Bill Text: NJ S2531 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Provides that no more than 120 credits will be required for baccalaureate degree awarded by a public institution and no more than 60 credits for an associate degree.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-10-27 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Higher Education Committee [S2531 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-S2531-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
SYNOPSIS
Provides that no more than 120 credits will be required for baccalaureate degree awarded by a public institution and no more than 60 credits for an associate degree.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning associate and baccalaureate degree programs and supplementing chapter 62 of Title 18A of the New Jersey Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any section of law to the contrary and except as otherwise provided pursuant to subsection b. of this section, beginning with students who initially enroll in a baccalaureate degree program in the fall semester of 2016, the standard number of credits required for the award of a baccalaureate degree from a four-year public institution of higher education is 120 credit hours.
b. The standard number of credit hours established pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall not apply if:
(1) the degree program is defined as a five-year degree program;
(2) professional accreditation requires a greater number of credit hours or requires course work that cannot be completed in 120 credits; or
(3) certification requirements result in a need for credit hours in excess of 120.
2. a. Notwithstanding the provisions of any section of law to the contrary and except as otherwise provided pursuant to subsection b. of this section, beginning with students who initially enroll in an associate degree program in the fall semester of 2016, the standard number of credit hours required for the award of an associate degree from a county college is 60 credit hours.
b. The standard number of credit hours established pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall not apply if:
(1) the degree program is defined as more than a two-year degree program;
(2) professional accreditation requires a greater number of credit hours or requires course work that cannot be completed in 60 credits; or
(3) certification requirements result in a need for credit hours in excess of 60.
3. The governing board of a public institution of higher education, in consultation with the Secretary of Higher Education, may approve exceptions to the credit hour requirements in addition to those established pursuant to subsection b. of sections 1 and 2 of this act.
4. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill provides that the standard number of credits required for the award of a baccalaureate degree by a public institution of higher education, beginning with students who initially enter the institution in the fall semester of 2016, will be 120 credit hours, and in the case of the award of an associate degree by a county college, 60 credit hours.
The bill stipulates that the standard number of credit hours will not apply if the degree program is defined as a five-year degree program in the case of a four year institution or more than a two-year degree program in the case of a county college. The standard number of credit hours will also not be applicable if professional accreditation requires a greater number of credit hours, or course work cannot be completed within those credit hours, or certification requirements result in a need for additional credit hours.
The bill authorizes the governing board of a public institution, in consultation with the Secretary of Higher Education, to approve additional exceptions to the standard credit hour requirements.
