University of Oklahoma students could earn a bachelor's degree in three years instead of four under a new program the state approved Sept. 3.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education unanimously approved accelerated degree programs at OU, Oklahoma State University and Rogers State University. The four programs require 90 to 103 credit hours, compared to the 120 hours a traditional bachelor's degree demands. They are the first reduced-credit-hour bachelor's degrees in the state's history, Oklahoma Voice reported.

For Norman families, the most direct change is at OU: a 90-credit-hour degree in applied social work. OSU received approval for two programs, a 92-credit-hour bachelor of applied science in artificial intelligence and a 90-hour bachelor of applied science in business essentials and applications. Rogers State will offer a 99- to 103-credit-hour bachelor of applied science in workforce development.

None are open to students yet. Each program must clear accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission, a process OSU Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Chris Francisco said could take five to eight months, according to the Journal Record. If accreditation goes smoothly, the programs could launch by fall 2027.

OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. pointed to a Strada Education Foundation study showing only 24% of Oklahoma's workforce holds a bachelor's degree. "We've all spoken to those looking to come to Oklahoma to supply new jobs … That is the No. 1 thing they point to," Harroz said at the Sept. 3 regents meeting, as reported by the Journal Record.

The push began in February when Gov. Kevin Stitt issued an executive order directing the regents and universities to explore reduced-credit-hour degrees. The Legislature also charged the regents with studying the concept. The regents adopted a framework in May allowing schools to propose bachelor's programs as short as 90 credit hours. OU's Board of Regents had approved the concept in January, making OU the first R-1 research university to pursue such programs, according to a university press release.

All four programs carry productivity deadlines.

If enrollment and graduation targets are not met, extensions may not be granted beyond fall 2031 or fall 2032, depending on the program. Regents Chair Courtney Warmington said the vote positions Oklahoma among states shaping a still-emerging national model for shorter degree paths.