DEAC seeking comments on 90 credit Bachelor degrees and subscription-based tuition

[SteveFoerster]

In this announcement there are links to the specific proposed language: https://www.deac.org/public-notices/docu...c-comment/

The Commission is seeking comments on a proposed new category of degree program: a reduced credit, 90 semester-hour applied bachelor’s degree.

The Commission is seeking comments on proposed standards for subscription-based tuition models.

The comment period will be open for 30 days (through August 30, 2025). All interested parties are invited to review the proposals and submit feedback. Comments received during this period will be carefully considered by the Standards Committee and then by the Commission before any final action is taken.

[SophiaPrincess]

Thanks Steve. Submitted my 2 cents. I think DEAC needs to focus on persuading RA schools to accept transfer credit and applicants from graduates of DEAC accredited schools. How they would accomplish that is above my pay grade.

[crimsonhairless]

To be honest I think this is a long time coming, and hopefully will extend to brick and mortar universities as well if all goes well. When I applied to university out of high school I knew I wasn't going to go to school in the USA. I mostly applied to schools in the UK and Canada where the concept of a 3 year bachelors is well established. There's really no reason not to offer a condensed "major" focused bachelor where the majority of credits are related to your subject. Not saying there can't be a four year "honors" bachelors that is offered side by side, but for a lot of students grinding 30-45 liberal arts credits just to graduate seems egregious.

[SteveFoerster]

Thanks Steve. Submitted my 2 cents. I think DEAC needs to focus on persuading RA schools to accept transfer credit and applicants from graduates of DEAC accredited schools.  How they would accomplish that is above my pay grade.

Even more fundamental: technically there is no RA and NA anymore. When I was listening to the head of SACS and HLC being interviewed on podcasts recently, they themselves referred to it as "former" regional accreditation. It's time to update our terminology around here as well, IMHO.

[Kab]

While I agree with your point of view and the change in making all accreditations equal, outside of the US the old regional is still the standard. I hope one day will change, but will need time.

[ss20ts]

Thanks Steve. Submitted my 2 cents. I think DEAC needs to focus on persuading RA schools to accept transfer credit and applicants from graduates of DEAC accredited schools.  How they would accomplish that is above my pay grade.

Even more fundamental: technically there is no RA and NA anymore. When I was listening to the head of SACS and HLC being interviewed on podcasts recently, they themselves referred to it as "former" regional accreditation. It's time to update our terminology around here as well, IMHO.

And yet when applying to grad school programs, so many state that they require an RA bachelor's degree. Some licensing also requires an RA degree.

[bjcheung77]

DEAC (NA) is making more changes as they're trying to see what would benefit students who have more experience or knowledge in trades or other industries and sectors. I think they're trying to pave a way for students that are struggling to finish a Bachelors, an intermediary solution, a middle of the pack option, something more than an associates and less energy/time consuming than a traditional bachelors.

[SteveFoerster]

Thanks Steve. Submitted my 2 cents. I think DEAC needs to focus on persuading RA schools to accept transfer credit and applicants from graduates of DEAC accredited schools.  How they would accomplish that is above my pay grade.

Even more fundamental: technically there is no RA and NA anymore. When I was listening to the head of SACS and HLC being interviewed on podcasts recently, they themselves referred to it as "former" regional accreditation. It's time to update our terminology around here as well, IMHO.

And yet when applying to grad school programs, so many state that they require an RA bachelor's degree. Some licensing also requires an RA degree.

So we've long said in these forums, but we're long overdue for fresh research to see how up-to-date that conventional wisdom still is.