SB77 Alabama 2015 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Gerald O. Dial
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2015
Title: Associate degree, awarding of by 2-year public college to students who transfer to 4-year public college and subsequently qualify, Sec. 16-5-8.5 added
Summary: SB77 would require public two-year colleges to award an associate degree to students who transfer to a public four-year college after earning 60 semester hours and meet degree requirements.
What This Bill Does
Defines transfer students as those who have earned at least 15 semester hours at a two-year college and then transfer to a four-year college. It directs the state to create a program where a two-year college awards an associate degree to a transfer student who accumulates 60 semester hours and meets graduation requirements, based on a degree audit. The two-year college must perform the degree audit once the student hits 60 combined hours and tell the student what additional coursework, if any, is needed. The four-year college must notify the student when they qualify for the degree audit by the two-year college.

Who It Affects
Transfer students who move from a public two-year college to a public four-year college; they could earn an associate degree after reaching 60 credits and meeting requirements.
Public two-year colleges; they must conduct degree audits and award the associate degree to eligible transfer students.
Public four-year colleges; they must notify students when they qualify for a degree audit and support the transfer process.

Key Provisions
Public two-year colleges must award an associate degree to transfer students who accumulate 60 semester hours and meet graduation requirements, based on a degree audit.
A defined process: after a student reaches 60 credits, the Articulation and General Studies Committee must notify the student and, with the student's permission, share the student’s email with the two-year college; the two-year college then conducts a degree audit to determine qualification and either awards the degree or specifies additional coursework.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Postsecondary Education