Senate Bill 408 Summary

• Requires the Commission for Higher Education to develop, implement, and maintain single articulation pathways by July 1, 2015 for associate and baccalaureate degree programs where appropriate.

• Pathways must incorporate the statewide transfer general education core and be based on clearly identified competencies and learning outcomes for both associate and baccalaureate degrees.

• Students completing an associate degree with an established pathway can apply all credits toward a related baccalaureate degree and enter as junior status students at any four-year state educational institution offering that degree.

• Pathways must be developed with employer input regarding competencies and learning outcomes needed for successful careers and must be published on state higher education institution websites.

• Requires consideration of emerging innovations including distance education, prior learning assessments of civilian and military training, and industry-recognized certifications when developing pathways.