The North Dakota State Board of Higher Education voted to let public colleges pilot reduced‑credit, three‑year bachelor of applied science degrees for certain majors, launching up to two pilots per campus from fall 2026 through 2030. The policy limits the experiment to applied, career‑focused programs such as exercise science and finance. Board officials framed the move as a response to national interest in shorter, lower‑cost degree pathways aimed at workforce entry. The pilots will allow institutions to test reduced‑credit models while preserving traditional 120‑credit standards for most majors. The decision reflects growing state experimentation with accelerated degrees to reduce time‑to‑credential and tuition burden, while raising questions about transferability, accreditation limits, and employer recognition.