Rhode Island § 16-112-3 - Apprenticeship Pathways to Earning a Bachelor’s Degree Act

§ 16-112-3. Implementation.

(a) By January 1, 2024, each state public higher education institution shall adopt policies establishing nontraditional pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree at the state’s public higher education institutions through the inclusion of credits earned through apprenticeships, as further provided in subsection (e) of this section.

(b) The policies adopted by each higher education institution shall be subject to review and approval of the board of education. The board shall reject or modify any policies that are unduly burdensome for students seeking the apprenticeship pathway to earning a bachelor’s degree. This review shall be completed by April 1, 2024.

(c) In addition, the board of education shall adopt policies to uniformly address the following:

(1) The form and manner in which registered apprenticeships may be determined to be eligible for inclusion in a nontraditional pathway to earning a bachelor’s degree, including through public-private partnerships or an application process.

(d) No later than September 1, 2024, the board shall convene a workgroup, including, but not limited to, representatives from the department of labor and training, the office of the postsecondary commissioner, public higher education institutions, the state apprenticeship council, and the construction trades. The purpose of the workgroup is to advise the board regarding the implementation of nontraditional pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree, including assisting with the review pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and with the development of the plan required by § 16-112-4.

(e) The policies that shall be adopted by each public higher education institution shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) The process by which a student may request academic credit for registered apprenticeship coursework and experience;

(2) The number of credits a student may earn through coursework and experience hours in a registered apprenticeship;

(3) The development of clear guidelines distinguishing credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing apprenticeship coursework including, but not limited to, standardizing the process of assigning credit to apprenticeship coursework; and

(4) Guidelines to determine degree majors towards which credits for apprenticeships may be earned, including giving priority to majors that have both a low completion rate and a hiring need by employers existing in the state.

(f) The policies of the public higher education institutions adopted pursuant to this section shall become effective beginning August 1, 2024.