Massachusetts, February 13, 2026
News Summary
The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education has approved new regulations that allow public and private colleges and universities to propose pilot programs for three-year bachelor’s degrees. This initiative aims to streamline degree pathways and enhance student access while maintaining academic rigor and standards. To ensure quality, institutions must meet specific criteria and secure national accreditation. The move reflects the state’s commitment to innovate higher education and reduce the time and cost of obtaining a degree for students.
Boston, MA — The landscape of higher education in Massachusetts is poised for a significant transformation following a landmark decision by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE). New regulations have been approved, enabling public and private colleges and universities across the state to propose innovative pilot programs, including the option to offer three-year bachelor’s degrees.
This pioneering move reflects a commitment to enhancing academic efficiency and expanding student opportunities within Boston’s renowned collegiate environment and beyond. It signifies a forward-thinking approach to higher education, allowing institutions the flexibility to innovate while upholding the rigorous academic standards that define Massachusetts’s educational excellence. The initiative is set to foster a more dynamic and responsive educational system, benefiting students, institutions, and the wider community.
A New Era for Massachusetts Higher Education
The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education has officially approved new regulations that will allow public and private colleges and universities throughout the state to propose pilot programs for innovative degree pathways. A central feature of these new regulations is the option for institutions to offer three-year bachelor’s degrees. This initiative marks a significant shift from the traditional four-year degree structure, offering a more streamlined path for students to achieve their academic goals. The approved regulation specifically enables both public and private institutions to seek approval for these pilot programs, emphasizing a broad, state-level embrace of educational innovation.
Driving Force: The FY23 Budget Mandate
The impetus for these new regulations stems directly from the state’s fiscal year 2023 budget. This budget included a requirement that all Massachusetts public undergraduate colleges and universities explore and propose options for three-year degree programs. This legislative push underscores a broader state interest in improving access to postsecondary education and ensuring its continued relevance and affordability. The BHE’s task force and the subsequently proposed regulations are a direct response to this mandate, designed to create a framework for such innovative programs to thrive responsibly.
Ensuring Quality and Rigor
To maintain the high standards of Massachusetts higher education, colleges and universities proposing these innovation programs must meet specific criteria. Institutions would need to demonstrate that they possess sufficient resources, provide sufficient instructional time, and uphold appropriate academic rigor within their proposed curricula. Furthermore, all pilot programs must comply with existing state and federal financial aid rules, ensuring that students pursuing these accelerated pathways remain eligible for crucial financial support. These programs will require a dual approval process, needing both national accreditation and specific approval from the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. This dual oversight ensures that academic quality and student outcomes are prioritized throughout the implementation of these new models.
National Context and Precedent
While Massachusetts embarks on this pioneering journey at the state level, the concept of accelerated degree programs is gaining traction nationwide. The first three-year degree programs in the country to gain approval were online programs at Brigham Young University–Idaho and Ensign College in Utah, a development that occurred in July 2025. These nationwide examples provide valuable insights into the design and implementation of efficient and rigorous accelerated degree pathways, offering a broader context for Massachusetts institutions as they develop their own innovative proposals.
Expanding Inclusive Access
Beyond the acceleration of degree completion, a fundamental goal of these new regulations, as approved by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, is to improve inclusive access to postsecondary education for all. By offering alternative pathways and potentially reducing the overall cost and time commitment associated with a bachelor’s degree, these pilot programs aim to make higher education more attainable for a wider range of students. This aligns with a broader vision of fostering a skilled workforce and ensuring that educational opportunities are available to every aspiring learner within the Commonwealth.
Accreditation’s Vital Role
Accreditation plays a paramount role in maintaining the integrity and quality of higher education institutions and their offerings. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), for example, is a prominent body that accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the U.S.. For any new three-year degree program in Massachusetts to be recognized and respected, it will need to gain both state approval from the BHE and national accreditation from recognized agencies. This ensures that the degrees earned through these innovative programs are held to the same high standards as traditional four-year degrees, providing graduates with credible credentials for their future endeavors.
As Boston’s academic institutions consider these new opportunities, the focus remains on delivering outstanding education that prepares students for leadership and meaningful community impact. The introduction of three-year bachelor’s degrees presents an exciting avenue for academic innovation, fiscal responsibility, and expanded opportunities for students across the Commonwealth. Readers are encouraged to stay informed about developments within Massachusetts higher education and explore how Boston’s colleges and universities continue to lead in educational advancements. For more information on upcoming programs and campus events, continue to follow Boston MA college news and updates from the University of Massachusetts system and other esteemed institutions.
Key Features of Massachusetts’ Three-Year Degree Initiative
The following table summarizes the core aspects and requirements for institutions participating in the new three-year degree pilot programs in Massachusetts.
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Approval Authority | Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) | State-level |
| Eligible Institutions | Public and private colleges and universities in Massachusetts | State-level |
| Program Type | Pilot programs, including three-year bachelor’s degrees | State-level |
| Origin of Regulations | State’s fiscal year 2023 budget mandate | State-level |
| Required Resources | Sufficient instructional time, rigor, and institutional resources | State-level |
| Financial Aid Compliance | Must comply with state and federal financial aid rules | State-level |
| Accreditation Requirement | National accreditation and BHE approval required | Nationwide/State-level |
| First Approved National Programs | Online programs at Brigham Young University–Idaho and Ensign College (Utah) in July 2025 | Nationwide |
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts’ Three-Year Degree Programs
Here are answers to common questions regarding the new three-year degree initiative in Massachusetts.
What institution approved the new regulations for three-year degrees in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) approved new regulations that will allow public and private colleges and universities in the state to propose pilot programs, including the option to offer three-year bachelor’s degrees.
What types of institutions in Massachusetts can propose these pilot programs?
The approved regulation allows the state’s public and private colleges and universities to propose pilot programs for three-year bachelor’s degrees.
What prompted the creation of these new regulations for three-year degrees?
The task force and proposed regulations stem from the state’s fiscal year 2023 budget that required all Massachusetts public undergraduate colleges and universities to allow three-year degree options.
What are some key requirements for colleges proposing three-year degree pilot programs?
Colleges would need to have sufficient resources, provide sufficient instructional time and rigor, and comply with state and federal financial aid rules.
What approvals are needed for pilot programs offering three-year degrees in Massachusetts?
Pilot programs would need both national accreditation and state Board of Higher Education approval.
Were there any three-year degree programs approved nationally before Massachusetts?
The first three-year degree programs in the country—online programs at Brigham Young University–Idaho and Ensign College in Utah—gained approval in July 2025.
What is an overarching goal of the new regulations approved by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education?
The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education approved new state regulations to improve inclusive access to postsecondary education for all.
What role does The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) play in higher education?
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accredits degree-granting colleges and universities in the U.S.
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Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
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