Committee recommends policy on reduced‑credit bachelor’s degrees; KSU’s uncrewed aircraft proposal to be considered

BASC directed staff to develop a policy for reduced‑credit bachelor’s degrees and recommended that the full board consider Kansas State University’s proposed reduced‑credit bachelor’s in uncrewed aircraft systems, committee members said, after debating whether to waive the current 120‑credit bachelor’s standard.

Vice President Monholland told the committee that reduced‑credit bachelor’s degrees — programs requiring fewer than the standard 120 credit hours, often 90–95 credits — are a growing national trend and that KBOR policy currently defines bachelor’s degrees as requiring at least 120 credits. He said staff believed a policy framework should be in place before considering program approvals. “We think the best course of action is to first address the policy implications, before considering a proposal for an RCBD,” Monholland said.

Kansas State asked staff to waive the policy so the uncrewed aircraft systems proposal could proceed. Committee members debated the request: Regent Mendoza and others said the system should move deliberately and draft policy guardrails addressing general education, math and English pathways and other parameters. Regent Jesse (KSU provost or advocate) argued for experimentation and speed, noting other states already offer such degrees and expressing concern about losing momentum.

The committee ultimately approved a motion to recommend that KBOR staff develop a policy on reduced‑credit baccalaureate degrees as quickly as possible and to bring the KSU proposal forward for discussion at the full board. Staff said the item can be placed on the COCO (Committee on Council/COCO) agenda and that HLC approvals and institutional timelines mean implementation could stretch into fall 2026.

BASC members emphasized that waiving policy is a board‑level decision and that BASC’s role is to recommend. The committee asked staff to expedite a policy draft so the full board can review both the KSU proposal and proposed policy in an orderly governance process.