The Arizona Board of Regents is considering an increase to the minimum required number of credit hours from 12 to 15, ABOR Vice Chairman Bob McLendon said.
“It might be a way of encouraging students to get through the University faster, which will eventually save them money,” McLendon said.
The idea of an increase was briefly mentioned at ABOR’s meeting Feb. 16 and was addressed because of the large amount of loan debt students will face upon graduation.
Students will be on track to receive a degree in four years if they take and pass 15 credits a semester, McLendon said.
McLendon said he understands some students need to work full time, so 15 units may be too heavy of a work load for those students.
ASU nutrition sophomore Ashley Abdoli is enrolled in 13 credit hours and would be unhappy if the minimum requirement was raised.
“I wouldn’t like this change because I wouldn’t be able to work as much,” Abdoli said.
In looking to improve Arizona universities, ABOR understands students will have to pay more money the longer they attend school, McLendon said.
“I want to make higher education affordable for students,” McLendon said.
This idea will be presented to the Academic Affairs Committee and will be brought to ABOR for voting if passed by the committee.
Changing the requirement of credit hours is a long process, McLendon said. There is a possibility that ABOR will never vote on this issue.
ABOR plans to speak with experts at the universities so they can make the right decision for students.
“We need to look at all the ramifications to make a fully informed decision,” McLendon said.
McLendon said ABOR is available to listen to all types of opinions and ideas about this topic.
ASU kinesiology junior Eric Bjorklund works around 15 hours a week at the Student Recreation Center and is enrolled in 13 credit hours.
Although he has a busy schedule, Bjorklund said raising the number of units would be a positive idea because it would help students graduate quicker.
“I think that this would raise the bar for ASU,” Bjorklund said.
Reach the reporter at amhayne1@asu.edu
Click here to subscribe to the daily State Press newsletter.
