| Passed by the Senate March 7, 2011 YEAS 46 BRAD OWEN ________________________________________ President of the Senate Passed by the House April 6, 2011 YEAS 91 FRANK CHOPP ________________________________________ Speaker of the House of Representatives | I, Thomas Hoemann, Secretary of the Senate of the State of Washington, do hereby certify that the attached is SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5442 as passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on the dates hereon set forth. THOMAS HOEMANN ________________________________________ Secretary | |
| Approved April 18, 2011, 2:32 p.m. CHRISTINE GREGOIRE ________________________________________ Governor of the State of Washington | April 19, 2011 Secretary of State State of Washington |
| State of Washington | 62nd Legislature | 2011 Regular Session |
READ FIRST TIME 02/18/11.
AN ACT Relating to an accelerated baccalaureate degree program; adding a new section to chapter 28B.10 RCW; and creating a new section.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 The legislature finds that some students are
eager to complete a degree in the shortest time possible in order to
enter the job market. The legislature further finds that providing a
streamlined path to a baccalaureate degree would shorten the time
required for students to complete a degree, improve the graduation
rate, and improve accessibility for students who have proven academic
abilities. The legislature intends to provide an accelerated
baccalaureate degree program that will allow academically qualified
students to obtain baccalaureate degrees in three years. The
legislature finds that this streamlined path does not represent a new
three-year standard for all students. The legislature intends to
provide greater options to students, while not diminishing the quality
or value of a standard baccalaureate degree. Further, the legislature
intends that baccalaureate institutions explore reasonable
possibilities for accelerated degree programs for academically
qualified students.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is
added to chapter 28B.10 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) State universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen
State College may develop accelerated baccalaureate degree programs
that will allow academically qualified students to obtain a
baccalaureate degree in three years without attending summer classes or
enrolling in more than a full-time class load during the regular
academic year. The programs must allow academically qualified students
to begin course work within their academic field during their first
term or semester of enrollment.
(2) The state universities, regional universities, and The
Evergreen State College shall report on their plans for the accelerated
baccalaureate degree programs to the higher education coordinating
board for approval.