Requires four-year institutions of higher education to offer accelerated three-year baccalaureate degree programs.
Impact
The implementation of A2888 could significantly alter the landscape of higher education in New Jersey. The bill aims to provide greater flexibility and accessibility for students wishing to graduate sooner, potentially reducing overall tuition costs and increasing the state's graduation rates. However, this change demands that institutions adapt their academic offerings and support systems, which may require initial investment and restructuring to support the new programs and summer sessions.
Summary
Assembly Bill A2888 mandates that all four-year institutions of higher education in New Jersey offer accelerated baccalaureate degree programs that can be completed in three years. The bill requires these institutions to design appropriate programs by the academic year 2024-2025, focusing on majors that are deemed suitable for such acceleration. To ensure students can complete their degrees in this shortened timeframe, institutions must maintain the same credit requirements as traditional four-year programs while incorporating summer courses into the curriculum. This will allow for a more coherent structure for students aiming to fast-track their education.
Contention
Possible points of contention surrounding this bill may include concerns about the quality of education students receive in an accelerated program. Critics may argue that hastily designing curriculums to fit a three-year time frame could compromise educational standards. Additionally, there may be concerns about the feasibility for certain majors or institutions, particularly those that already have limited resources or course offerings, prompting them to seek exemptions from the requirements outlined in the bill. The extension provisions could lead to disparities among institutions in how quickly they fulfill these new requirements.
Requests public postsecondary education institutions offering baccalaureate degrees to develop and promote plans for completion of such degrees in three years
Requires four-year public institutions of higher education to provide on website certain information on online degree students and graduate degree students.
Requires four-year public institutions of higher education to provide on website certain information on online degree students and graduate degree students.
Requires four-year public institutions of higher education to provide on website certain information on online degree students and graduate degree students.
Requires Secretary of Higher Education and DOLWD to establish performance quality standards for career-oriented programs of study offered by institutions of higher education, degree-granting proprietary institutions, and private career schools.
Revises Statewide transfer agreements for transfer of academic credit and reverse credit at participating institutions of higher education; establishes New Jersey Transfer Ombudsperson within Office of Secretary of Higher Education.
Directs Secretary of Higher Education to establish academic credit and reverse credit transfer standards; establishes New Jersey Transfer Ombudsman within Office of Secretary of Higher Education.