New Jersey Assembly Bill A1438

New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Permits four-year institution of higher education to award associate degrees.

Impact

The legislation seeks to enhance the academic opportunities available to students enrolled in four-year colleges by recognizing the credits they have accumulated. Institutions that choose to implement this program will need to ensure the degrees awarded meet the accreditation standards set by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Additionally, the bill mandates that these institutions provide necessary academic advising to help students understand the requirements and navigate the pathway to attaining an associate degree. The Secretary of Higher Education is also tasked with administering an annual report to monitor the impact and effectiveness of this new policy.

Summary

Assembly Bill A1438 aims to allow four-year institutions of higher education in New Jersey to award associate degrees to students who have completed a minimum of 60 academic credits. This proposal extends the ability to award such degrees not only to traditional students but also to transfer students, provided they have earned at least 30 of those credits at the institution granting the degree. This change represents a significant shift in the educational landscape, potentially providing more options for students as they navigate their academic journeys and seek to complete their degrees more efficiently.

Contention

While proponents of A1438 argue that this bill will streamline pathways to educational attainment and benefit students who may not complete a four-year degree, critics may raise concerns regarding the implications for academic rigor and institutional roles. Questions may be posed about whether the awarding of an associate degree by four-year institutions dilutes the value of both associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as how such a program aligns with educational goals and standards statewide. There may also be apprehensions regarding the administrative burden on institutions and the potential need for additional resources to support new academic advisement protocols.