Maryland Higher Education Commission - Academic Program Approval - Revisions

HB 479 requires private nonprofit colleges and universities in Maryland to submit a letter of intent to the Maryland Higher Education Commission every six months, detailing new graduate-level programs they plan to propose for approval. It repeals an existing restriction that previously limited which institutions could develop certain graduate programs, expanding the scope to include more private institutions. The bill revises specific sections of Maryland law governing academic program approval processes, ensuring private nonprofit institutions follow the same submission timeline as public universities for new graduate programs. This change, effective January 1, 2025, aims to standardize program approval procedures across all higher education institutions in the state.