Purpose of the Bill

The proposed legislation aims to expand the authority of Minnesota state universities to offer applied doctoral degrees. It acknowledges the need for public postsecondary institutions to adapt to emerging workforce requirements and advanced educational opportunities.

Main Provisions

• Expansion of Doctoral Degree Offerings: State universities, which could previously offer master's degrees and certain doctoral degrees, will now be authorized to provide applied doctoral programs in additional fields. These fields include education, business, psychology, physical therapy, audiology, nursing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and other emerging areas. This expansion responds to workforce needs and will be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

• Roles of Institutions:

  • Technical Colleges: Continue to offer vocational training for careers not requiring a bachelor’s degree.
  • Community Colleges: Provide lower division courses that can be transferred to baccalaureate degree programs and remedial studies.
  • Consolidated Community Technical Colleges: Offer combined instructional programs as provided by technical and community colleges.
  • University of Minnesota: Remains the primary state-supported institution for research and higher-level academic instruction.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This bill represents a significant change by broadening the scope of educational programs at state universities, allowing them to compete with the University of Minnesota in offering doctoral-level education in specific applied and emerging fields.

Relevant Terms

state universities, applied doctoral degrees, higher education, vocational training, community colleges, Board of Trustees of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, workforce needs, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence