Missouri law allows a block of 42 credit hours to transfer between the state’s public colleges and universities. Rep. Cameron Parker, R-Campbell, is sponsoring a bill that would expand the number of college credits that can transfer in-state to possibly 60 hours.
“By statute, that four-year institution is only required to take the 42 hours,” Parker told Missourinet. “So, what we are seeing is problems with one, parents paying for duplicate classes, which is expensive to the student if they’re paying for it themselves. It’s expensive to the parent if the parent is having to assist. Also, they’re repeating classes.”
Parker is proposing to have Missouri’s Coordinating Board for Higher Education work with the public colleges and universities to increase the block of transferable hours for at least five degree programs.
“You know, we want a seamless transfer,” said Parker. “I mean that’s what we’re trying to do – a transition from a community college to a four-year (college) where you don’t pay extra money. It helps your students; it helps your parents. And I think it’s good for colleges to be able to work together to say, ‘we’ll take your students.’”
The block is for lower-division courses.
“You’re taking 60 anyway with a community college,” said Parker. “That’s your requirement. That’s the magic number to get out of a community college with an AA degree, or an Associate’s degree. We’re trying to make all of those hours transfer over.”
Paul Wagner, executive director of Missouri’s Council on Public Higher Education, said the bill could exclude students outside of popular degree programs. He also he would prefer the bill to be broad because he said getting each college to agree on a 60-credit-hour program would be a big chore.
With the House unanimously passing Parker’s bill, the next order of business is Senate debate.
Fewer than three weeks remain in the Missouri Legislature’s regular session and many bills are waiting on the Senate to make a move.
For more information on House Bill 2310, click here.
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