In 2011, Texas Gov. Rick Perry challenged education
leaders in his state to develop a four-year baccalaureate degree that cost no
more than $10,000 to complete. Officials responded with a three-year degree
program that costs $13,000 and uses online courses to deliver on the low-cost
promise.
The Texas Affordable Baccalaureate Degree Program allows students to earn 90 credit hours online, with the last 30 offered in
both traditional classrooms and online settings. Students are also allowed to
earn credits for lower-division coursework by proving they have mastered the
concept.
The cost is $750 for each seven-week period and
includes e-textbooks. Students are able to complete as many courses as they can
within that seven-week period without additional cost.
The program was launched in early February at South
Texas College and Texas A&M-Commerce. It is supported by the College for
All Texans Foundation and a two-year, $1 million grant from Educause and the
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Its goal is to teach skills employers view
as necessary for students to join the workforce.
“We also listened to what national and regional
employers are saying they really want: graduates with critical thinking skills
who are quantitatively literate, can evaluate knowledge sources, understand
diversity, and benefit from a strong liberal arts and sciences backgrounds,”
said Van Davis, director of innovation, Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board. “This isn’t just another business degree.”
