Reduced-credit bachelor’s degree pilot programs approved by SBHE
Friday, February 6, 2026
Stressing the importance of testing and evaluation, the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education (SBHE) approved Policy 409 and 409.1 during its January meeting, which will permit North Dakota University System (NDUS) institutions to pilot reduced credit bachelor’s degree programs. Additionally, the Board set a sunset date for 2030 to reassess and evaluate any initiated reduced-credit program.
“We believe it is critical to provide our institutions with the tools and flexibility to innovate, with the overarching goal of creating faster pathways into the workforce at a lower cost for students and their families,” said SBHE Chair Kevin Black.
According to policy, institutions can only offer up to two reduced-credit bachelor’s degree programs and are encouraged to offer programs that align with workforce needs. Degree programs that lead to careers requiring professional licensing or credentialing are not eligible.
“(The programs are) limited to Bachelor of Applied Science, and I sometimes think the public probably doesn't know Bachelor of Applied Science are really intended to be a direct entry into the workplace, whereas the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science tend to be preparation for master's degrees,” said Lisa Johnson, NDUS deputy commissioner for academic and student affairs. “And that's what had been approved by the Higher Learning Commission. A lot of institutions, states and systems were piloting at that Bachelor of Applied Science level.”
Some of the additional guardrails in place for the pilot programs include:
- Allows up to two pilot programs per institution, signaling a focused desire on quality and monitoring.
- Limited to Bachelor of Applied Science degrees.
- Restricted to programs that lead to careers that require professional licensing (open to reconsideration in the future).
- Focused on programs aligned with high-demand workforce areas.
- Demonstrated employer support.
- Enhanced academic advising.
- Expected tracking of student retention, completion and job placement.
Board Business
During the kick-off to the January meeting, the Board viewed a presentation about an agreement between Williston State College (WSC) and Dickinson State University (DSU) called the Degree Bridge Program. Students on campus at WSC can finish an associate’s degree and, later, a bachelor’s in business without traveling to DSU. The program was designed to help fill workforce shortages in western North Dakota.
The Degree Bridge presentation was followed by an update on WSC’s growth and program development from Dr. Zahi Atallah, WSC vice president of academic affairs.
The Board also considered a 99-year land lease agreement between North Dakota State College of Science and the City of Wahpeton for a new recreation center. Ultimately, the Board referred the project to the Budget and Finance Committee for further review.
Dickinson State University (DSU) President Scott Molander presented a proposal to the Board to name the DSU Rodeo Arena after donor and alum Dale Little Soldier. The Board approved naming the facility in his honor.
Committee Reports
For the Staff Senate, Member Anna Kinney said the group had visited with Vice Chair DJ Campbell, who went over the System Office’s work with a contractor on a system alignment project and how staff can contribute and provide feedback through the process. They also discussed proposed changes to employee tuition waivers. Staff Senate also continues its efforts to review and update its bylaws and develop a staff award system.
Dr. Lisa Montplaisir reported on the Council of College Faculties (CCF), which had further conversations about tenure, including defining tenure eligibility. CCF did take a vote on tenure eligibility definitions, and it passed the body with 9-2 votes to go to the Board for approval. Eligibility also considers degree requirements and program accreditation standards.
Student Member Maxwell Eriksrud reported for the North Dakota Student Association. The group approved several resolutions, including opposition to cuts in federal research funding, advocacy for a fall break period during the academic year and increasing campus security.
Member Curtis Biller reported for the Academic and Student Affairs Committee. He said the group discussed reduced-credit bachelor’s degrees, new academic programs, program terminations and heard a presentation on AI in education from Staff Senate Member Kinney. Participants also heard updates about research initiatives and NDUS’s work to assist with students needing a teach-out program after agreements with Walden University, an online provider, were terminated.
Member Tim Mihalick reported for the Budget and Finance Committee and Audit Committee. He said the Budget and Finance Committee continues to have discussions about dual credit, resource sharing between institutions and funding formula recommendations. The Audit Committee discussed the State Auditor’s Report on NDUS governance and reviewed bank reconciliation processes by NDUS institutions.
Member Danita Bye reported for the Research Committee, saying the group heard an update about federal funding for research from North Dakota State University and the University of North Dakota. It also received an update on the Higher Education Research and Development data, which highlighted both research institutions’ strong national rankings.
Additionally, the Board heard a presentation on the annual tuition waiver report, compiled by Brenda Zastoupil, director of financial aid. The report showed that 26.6% of students received waivers with the majority being partial waivers. Nearly half have gone to North Dakota residents.
Corey Quirk, chief information officer, also gave an update on the Enterprise Research Planning legislative study, the status of the PeopleSoft system and introduced Core Technology Services’ new strategic plan.
The Board heard first readings for Policies 409 (Degrees Offered), 409.1 (Reduced-Credit Bachelor’s Degree Programs), 331 (Approval of College and University Constitutions by the Board), 340.2 (Nonprofit Affiliates), 601.2 (Acting Chief Executive Officer) and 703.3 (Retirement)
It also heard a second readings for Policies 503.1 (Student Free Speech and Expression), 503.2 (Student Data Privacy and Security Bill of Rights) and 514 (Due Process Requirements for Student Conduct that may Result in Suspension or Expulsion). All policies were approved.
No public comments were made.
The next SBHE meeting will be on Feb. 26, 2026.