HB 1159
Department of Legislative Services
Maryland General Assembly
2021 Session
FISCAL AND POLICY NOTE
First Reader
House Bill 1159 (Delegate Thiam)
Appropriations
Higher Education – Community College Credits – General Education Courses
This bill requires that all general education credits that a student earns at any community
college in the State toward an associate of arts or associate of science degree be transferable
to any public four-year institution in the State for credit toward a bachelor’s degree without
(1) further review by a public four-year institution or (2) a testing requirement. The bill
takes effect July 1, 2021.
Fiscal Summary
State Effect: To the extent community college general education credits that are
transferred to public four-year institutions fulfill graduation requirements, higher education
revenues at public four-year institutions decrease by an estimated $315 per credit hour.
Any such revenue loss may be at least partially offset by higher level courses taken by
students that remain enrolled. Nevertheless, as explained below, the number of courses that
a transfer student takes at the public four-year institution of higher education is likely not
significantly impacted; thus, revenues are likely not significantly affected. Baltimore City
Community College revenues and expenditures are not materially affected.
Local Effect: Local community college revenues and expenditures are not materially
affected.
Small Business Effect: None.
 Analysis
Current Law:
Federal Transfer of Credit Requirements
According to federal law and regulations, an institution participating in a Title IV student
aid program must make readily available, to enrolled and prospective students, a
description of the transfer of credit policies established by the institution, which must
include (1) any established criteria the institution uses regarding the transfer of credit
earned at another institution and any types of institutions or sources from which the
institution will not accept credits; (2) a list of institutions with which the institution has
established an articulation agreement; and (3) written criteria used to evaluate and award
credit for prior learning experiences, including, but not limited to, service in the
armed forces, paid or unpaid employment, or other demonstrated competency or learning.
Statute – Transfer Requirements
The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) must establish procedures for
transfer of students between public segments of postsecondary education. MHEC must
recommend cooperative programs among segments of postsecondary education to assure
appropriate flexibility in the higher education system. In conjunction with the governing
boards of institutions, MHEC must establish standards for articulation agreements.
MHEC, in collaboration with the public institutions of higher education, was required to
develop and implement, by July 1, 2016, a statewide transfer agreement whereby at least
60 credits of general education, elective, and major courses that a student earns at any
community college in the State toward an associate of arts or associate of science degree
must be transferable to any public four-year higher education institution in the State for
credit toward a bachelor’s degree.
In addition, MHEC, in collaboration with the public institutions of higher education, was
required to develop and implement, by July 1, 2016, a statewide reverse transfer agreement
whereby at least 30 credits that a student earns at any public four-year institution in the
State toward a bachelor’s degree are transferable to any community college in the State for
credit toward an associate’s degree.
Regulations – Transfer of Courses and Credits
The Code of Maryland Regulations establishes detailed transfer requirements that specify
which types of credits and courses must transfer. In general, credit earned at any public
institution in the State is transferable to any other public institution if (1) the credit is from
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a college or university parallel course or program; (2) grades in the block of courses
transferred averaged 2.0 or higher; and (3) acceptance of the credit is consistent with the
policies of the receiving institution governing native students following the same program.
In addition, community college courses taken as part of a recommended transfer program
degree must be applicable to related programs at the receiving public institution granting
the degree if successfully completed in accordance with the receiving institution’s policies
governing native students in the same program.
In general, a completed general education program must transfer (as lower division credits)
without further review or approval by the receiving institution and without the need for a
course-by-course match. The assignment of credit through a nationally recognized
standardized exam such as the Advanced Placement (known as AP) exam must be
determined according to the same standards that apply to native students in the receiving
institution and consistent with the State minimum requirements. Other nontraditional
credit, such as technical courses from career programs, must be evaluated on a
course-by-course basis according to the same standards that apply to native students.
Regulations – Transfer of General Education Credits
A student transferring to one public institution from another public institution must receive
general education credit for work completed at the student’s sending institution, as
specified.
A receiving institution may not require a transfer student who has completed the requisite
number of general education credits at any public institution to take, as a condition of
graduation, more than 10 to 18 additional semester hours of general education and specific
courses required of all students at the receiving institution, with the total number not to
exceed 46 semester hours. However, this does not relieve students of the obligation to
complete specific academic program requirements or course prerequisites required by a
receiving institution.
