5734-S AMH ANDG SMIT 166

SSB 5734 - H AMD TO WAYS COMM AMD (H-3287.1) 717

By Representative Anderson

WITHDRAWN 4/22/2009

    On page 2, after line 34 of the striking amendment, insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 28B.15 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) In an effort to control the total amount of tuition paid by resident undergraduate students in pursuit of an associate or bachelors degree, the institutions of higher education must establish a cap on the total number of credits required for completion of a degree. The state board for community and technical colleges shall establish a maximum of ninety quarter credits for all associate degrees conferred by the community and technical colleges. The governing boards of the state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College shall establish a maximum one hundred eighty quarter credits or one hundred twenty semester credits for all undergraduate degrees.

    (2) The public institutions of higher education may request an exemption from the provisions of this section if the degrees would be conferred in a high employer demand program of study. The community and technical colleges may request an exemption from the state board for community and technical colleges. The state universities, regional universities, and The Evergreen State College may request an exemption from the higher education coordinating board.

    (3) The state board for community and technical colleges and the higher education coordinating board shall develop policies and procedures to implement the provisions of this section."

EFFECT:  Requires the institutions of higher education to establish caps on the maximum number of credits that can be required for the completion of associate and bachelor's degrees. The SBCTC and HECB are given authority to make exemptions to the requirement.    

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