Maryland's Public System of Higher Education

                      III - 8.02
   UNIVERSITY SYSTEM OF MARYLAND POLICY ON STANDARD CREDIT
       REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
                              
    (Approved by the Board of Regents, February 18, 2005)

     There are a number of institutional and individual factors 
     governing the amount of time a particular student takes to 
     complete the baccalaureate degree.  It is clear that the number 
     of programs requiring more than 120 credits is one factor in 
     extending student enrollment.  In an attempt to ensure that 
     students who are enrolled full- time for at least 15 credits 
     per semester can complete their baccalaureate programs within 
     four years, the USM shall adopt the following guidelines for 
     baccalaureate programs.

1.   The standard number of credits required for
     receipt of a baccalaureate degree from a USM institution
     shall be 120.

2.   Exceptions to this 120-credit standard shall be allowed
     in the following instances:

     a.   The program is defined as a five-year baccalaureate
          program.
     b.   Professional accreditation requirements stipulate a
          higher number of credits or require coursework that cannot
          be realistically completed within 120 credits.
     c.   A program is governed by certification requirements
          that result in a need for credits in excess of 120 over four
          years.
     
3.   Institutions with other compelling reasons for
     exceeding the 120-credit standard may request an
     exception to this policy to from the Chancellor.  On an
     annual basis, the Chancellor will report approved exceptions
     to the Board of Regents.

4.   Institutions shall be asked to report periodically on
     the number of credits required by programs in their
     academic inventory and the rationale for any exceptions to
     the 120-credit standard.

This policy shall become effective on July 1, 2005.