education, the
following information:
(1) For the preceding academic year and the current academic
year:
(A) the number of baccalaureate degree programs
described in section 3 of this chapter offered by the state
educational institution; and
(B) the following information regarding each
baccalaureate degree program, as applicable:
(i) The program of study.
(ii) The structure of the program.
(iii) The estimated student cost savings under the
program.
(iv) The number of students enrolled in the program.
(v) The on time completion of students in the program.
(2) The findings of the most recent review by the state
educational institution under section 2 of this chapter.
(3) Potential baccalaureate degree programs that the state
educational institution is considering or developing as a
baccalaureate degree program described in section 3 of this
chapter for future academic years.
(4) Any other information requested by the commission for
higher education.
(b) The commission for higher education shall post the reports
submitted under this section on the commission for higher
education's website.
Sec. 5. The commission for higher education may consider
baccalaureate degrees completed within three (3) years for the
purposes of the higher educational operating funding outcomes
based formula created by the commission for higher education
under IC 21-18-16-2.
SECTION 8. IC 21-42-3-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.88-2012,
SECTION 2, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 2. Each state educational institution, in
collaboration with the commission for higher education, shall:
(1) not later than December 1, 2012, create and report to the
commission for higher education a statewide transfer general
education an Indiana college core, to be implemented not later
than May 15, 2013. The core must be based upon a set of core
competencies, translated into at least thirty (30) semester credit
hours in areas agreed upon by the state educational institutions,
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which apply for credit toward undergraduate degrees, including
associate degrees and baccalaureate degrees at all campuses of
state educational institutions; and
(2) jointly establish statewide standards for use by all state
educational institutions to document an individual's completion
of the statewide transfer general education Indiana college core
on the individual's transcripts.
SECTION 9. IC 21-42-3-5, AS ADDED BY P.L.88-2012,
SECTION 3, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 5. (a) After May 15, 2013, an individual who has
satisfactorily completed the statewide transfer general education
Indiana college core at a state educational institution, as indicated on
the individual's official transcript, may not be required to complete
additional courses in the statewide transfer general education Indiana
college core at the state educational institution to which the individual
transfers, regardless of whether the individual has received an associate
degree or the delivery method of the statewide transfer general
education Indiana college core the individual completed.
(b) If an individual does not complete the statewide transfer general
education Indiana college core of a state educational institution before
transferring to another state educational institution, the individual must
complete the statewide transfer general education Indiana college core
required by the state educational institution to which the individual has
transferred. The state educational institution to which the individual
has transferred shall award credit to the individual for courses the
individual has satisfactorily completed, based on the course to course
equivalencies of the core transfer library established under IC 21-42-5.
(c) An individual who holds an associate of arts or associate of
science degree approved by the commission who is admitted to a four
(4) year state educational institution is considered to have met at least
thirty (30) semester credit hours of the state educational institution's
general education requirement.
SECTION 10. IC 21-42-3-6 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
1, 2024]: Sec. 6. (a) The definitions in IC 20-18-2 apply throughout
this section.
(b) This section applies to a high school that is:
(1) a public school, including a charter school;
(2) a state accredited nonpublic school; or
(3) an eligible school (as defined in IC 20-51-1-4.7).
(c) If a high school submits to the commission for higher
education an Indiana college core feasibility report under
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IC 20-30-5-25, the high school shall submit the report, in a manner
prescribed by the commission for higher education, not later than
October 1, 2024.
(d) The commission for higher education, in collaboration with
the department, shall:
(1) review each feasibility report submitted by each high
school; and
(2) provide guidance to the applicable high school on
removing any barriers that prevent or hinder the high school
from offering the Indiana college core.
(e) Not later than December 1, 2025, the commission for higher
education shall do the following:
(1) Prepare a report regarding the following:
(A) The number of high schools that offer and the number
of high schools that do not offer the Indiana college core.
(B) The outcomes of students who earn the Indiana college
core.
(2) Submit the report prepared under subdivision (1) to the:
(A) governor; and
(B) legislative council in an electronic format under
IC 5-14-6.
SECTION 11. IC 21-42-3-7 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY
1, 2024]: Sec. 7. (a) The commission for higher education, in
coordination with the department of education and state
educational institutions, shall maintain a:
(1) list of eligible Indiana college core courses; and
(2) syllabus or course outline of record for each eligible
Indiana college core course listed under subdivision (1) that
includes the following:
(A) A brief description of the course learning objectives.
(B) A list of any required or recommended reading.
(C) A general description of the subject matter of the
course content.
(D) A date indicating when the copy of the syllabus or
course outline of record was last updated.
(b) The commission for higher education, in coordination with
the department of education and state educational institutions,
shall establish a process to ensure that the list and syllabi or course
outlines of record described in subsection (a) are:
(1) reasonably accurate and current; and
(2) posted and updated on the websites of the commission for
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higher education and the department of education.
SECTION 12. IC 21-42-6-4, AS ADDED BY P.L.120-2013,
SECTION 10, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 4. (a) Each state educational institution, in
collaboration with the commission for higher education, shall, not later
than July 1, 2014, work together to create a single articulation pathway
for each programmatic area specified in subsection (b)(2), and
implement the single articulation pathways not later than May 15,
2015, for students entering state educational institutions in the fall of
2015.
(b) The state educational institutions, in collaboration with the
commission for higher education, shall:
(1) determine the programmatic areas in which to develop single
articulation pathways to degrees;
(2) develop single articulation pathways for programmatic areas
in which significant numbers of students may first obtain an
associate of science or an associate of arts degree with the intent
of obtaining a related baccalaureate degree; and
(3) take into account emerging innovations in technology and
practices implemented by the state educational institutions from
which a student transfers.
(c) The single articulation pathways must:
(1) incorporate the statewide transfer general education Indiana
college core developed under IC 21-42-3-2;
(2) match complementary competencies and learning outcomes
for both associate and baccalaureate degrees;
(3) allow a student who completes an associate degree for which
a single articulation pathway has been developed to:
(A) pursue a single, common curriculum in a particular
programmatic area that will articulate, without alteration, with
related baccalaureate degrees at all four (4) year state
educational institutions that offer the baccalaureate degrees;
and
(B) apply all the credits earned for the student's associate
degree toward the related baccalaureate degree so that the
student may begin the baccalaureate degree as a junior status
student; and
(4) be developed after consultation with employers regarding the
competencies and learning outcomes considered especially
important for successful careers and employment.
SECTION 13. IC 21-43-4-5, AS AMENDED BY P.L.125-2013,
SECTION 18, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
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JULY 1, 2024]: Sec. 5. If:
(1) a school corporation;
(2) a charter school (as defined in IC 20-24-1-4);
(3) a state accredited nonpublic school (as defined in
IC 20-18-2-18.7); or
(4) an eligible school (as defined in IC 20-51-1-4.7);
has approved a course offered by an eligible institution for secondary
credit, a student is entitled to secondary credit toward graduation
requirements for each course the student successfully completes at the
eligible institution. The student's high school transcript must reflect
that the secondary credits were earned at an eligible institution.
SEA 8 — CC 1 President of the Senate
President Pro Tempore
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Governor of the State of Indiana
Date: Time:
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