(1) As used in this section:

(a) ‘Applied baccalaureate degree’ has the meaning given that term in ORS § 348.910.

(b) ‘Bachelor of Science: Nursing degree’ means a post-licensure degree program in which individuals who have already received an associate degree in nursing receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

(2) A community college may offer applied baccalaureate degrees and Bachelor of Science: Nursing degrees under the provisions of this section.

(3) For each applied baccalaureate degree program or Bachelor of Science: Nursing degree program a community college wants to offer to its students, the community college shall submit to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission:

(a) A description of the program to be offered;

(b) The method by which the program will be created, including any necessary accreditation by the relevant accrediting agency;

(c) Documentation of local unmet workforce needs that would be addressed by offering the program; and

(d) Documentation that the community college has the expertise, resources and student interest necessary to make the program successful.

(4) A proposed applied baccalaureate degree program or Bachelor of Science: Nursing degree program must be approved by the commission. The commission shall approve a proposed applied baccalaureate degree program or Bachelor of Science: Nursing degree program if:

(a) The community college submits all of the information and documentation required under subsection (3) of this section; and

(b) The commission determines that the criteria set forth in ORS § 350.075 (3)(g) are satisfied.

(5) The commission may adopt rules to implement this section. [2019 c.255 § 2; 2023 c.287 § 1]