HARRISBURG – The Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27), held a public hearing on reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees to explore whether Pennsylvania could offer students a more flexible and potentially more affordable path to graduation and the workforce.
These programs could require at least 90 credits instead of the traditional 120, allowing students to begin earning and learning in their field sooner. Students could also use the additional room in their schedules to obtain another credential or participate in experiential learning while remaining on a four-year schedule.
“This discussion is about exploring options that could give students more flexibility while preserving the quality and value of a college education,” Culver said. “We need to understand how these programs would serve students, meet employers’ needs and affect opportunities to transfer or pursue graduate education.”
The committee gathered perspectives on accreditation, employer needs, affordability, transparency, degree naming and students’ ability to transfer or pursue graduate education.
Testifiers included:
- Dr. Kathy W. Humphrey, president, Carlow University.
- Dr. Heather F. Perfetti, president, Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
- Dr. Lance Kennedy-Phillips, vice provost for planning, assessment and institutional research, Pennsylvania State University.
- Dr. Brenda Allen, president, Lincoln University.
- Dr. Joseph J. McCarthy, provost and senior vice chancellor, University of Pittsburgh.
- Dr. Jodi Levine Laufgraben, vice provost for academic programs and institutional effectiveness, Temple University.
- Aaron Riggleman, director of government affairs, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.
- Warren Hudak, president, Hudak & Company.
- Wendy G. Coleman, president, American Federation of Teachers-Pennsylvania.
- Kara Laskowski, vice president, Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties.
- Dr. Jonathan Green, president, Susquehanna University.
- Dr. Christopher Fiorentino, chancellor, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
“I thank all of our testifiers for sharing their time, expertise and perspectives with the committee,” Culver said.
Contact:
Sam Clepper