General Ed changes

[drey]

Just a note regarding NECHE Standards Update 2.6:

2.6 A bachelor’s degree includes a general education requirement of at least 40 semester credits, and an associate’s degree includes a general education requirement of at least 20 semester credits. Baccalaureate-level degrees requiring fewer than 120 credits include general education courses totaling at least one-third of the overall credits. All undergraduate degrees provide students with the opportunity to take electives.

Which means it is possible for a 90-credit (3-year) Bachelors to only have a 30-credit GEC requirement, removing things like the foreign language requirement would make sense in this situation.

Curious to see the reception of a 90-credit bachelors from both students and faculty at UMPI

By 90 credit bachelors does this mean it would only take 90 creds to graduate instead of 120?

[ss20ts]

Just a note regarding NECHE Standards Update 2.6:

2.6 A bachelor’s degree includes a general education requirement of at least 40 semester credits, and an associate’s degree includes a general education requirement of at least 20 semester credits. Baccalaureate-level degrees requiring fewer than 120 credits include general education courses totaling at least one-third of the overall credits. All undergraduate degrees provide students with the opportunity to take electives.

Which means it is possible for a 90-credit (3-year) Bachelors to only have a 30-credit GEC requirement, removing things like the foreign language requirement would make sense in this situation.

Curious to see the reception of a 90-credit bachelors from both students and faculty at UMPI

By 90 credit bachelors does this mean it would only take 90 creds to graduate instead of 120?

Yes. UMPI has a new bachelor's program that's 90 credits. ALL of the bachelor's are NOT moving to 90 credits. It's one program.

[drey]

Just a note regarding NECHE Standards Update 2.6:

2.6 A bachelor’s degree includes a general education requirement of at least 40 semester credits, and an associate’s degree includes a general education requirement of at least 20 semester credits. Baccalaureate-level degrees requiring fewer than 120 credits include general education courses totaling at least one-third of the overall credits. All undergraduate degrees provide students with the opportunity to take electives.

Which means it is possible for a 90-credit (3-year) Bachelors to only have a 30-credit GEC requirement, removing things like the foreign language requirement would make sense in this situation.

Curious to see the reception of a 90-credit bachelors from both students and faculty at UMPI

By 90 credit bachelors does this mean it would only take 90 creds to graduate instead of 120?

Yes. UMPI has a new bachelor's program that's 90 credits. ALL of the bachelor's are NOT moving to 90 credits. It's one program.

what program is it?

[Jonathan Whatley]

Yes. UMPI has a new bachelor's program that's 90 credits. ALL of the bachelor's are NOT moving to 90 credits. It's one program.

what program is it?

Two programs technically, which have been approved by the University of Maine System but have yet to launch. In some documents their anticipated launch date is September 2026: A BA in Applied Psychology and an applied Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies (in some planning documents titled a BA in Applied Liberal Studies, in others an Applied Bachelor of Liberal Studies).

The 90-credit bachelor’s will be restricted to returning adult learners, defined as adults with some prior credit who have been away from college for at least two years, though not necessarily the immediate past two years.

[ss20ts]

Yes. UMPI has a new bachelor's program that's 90 credits. ALL of the bachelor's are NOT moving to 90 credits. It's one program.

what program is it?

Two programs technically, which have been approved by the University of Maine System but have yet to launch. In some documents their anticipated launch date is September 2026: A BA in Applied Psychology and an applied Bachelor’s in Liberal Studies (in some planning documents titled a BA in Applied Liberal Studies, in others an Applied Bachelor of Liberal Studies).

The 90-credit bachelor’s will be restricted to returning adult learners, defined as adults with some prior credit who have been away from college for at least two years, though not necessarily the immediate past two years.

I've only seen info about the BA in Liberal Studies. A 90 credit BA in Psychology could be problematic for someone who wants to go onto earn a master's or doctorate in psychology. Any 90 credit bachelor's degree could be a problem for someone who wants to complete a master's degree though as many require a 120 credit bachelor's degree. It will be interesting to see if the nation moves to 90 credit bachelor degrees.

[Jonathan Whatley]

I've only seen info about the BA in Liberal Studies. A 90 credit BA in Psychology could be problematic for someone who wants to go onto earn a master's or doctorate in psychology. Any 90 credit bachelor's degree could be a problem for someone who wants to complete a master's degree though as many require a 120 credit bachelor's degree. It will be interesting to see if the nation moves to 90 credit bachelor degrees.

UMPI’s proposal for the 90-credit BA in Applied Psychology includes this helpful passage:

Transparency Statement (for marketing materials and website)

Your Fast-Track to a Career — with a Pathway to More

Our 90-credit Applied Psychology degree program is designed for students seeking a quicker, more affordable route into the workforce, offering hands-on, career-ready skills in high-demand fields.

What You Should Know:

Some graduate programs, professional schools, and employers may require a traditional baccalaureate degree with at least 120 credits. This degree can serve as a stepping stone — providing a clear, structured pathway to a full four-year (120-credit) bachelor’s degree, should you choose to continue your education.

This program is ideal for students looking to enter the job market quickly, while keeping future academic and career advancement options open.