Hunter
11/12/26
The University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa have announced a new three-year degree program.
The Gazette reports a state Board of Regents committee recommended approval of the two new “bachelor of applied professional studies” programs.
The degrees come as a result of a state legislative mandate passed in 2025 requiring Iowa’s public universities create three-year bachelor’s degrees to cut the cost of attending college and address rising workforce demands.
Typical bachelor degrees require 120 credits; the new three-year degree offerings reduce the number of credits needed. Officials at the U of I and UNI say the new programs are more geared to individuals who have some college but no degree, or a military transcript enabling transfer to a university program.
The University of Iowa’s program is more geared toward health studies, allowing students to earn a pathway to an MRI certificate or a health care services specialty. UI officials say over 62,000 medical and health services manager openings are anticipated each year, with a projected 23% growth in health care management occupations.