AN ACT PERMITTING NINETY-CREDIT DEGREE PROGRAMS AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE.

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is July 1, 2026, as stated in Section 1.

Allowing 90-Credit Degree Programs in State Colleges

This law allows state colleges to apply for degree programs requiring at least 90 credit hours if the program has accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education Secretary.

What This Bill Does

• Allows institutions of higher education in the state to submit an application for a new degree program where a student can earn a degree after completing not fewer than ninety credit hours.
• Requires that such programs have accreditation recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education.
• Directs the Office of Higher Education to review each application submitted under this rule.
• Permits the office to conduct focused or on-site reviews when necessary during the approval process.

Who It Names or Affects

• Institutions of higher education in the state
• The Office of Higher Education

Terms To Know

Credit hours

A unit used to measure student learning time and course load toward a degree.

Accreditation recognized by the Secretary of Education

Official approval showing an educational program meets quality standards accepted by the U.S. Department of Education Secretary.

Limits and Unknowns

• The law does not specify which types of degrees can use this 90-credit structure.
• It is unclear how long the review process will take for each application.
• No details are provided about costs or fees associated with these new programs.

Official Summary Text

To permit ninety-credit degree programs at institutions of higher education.

Current Bill Text

LCO No. 2037 1 of 2

General Assembly Raised Bill No. 396
February Session, 2026 LCO No. 2037

Referred to Committee on HIGHER EDUCATION AND
EMPLOYMENT ADVANCEMENT

Introduced by:
(HED)

AN ACT PERMITTING NINETY-CREDIT DEGREE PROGRAMS AT
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE STATE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:

Section 1. Section 10a-34 of the general statutes is amended by adding 1
subsection (m) as follows (Effective July 1, 2026): 2
(NEW) (m) The Office of Higher Education shall permit institutions 3
of higher education in the state to submit an application for a new 4
degree program through which a degree may be earned after the 5
completion of not fewer than ninety credit hours, provided such 6
program has accreditation recognized by the Secretary of the United 7
States Department of Education. The office shall conduct a review of 8
each application submitted under this subsection pursuant to the 9
provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, a focused or on-10
site review, when necessary. 11
This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
sections:

Raised Bill No. 396

LCO No. 2037 2 of 2

Section 1 July 1, 2026 10a-34(m)

Statement of Purpose:
To permit ninety -credit degree programs at institutions of higher
education.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
underlined.]