The Louisiana Board of Regents approved an expansion of the Louisiana Transfer Degree Guarantee program and amended admission standards for state universities Thursday at its monthly meeting.
The Board broadened the Louisiana Transfer Degree to include business and mass communication as major tracks for completing the transfer program.  The program, established by legislators in 2009, focuses on providing students with a set path to travel to help them transfer from two-year to four-year institutions with minimal credit loss.
Students who graduate with the transfer degree are guaranteed acceptance into one of Louisiana’s public four-year universities. Additionally, students are guaranteed 60 credit hours and junior standing at the institution to which they transfer.
“It’s a great way for students who want to start at a community college but have the aspiration of completing a four-year degree to get their first two years under their belts with no loss of credits,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Jim Purcell. “It’s one area where Louisiana is really leading the way.”
In other action, the Board approved an amendment to the Core 4 curriculum requirements it passed in 2008. The Core 4 curriculum consists of courses in math, English, science and social studies that need to be completed to gain entrance into a public state university. It will take effect in 2012.
Amid concerns regarding the impact of new graduation requirements, the Board amended the policy to allow high school students graduating in 2012 more lenient standards. The class of 2012 will not be required to complete a unit in the art category that is otherwise necessary to be eligible for admission to a public state university.
The Board also approved Intermediate Level Autonomies Performance Requirements for LA GRAD Act campuses. According to the Board, institutions may be granted Intermediate Level Autonomy if they pass their annual review and meet the Board’s requirements for “significantly streamlining its academic service delivery to students.”
To demonstrate the completion of this process, institutions will take action on two items from a list approved by the Board.
 
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Contact Josh Naquin at [email protected]