Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Applied Bachelors 90 Credit topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board authorizes 5 pilot 90-credit "applied" bachelor's programs for adult degree completers; safeguards to exclude traditional undergraduates
Summary
The Board authorized development and submission of up to five 90-credit applied bachelor's programs for adult degree completers to the New England regional accreditor, while directing guardrails to distinguish the applied programs from existing 120-credit degrees and to exclude traditional-age first-time students from enrollment.
The University of Maine System Board of Trustees authorized the system to develop and submit up to five 90-credit "applied" bachelor's programs for consideration by the regional accreditor, a plan designed to expand affordable, accelerated options for returning adult degree completers.
Vice Chancellor Jeff St. John and provosts briefed trustees on the pilot cohort, which the presentation listed as: applied business management at UMFK (Fort Kent), applied public administration at UMA (Augusta), an applied bachelor of college studies at UMaine Machias, an applied bachelor of liberal studies in the UMPi PACE modality, and an applied psychology program at UMPI. Trustees were told the programs will be marketed and titled to differentiate them from 120-credit degrees and that multiple safeguards will be used to prevent confusion with traditional 4-year programs. St. John emphasized the system will exclude traditional first-time full-time students from the 90-credit programs and require clear pathways for students who later seek a full 120-credit bachelor's degree.
The motion to authorize development and submission was moved by Trustee Martin, seconded by Trustee Kane, and the board voted unanimously to approve the authorization. St. John and other administrators said the system will follow the regular program-development process at the campus level, provide templates to proposers that incorporate the accreditor's conditions, and keep faculty governance and trustees informed. The earliest realistic launch date discussed for an approved program was fall 2026; the system will seek NECI (as referenced in meeting materials) consideration at the accreditor's November meeting.
Ending: Trustees approved the authorization with an instruction to continue close faculty consultation and review. Administrators said they will return with program proposals and additional guardrails for faculty review before final implementation.
