Connecticut Lawmakers Reject Proposal for Three-Year Bachelor’s Degrees
A bill that would have allowed Connecticut’s colleges and universities to offer three-year bachelor’s degree programs has failed to pass the state legislature. The proposal, which aimed to lower the cost of higher education and accelerate students’ entry into the workforce, stalled in committee after Democratic leaders raised concerns about academic standards and program quality.
Bill Fails to Advance in Committee
The legislation, designated SB-00396, did not receive approval from the Connecticut General Assembly’s Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, effectively ending its chances of becoming law this session.
Arguments Against the Proposal
Opponents of the bill, including committee co-chairs and faculty members from the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), argued that 90-credit bachelor’s degrees could be misleading to students and employers. Concerns were raised that these degrees might not be recognized as equivalent to traditional four-year degrees by some graduate programs and employers. Wynn Gadkar Wilcox, a history professor at Western Connecticut State University and interim president of the university’s AAUP chapter, testified that reducing the number of credits could limit students’ exposure to a broad range of skills and knowledge.
Arguments in Favor of the Proposal
Proponents of the bill emphasized the potential for three-year degrees to address rising college costs and workforce shortages. Jennifer Widness, president of the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges, pointed out that several other New England states already offer such programs, and Connecticut risked becoming less competitive in attracting students. The state hospital association also supported the legislation, citing the potential to expand the healthcare workforce.
Current Landscape of Three-Year Degrees
According to the College-in-3 Exchange, more than 60 institutions nationwide have introduced or plan to introduce three-year degree programs. Many states are now encouraging the development of these programs, and regional accreditors have established frameworks for their implementation. However, most three-year programs focus on career-aligned majors, such as pre-physical therapy, criminal justice, and cybersecurity.
Legislative Concerns and Future Outlook
Senator Derek Slap, co-chair of the higher education committee, stated that the bill lacked sufficient safeguards regarding program standards, naming conventions, and review processes. Representative Greg Haddad, the other co-chair, indicated that future iterations of the bill would need to address these concerns, potentially including a prohibition on using the term “bachelor’s” in the degree title. Representative Seth Bronko expressed disappointment with the bill’s failure but anticipated its reintroduction in the next legislative session.
As of March 25, 2026, the Connecticut General Assembly consists of 36 Senators and 151 Representatives. The Senate is controlled by Democrats (25 seats), while the House is also controlled by Democrats (102 seats). The Connecticut General Assembly employs an online system for Freedom of Information Requests. The current legislative session began on January 8, 2025, following elections held on November 4, 2024. The 2024 election saw 151 state house members and 36 state senators sworn into office by the Connecticut House Speaker Matt Ritter.