Bill Text: NJ S1871 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Amended
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: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-12-19 - Received in the Assembly, Referred to Assembly Higher Education Committee [S1871 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-S1871-Amended.html
Sponsored by:
Senator SHIRLEY K. TURNER
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Senator SANDRA B. CUNNINGHAM
District 31 (Hudson)
SYNOPSIS
Provides that no more than 120 credits will be required for baccalaureate degree awarded by public institution and no more than 60 credits for associate degree.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Higher Education Committee on October 20, 2016, with amendments.
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 2017, 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.
1c. The Secretary of Higher Education shall establish standards for the purposes of complying with the credit hour limit established by this section for institutions of higher education that use nontraditional course credit systems.1
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 2017, 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.
1c. The Secretary of Higher Education shall establish standards for the purposes of complying with the credit hour limit established by this section for institutions of higher education that use nontraditional course credit systems.1
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.
