Oklahoma – Gov. Kevin Stitt took aim at Texas while highlighting Oklahoma’s push toward faster college degrees, saying Oklahoma is “always a step above Texas” as the University of Oklahoma moves forward with 90-hour bachelor’s degree programs.
“Oklahoma – always a step above Texas!” Stitt said Friday. “@UofOklahoma is pioneering the 90 hour bachelors degree and getting students into the workforce faster.”
The comment came shortly after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop a statewide framework for three-year bachelor’s degree pathways. Abbott’s Aug. 26 announcement called for a working group to examine how Texas universities could offer bachelor’s degrees in three years rather than the traditional four.
The proposed Texas model could allow some students to complete a bachelor’s degree with about 90 credit hours instead of the traditional 120, with state officials arguing that the approach could reduce the cost of higher education and allow graduates to enter the workforce sooner, according to The Texas Tribune.
Stitt used the development in Texas to point to Oklahoma’s progress on the same issue, noting that the University of Oklahoma is already moving forward with the 90-hour degree model.
Oklahoma’s State Regents for Higher Education established a framework for evaluating proposed three-year bachelor’s degree programs. The framework is designed to assess academic quality, workforce demand, student outcomes and accreditation requirements while maintaining the academic standards expected of public universities.
The University of Oklahoma has positioned itself to become one of the first Oklahoma institutions to offer the accelerated degrees. OU has been developing programs under the state’s new framework after Oklahoma lawmakers and Stitt pushed for shorter degree pathways.
The effort traces back to Stitt’s push earlier this year for 90-credit-hour “accelerated” bachelor’s degrees. In February, he signed an executive order calling for a 90-day feasibility study examining whether such degrees could reduce the time and cost required to earn a bachelor’s degree while maintaining quality and workforce relevance.
The Oklahoma Legislature later advanced legislation supporting the development of three-year degree pathways. Stitt has argued that the programs could help students graduate with less debt and enter Oklahoma’s workforce sooner.
The comparison with Texas comes as several states and universities across the country explore similar programs. The trend has gained momentum as colleges look for ways to lower education costs and help students complete degrees more quickly. The Associated Press reported that three-year degree programs are now being offered or developed in at least 26 states, generally reducing the requirement from 120 credits to about 90.
Supporters say accelerated programs could particularly benefit students who want to enter the workforce quickly or reduce the amount of time they spend paying tuition and living expenses. Critics, however, have raised concerns about whether reducing the number of required credits could affect the breadth of a student’s education, graduate-school opportunities or preparation for certain professions.
For Oklahoma, Stitt has presented the initiative as part of a broader effort to make higher education more affordable and align college programs with the state’s workforce needs.
His latest comments also turned the development into a friendly rivalry with Texas, where Abbott has now ordered officials to develop their own three-year degree framework.
While Texas is beginning the process of creating statewide pathways, Oklahoma officials have already established a framework allowing universities to propose 90-hour programs. OU has been among the institutions moving forward under that framework.
Stitt’s message was clear: Oklahoma does not intend to wait for Texas to catch up.
“Oklahoma – always a step above Texas!” the governor said.
Gov. Stitt takes aim at Texas after Gov. Abbott announces three-year degree plan, says “Oklahoma always a step above Texas” as OU pioneers 90-hour bachelor’s degree
