Texas governor orders 3-year degree plans

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the state's higher education board to develop plans for three-year bachelor's degree pathways. He issued the order on Wednesday, calling for a report by the year's end.

Abbott instructed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to assemble a working group. The group will include public college officials, faculty leaders, employers, and accreditors.

The governor's directive tasks the group with making recommendations on several key areas. These include academic standards, appropriate degrees and occupations, and student demand. Workforce needs, accreditation requirements, and necessary legislative changes are also on the agenda.

Cost and Timeline

In a letter to Texas Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser, Abbott cited rising costs as a primary motivation. He stated that every semester adds to tuition, fees, housing, and other living expenses while delaying careers. The governor said he plans to work with lawmakers in the legislative session starting in January to codify an accelerated pathway.

Accreditation and Other State Efforts

The push in Texas follows recent accreditation developments. In December, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approved its first three-year accelerated bachelor's degrees for two programs at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia. This body accredits institutions within the University of Texas, Texas Tech University, and Texas A&M University systems.

Other states are exploring similar models. In June, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia announced a collaboration with several colleges and Ohio representatives to develop a blueprint for 90-credit, three-year degrees. Ten Ohio institutions, including Ohio State University and Cleveland State University, are part of the "Scaling College in 3" initiative.

Also in June, Massachusetts's state higher education board approved the state's first three-year programs at Merrimack College and Suffolk University. Each requires just over 90 credits.

Support and Opposition

The concept has drawn both support and criticism from across the political spectrum. Leaders of the American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers opposed the Massachusetts approval. They warned the programs threaten academic integrity with a "stripped-down curriculum that prioritizes speed over essential intellectual development."

Supporters argue the traditional model is outdated. Beth Akers, a senior fellow at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute, wrote that "there is nothing magical about 120 credits" and that outcomes should matter most. Back in 2018, the Progressive Policy Institute argued three-year programs could improve affordability and accessibility.

According to a March report from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, at least 70 institutions were offering or considering three-year degrees.