The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recently approved updates to the Academic Program Approval Policy that create a framework for the review and potential approval of accelerated bachelor’s degrees.
“Oklahoma’s economy is growing, and employers need job-ready graduates,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “If we can streamline degree pathways while preserving quality and accreditation, we should do it. This is another step toward making Oklahoma a Top Ten state for opportunity, business, and education.”
Policy modifications establish an institutional submission process for bachelor’s degrees that require between 90 and 119 credit hours to complete. A traditional baccalaureate requires a minimum of 120 credit hours.
“Our Governor and Legislature have identified accelerated baccalaureate programs as an important option to lower student costs and connect Oklahoma graduates to the workforce sooner,” said State Regents’ chair Courtney Warmington. “This board has carefully deliberated the viability and potential value of 90-hour bachelor’s degrees in the lens of academic quality, alignment with business community needs, accreditation requirements, and financial implications for families.”
For State Regents’ consideration, institutional proposals to offer 90-hour bachelor’s degrees must meet not only general requirements for program approval outlined in the policy, including alignment with institutional function and accreditation, established program enrollment and graduation targets, and demonstrated workforce and student demand, but also several specialized criteria. Among other requirements, proposals for 90-hour bachelor’s degrees must outline a clear rationale and delivery plan for a reduced-credit degree structure, including learning outcomes, assessment methods, and instructional design; demonstrate the accelerated program addresses a critical industry, state, or regional workforce gap; and define student and employer demand and post-graduation employment opportunities, including implications for professional licensure and applicability to graduate degree programs.
“As demand for a college-educated workforce continues to grow, public higher education works continuously to increase degree completion in high-demand fields,” said Chancellor Sean Burrage. “Thoughtfully designed 90-hour bachelor’s degrees will provide distinct, expedited pathways for workforce preparation, bringing skilled graduates into the most crucial segments of our labor force faster.”
Earlier this year, Executive Order 2026-08 directed the State Regents to conduct a feasibility study of accelerated or reduced-credit bachelor’s degree programs. The study, which was presented to the State Regents at their March 26 meeting, examined accreditation standards, workforce alignment, affordability, transferability, and other policy considerations.
The feasibility study concluded that accelerated bachelor’s degree programs could potentially be implemented within Oklahoma’s public higher education system under a limited and structured framework, particularly in applied, workforce-aligned disciplines. The study emphasized the importance of academic safeguards, institutional and accreditor approval processes, advising requirements, and careful consideration of transfer implications, recommending a measured, mission-aligned approach in which 90-hour bachelor’s degree proposals would be evaluated on their individual viability.
In accordance with HB 3315, which was authored by Rep. Ryan Eaves and Sen. Julie Daniels and signed by the Governor, the State Regents have provided the feasibility study to Gov. Stitt, Speaker Kyle Hilbert, and Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton.