Oklahoma's State Regents for Higher Education approved new three-year bachelor's degree programs at the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and Rogers State University on Sept. 3. The programs require between 90 and 103 credit hours, compared with the traditional 120-credit-hour minimum.
The University of Oklahoma will offer a Bachelor of Applied Studies in Social Work. Oklahoma State will offer Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Business Essentials and Applications. Rogers State will offer a Bachelor of Applied Science in Workforce Development.
The approval followed legislation authored by Rep. Ryan Eaves and Sen. Julie Daniels, signed into law April 30. House Bill 3315 directed the State Regents to study the feasibility of three-year programs, examining accreditation standards, workforce alignment, affordability, and transferability.
The State Regents established a framework requiring universities proposing programs with fewer than 120 credit hours to demonstrate they meet academic and accreditation standards, address workforce needs, and consider effects on graduate education and professional licensure.