Each public institution must designate on or with the student transcript those courses that
have met its general education requirements, as well as indicate whether the student has
completed the general education program.
While there may be variance in the numbers of hours of general education required for
associate’s degrees at a given institution, the courses identified as meeting general
education requirements for all degrees must come from the same general education course
list and exclude technical or career courses.
A student possessing an associate’s degree who transfers into a receiving institution with
fewer than the total number of general education credits designated by the receiving
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institution must complete the difference in credits according to the distribution as
designated by the receiving institution. Except as specified, the total general education
credits for baccalaureate degree-granting public receiving institutions may not exceed
46 credits.
Regulations – Student Transfer Responsibilities
According to regulations, a student is held accountable for the loss of credits that (1) result
from changes in the student’s selection of the major program of study; (2) were earned for
remedial course work; or (3) exceed the total course credits accepted in transfer. A student
is also responsible for meeting all requirements of the academic program of the receiving
institution.
Regulations – General Education Courses Transfer Mediation Committee
According to regulations, sending and receiving institutions that disagree on the
transferability of general education courses must submit their disagreements to the
Secretary of Higher Education, who must appoint a Transfer Mediation Committee to
adjudicate the disagreement. Members appointed to the committee must be representative
of the public four-year colleges and universities and the community colleges. The
committee must address general education issues at the course or curricular level, not
individual student cases. As appropriate, the committee must consult with faculty on
curricular issues. The findings of the committee are considered binding on both parties.
Regulations – Denial of Credit
According to regulations, the receiving institution must inform the student of the denial in
writing no later than the middle of the student’s first semester at the institution and must
additionally inform the student of their right to appeal the decision. If the student exercises
their right to appeal, the institution must respond within 10 working days, and their decision
must be conveyed to the student in writing and be consistent with the applicable
regulations. If the appeal is denied, the student may, within 10 working days, request that
the transfer coordinator of their sending institution intercede on their behalf.
Representatives of both institutions must affirm, modify, or reverse the initial decision
within 15 working days of the request. This decision is final and must be conveyed to the
student in writing.
Regulations – Transfer Coordinator
A public institution of higher education must designate a transfer coordinator, who serves
as a resource person to transfer students at either the sending or receiving campus. The
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transfer coordinator is responsible for overseeing the application of the policies and
procedures and interpreting transfer policies to the individual student and to the institution.
Student Transfer Advisory Committee
The Student Transfer Advisory Committee (STAC) was codified in statute by Chapter 327
of 2012 for a 10-year period; thus, it terminates June 30, 2022. According to regulations,
MHEC must establish a permanent STAC. STAC is expected to review and analyze
(1) matriculation and student support services, including admission and advising practices
and (2) any other student transfer-related issues referred to it by MHEC. STAC is required
to report by December 1 in odd-numbered years.
Statute – General Education
Among other requirements, the community colleges of the State must provide a core
curriculum of general education, including courses in the arts and sciences, that should be
available to all students and provide lower level undergraduate course, in accordance with
credit transfer guidelines set by MHEC, for students who aspire to continue their education
at a public four-year institution.
Each public institution of higher education must develop a pathway system whereby public
institutions of higher education establish graduation progress benchmarks for each
academic major and for the general education program for students who have not declared
a major.
Regulations – General Education Requirements for Public Institutions
While public institutions have the autonomy to design their general education program to
meet their unique needs and mission, that program must conform to the definitions and
common standards in regulations, and incorporate the general education knowledge and
skills required by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education Standards for
Accreditation. Exhibit 1 shows the general education program requirements for public
institutions of higher education in the State.
A course in a discipline listed in more than one of the areas of general education may be
applied only to one area of general education. Public institutions may not include physical
education skills courses as part of the general education requirements.
General education courses must reflect current scholarship in the discipline and provide
reference to theoretical frameworks and methods of inquiry appropriate to academic
disciplines. Courses that are theoretical may include applications, but all application
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courses must include theoretical components if they are to be included as meeting general
education requirements.
