Pennsylvania Supports Community College Students Via Degree With a Guarantee Initiative
Posted on July 19th, 2024
by John E. Freund, III
On July 17, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill No. 897, making it Act No. 69 of 2024 (the “Act”). The Act will streamline community college credit transfers for students who have completed their associate’s degree.
Overview of the Act
Proposed by Representatives Emily Kinkead and Mary Louise Isaacson, the Act offers support to college students who face the rising costs of higher education. More specifically, the Act will assist students attending community college who plan to transfer to a 4-year college or university.
In many cases, community college graduates have already earned the necessary number of credits to transfer to a 4-year institution with junior standing. However, it has become apparent that it is easier for these students to transfer to out-of-state universities in order to have all of their credits recognized.
The Act will change this pattern by encouraging students to pursue further education in-state and retain their talents in Pennsylvania, by passing the Degree with a Guarantee initiative.
Change to Come
The Act guarantees admission into the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) system, with junior standing, to all Pennsylvania community college students who earn an associate’s degree from a Council for Higher Education (CHEA)-accredited college or university.
Students will be awarded full junior standing and no longer be required to satisfactorily complete more than 60 credits to earn a 120-credit bachelor’s degree in a program-to-program or other parallel program, regardless of the courses they took to earn their associate’s degree.
Amendment to the Public School Code
The Act will implement Parallel Baccalaureate Degree Programs, which is defined as “a bachelor’s degree program in a comparable field of study and with similar foundation-level, major-specific competencies as an associate degree program, as articulated in program-to-program agreements.”
The Act also clarifies that “receiving institutions” are public institutions of higher education where a transfer student plans to enroll and intends to apply previously earned credit(s) toward their degree program.
New Laws for Public Institutions of Higher Education
1. Guaranteed Admission
Public institutions of higher education must ensure that an undergraduate student transferring from a public community college with an associate of arts or associate of science degree is guaranteed admission into the Parallel Baccalaureate Degree Program.
An exception to the guaranteed admission provision is made for programs that have mandated admission requirements, including, programs for teacher preparation, programs requiring an audition, programs with GPA requirements, and programs with additional entrance requirements imposed by an accreditor.
Further, undergraduate students from community colleges with an associate’s degree should receive priority for admission and enrollment in a PASSHE or State-related university program over out-of-State students.
2. Acceptance of Transfer Credits
Public institutions of higher education must accept transfer students holding an associate of arts or associate of science degree, with full junior standing. Further, these institutions must apply all college-level credits earned to fulfill the degree requirements at the community college. This includes all major requirements and general education requirements.
Embrace this Change
The Act received bipartisan support in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Moving forward, community college students are encouraged to further their education in Pennsylvania, with a guaranteed, clear, and affordable pathway.
If you have any questions, please consult with your legal counsel or one of the higher education attorneys at KingSpry.
Pennsylvania Supports Community College Students Via Degree With a Guarantee Initiative
Posted on July 19th, 2024
by John E. Freund, III
On July 17, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill No. 897, making it Act No. 69 of 2024 (the “Act”). The Act will streamline community college credit transfers for students who have completed their associate’s degree.
Overview of the Act
Proposed by Representatives Emily Kinkead and Mary Louise Isaacson, the Act offers support to college students who face the rising costs of higher education. More specifically, the Act will assist students attending community college who plan to transfer to a 4-year college or university.
In many cases, community college graduates have already earned the necessary number of credits to transfer to a 4-year institution with junior standing. However, it has become apparent that it is easier for these students to transfer to out-of-state universities in order to have all of their credits recognized.
The Act will change this pattern by encouraging students to pursue further education in-state and retain their talents in Pennsylvania, by passing the Degree with a Guarantee initiative.
Change to Come
The Act guarantees admission into the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) system, with junior standing, to all Pennsylvania community college students who earn an associate’s degree from a Council for Higher Education (CHEA)-accredited college or university.
Students will be awarded full junior standing and no longer be required to satisfactorily complete more than 60 credits to earn a 120-credit bachelor’s degree in a program-to-program or other parallel program, regardless of the courses they took to earn their associate’s degree.
Amendment to the Public School Code
The Act will implement Parallel Baccalaureate Degree Programs, which is defined as “a bachelor’s degree program in a comparable field of study and with similar foundation-level, major-specific competencies as an associate degree program, as articulated in program-to-program agreements.”
The Act also clarifies that “receiving institutions” are public institutions of higher education where a transfer student plans to enroll and intends to apply previously earned credit(s) toward their degree program.
New Laws for Public Institutions of Higher Education
1. Guaranteed Admission
Public institutions of higher education must ensure that an undergraduate student transferring from a public community college with an associate of arts or associate of science degree is guaranteed admission into the Parallel Baccalaureate Degree Program.
An exception to the guaranteed admission provision is made for programs that have mandated admission requirements, including, programs for teacher preparation, programs requiring an audition, programs with GPA requirements, and programs with additional entrance requirements imposed by an accreditor.
Further, undergraduate students from community colleges with an associate’s degree should receive priority for admission and enrollment in a PASSHE or State-related university program over out-of-State students.
2. Acceptance of Transfer Credits
Public institutions of higher education must accept transfer students holding an associate of arts or associate of science degree, with full junior standing. Further, these institutions must apply all college-level credits earned to fulfill the degree requirements at the community college. This includes all major requirements and general education requirements.
Embrace this Change
The Act received bipartisan support in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Moving forward, community college students are encouraged to further their education in Pennsylvania, with a guaranteed, clear, and affordable pathway.
If you have any questions, please consult with your legal counsel or one of the higher education attorneys at KingSpry.