OKLAHOMA CITY - A proposal to study three-year bachelor’s degree programs by Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, advanced Tuesday with a unanimous vote from the House Postsecondary Education Committee.

House Bill 3315 would direct the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to conduct a feasibility study on bachelor’s degree programs that could be completed in three years, or 90 credit hours. 

Eaves said the proposal is designed to give lawmakers solid information before considering any future changes to higher education policy. 

"This bill gives us a way to take a careful, targeted look at three-year bachelor’s degree programs,” Eaves said. “It’s important that feasibility and accreditation are fully examined before moving forward." 

The study would review a range of academic fields and consider whether adjustments to course requirements, elective hours or overall credit totals are feasible. It also would evaluate potential impacts on accreditation standards as well as how three-year degrees would be viewed by employers and graduate programs. 

Under the bill, the State Regents would be required to submit a report outlining their findings to state leaders by July 1, 2027. 

HB3315 now advances to the Education Oversight Committee for further consideration.