1.1 A bill for an act
1.2 relating to higher education; expanding the authority to offer applied doctoral
1.3 degrees at state universities; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 135A.052,
1.4 subdivision 1.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 135A.052, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.7 Subdivision 1.Statement of missions.(a) The legislature recognizes each type of public
1.8postsecondary institution to have a distinctive mission within the overall provision of public
1.9higher education in the state and a responsibility to cooperate with each other. These missions
1.10are as follows:
1.11 (1) the technical colleges shall offer vocational training and education to prepare students
1.12for skilled occupations that do not require a baccalaureate degree;
1.13 (2) the community colleges shall offer lower division instruction in academic programs,
1.14occupational programs in which all credits earned will be accepted for transfer to a
1.15baccalaureate degree in the same field of study, and remedial studies, for students transferring
1.16to baccalaureate institutions and for those seeking associate degrees;
1.17 (3) consolidated community technical colleges shall offer the same types of instruction,
1.18programs, certificates, diplomas, and degrees as the technical colleges and community
1.19colleges offer;
1.20 (4) the state universities shall offer undergraduate and graduate instruction through the
1.21master's degree, including specialist certificates, in the liberal arts and sciences and
1.22professional education, and may offer applied doctoral degrees in education, business,
1Section 1.
25-04237
State of Minnesota
This Document can be made available
in alternative formats upon request
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H. F. No. 2561
NINETY-FOURTH SESSION
Authored by Bahner, Nash, Rarick, Wolgamott, Momanyi-Hiltsley and others03/20/2025
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Higher Education Finance and Policy 2.1psychology, physical therapy, audiology, and nursing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence,
2.2other emerging areas of practice and workforce need, and any additional areas determined
2.3by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; and
2.4 (5) the University of Minnesota shall offer undergraduate, graduate, and professional
2.5instruction through the doctoral degree, and shall be the primary state supported academic
2.6agency for research and extension services.
2.7 (b) It is part of the mission of each system that within the system's resources the system's
2.8governing board and chancellor or president shall endeavor to:
2.9 (1) prevent the waste or unnecessary spending of public money;
2.10 (2) use innovative fiscal and human resource practices to manage the state's resources
2.11and operate the system as efficiently as possible;
2.12 (3) coordinate the system's activities wherever appropriate with the activities of the other
2.13system and governmental agencies;
2.14 (4) use technology where appropriate to increase system productivity, improve customer
2.15service, increase public access to information about the system, and increase public
2.16participation in the business of the system;
2.17 (5) utilize constructive and cooperative labor-management practices to the extent
2.18otherwise required by chapters 43A and 179A; and
2.19 (6) recommend to the legislature appropriate changes in law necessary to carry out the
2.20mission of the system.
2Section 1.
25-04237