NJ A3291

County college boards of trustees may submit proposals to the New Jersey Presidents' Council to establish baccalaureate degree programs in applied sciences fields with critical labor shortages in their region.

Proposals must include program descriptions, facility and resource identification, cost analysis, admission requirements, curriculum details, faculty credentials, accreditation plans, and enrollment projections.

The Presidents' Council has 30 days to identify deficiencies and 45 days to forward completed proposals with recommendations to the Secretary of Higher Education, who then has 60 days to approve or disapprove.

Each county college is limited to offering no more than three baccalaureate degree programs under this process, and all programs require accreditation from the appropriate accrediting body.

Seven years after establishing a program, county colleges must report to the Secretary, Governor, and Legislature on implementation, enrollment, and completion data, with the Secretary recommending whether to continue the program.