Overview
- The new regulation lets institutions apply for bachelor’s programs below the 120-credit norm, with each proposal subject to board review.
- The board backed the change 8–2, with Chair Chris Gabrieli, Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler and Danielle Allen voting yes, and Harneen Chernow and Lisa Battaglino voting no.
- Backers, including Governor Maura Healey, argue shorter degrees can cut costs and speed entry to the workforce, aligning with board leaders’ calls for responsible experimentation.
- Skeptics caution that compressed programs could dilute learning, with union and faculty voices publicly questioning the impact on degree quality.
- Colleges such as Merrimack, which secured accreditor approval in 2024 for shortened degrees, could now seek state authorization, and proposals are expected to address significant societal or technological shifts.