Exhibit 1
General Education Program Requirements
Public Institutions of Higher Education Credits
Associate of Associate of Bachelor of
Distribution Areas Applied Science Arts/Science Arts/Science
English Composition1 3 3 3
1,2
Mathematics 3 3 3
Arts and Humanities1,3 3 6 6
1,4
Social and Behavioral Sciences 3 6 6
1,5
Biological and Physical Sciences 3 6 6
6
Interdisciplinary and Emerging Issues Optional Optional Optional
Additional Credits7 5-21 0-12 8-22
Total Required GE Credits 20-36 30-36 40-46
Max Additional GE for BA/BS 20-26 10-16 n/a
BA: Bachelor of Arts
BS: Bachelor of Science
GE: general education
n/a: not applicable
1
Minimum credit.
2
At or above the level of college algebra.
3
One course from each of two disciplines, which may include speech, foreign language, or composition
and literature courses.
4
One course from each of two disciplines.
5
Two courses, including one laboratory.
6
Not required, but will transfer as part of a general education program. These courses may be integrated
into other general education courses or may be presented as separate courses. Examples include, but are not
limited, to health, diversity, and computer literacy. Courses must provide academic content and rigor
equivalent to other general education areas.
7
Additional credits may be assigned by each institution from English, mathematics, arts and humanities,
social and behavioral sciences and biological and physical sciences to complete the number of credits
required for the general education program.
Note: Since St. Mary’s College of Maryland (SMCM) offers a curriculum based on four-credit courses,
the total credits required for general education at SMCM is 48 credits. Remaining general education
requirements for a bachelor’s degree at SMCM after completion of an Associate of Applied Science Degree
is 10 to 28 credits maximum and after completion of the Associate of Arts/Science Degree is 10 to 18 credits
maximum.
Source: Code of Maryland Regulations; Maryland Higher Education Commission; Department of
Legislative Services
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State Revenues: Higher education revenues at public four-year institutions decrease, but
the net effect over the long term is not anticipated to be significant as the total number of
courses a transfer student takes is not expected to be materially affected. As explained in
greater depth below, to the extent community college transfer students are able to take
fewer general education courses at public four-year institutions (due to those courses
transferring from community colleges), public four-year revenues decrease by an estimated
$315 per credit hour. However, this revenue loss is at least partially offset by higher level
courses taken by students that remain enrolled and the need to take certain courses to fulfill
requirements for majors and/or a degree to be granted by the institution.
This estimate assumes that a student must still complete all the requirements of a bachelor’s
degree at the receiving institution. A bachelor’s degree consists of approximately
120 credits of three types of courses: general education; major requirements; and electives.
The distribution of these courses varies from institution to institution and from major to
major. Most majors require particular 100-level and 200-level courses (or a selection of
specified 100-level and 200-level courses) in the area of study, and often in supporting
areas, for graduation. Such “gateway” courses are required to build a student’s foundational
knowledge that will be used in the 300-level and 400-level courses in the major. Certain
majors and institutions may also require students to complete a specific number of
credit hours at the degree-granting institution.
For example:
 To remain at 120 credits for a bachelor’s degree, some majors require specific
gateway courses be taken to meet both general education and major requirements.
A biology major may be required to complete specific 100-level and 200-level
biology courses such as principles of biology and cell biology as well as specific
math and chemistry courses.
 Some institutions have general education requirements that, in general, must be
taken at that institution, even if the student has taken the general education course
at another institution. The University of Maryland, College Park Campus (UMCP)
requires students to complete two (3-credit hour) distributive studies courses that
are approved in the I-Series category.
 Technical majors tend to have more specific major requirements and may even limit
students to specific technical electives.
 The general biology degree at UMCP requires 15 to 16 credit hours of specific basic
biology courses at the 100-level and 200-level; 32 credit hours of specific
supporting courses at the 100-level and 200-level; 27 credit hours of general
education courses in a specific distribution; and 27 credit hours of biology at the
300-level and 400-level, including two laboratory courses.
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This estimate assumes that general education credits that transfer, but do not meet a
student’s major graduation requirements, may fulfill elective requirements. They may also
be used to calculate class standing