(1) As used in this section, ‘applied baccalaureate degree’ means a bachelor’s degree designed to incorporate applied associate courses and degrees with additional coursework emphasizing higher-order thinking skills and advanced technical knowledge and skills.

(2) The Higher Education Coordinating Commission shall develop a plan for offering applied baccalaureate degree programs at community colleges and public universities listed in ORS § 352.002. The commission shall consider the following types of programs for the purpose of offering some of these types and the possibility of combinations of these types:

(a) A career ladder program that requires a substantial number of upper level courses in the same technical area of study as the student’s applied associate degree;

(b) An inverse program that reverses the traditional curriculum sequence by adding general education courses in the student’s third and fourth years to the associate degree courses taken in the student’s first and second years;

(c) A management ladder program that combines associate degree requirements with applied management skills coursework; and

(d) A work experience program that combines general education and technical coursework with direct, supervised work experience in a relevant field.

(3) The plan must include the following elements:

(a) The method by which the applied baccalaureate degree programs will be created, including any necessary accreditation by the relevant accrediting agency;

(b) The criteria for approving the degree and course options offered by public universities listed in ORS § 352.002 and community colleges;

(c) The articulation agreements between community colleges and public universities listed in ORS § 352.002 necessary to ensure that the applied baccalaureate degree programs are as widely available as possible;

(d) The resources required to implement the applied baccalaureate degree program;

(e) The timeline necessary to implement the applied baccalaureate degree program; and

(f) A recommendation as to whether community colleges should be allowed to offer applied baccalaureate degrees. [2009 c.779 § 1; 2011 c.9 § 36; 2011 c.637 207,207a]

348.910 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS Chapter 348 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

EDUCATION COMMISSION OF THE STATES