ATLANTA — The Georgia Board of Regents has approved a new applied sciences degree that would allow students to earn a college degree with 90 credit hours instead of the traditional 120.

University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue said the shorter degree is primarily aimed at adult learners, people with military backgrounds and those who already have workforce experience.

“If you look at military people, adult learners, those are really the people that we’re focusing on,” Perdue said.

Perdue said the 90-hour degree could allow students to enter the workforce sooner and take on less debt.

“The opportunity to get a job quicker, less debt,” Perdue said.

The applied sciences degree is intended for high-demand workforce areas and is not meant to replace the traditional four-year degree.

“It is not replacing a four year degree, but it is in high demand workforce areas,” Perdue said.

Perdue said there are some professions where students can be prepared for the workforce with fewer credit hours.

“There are some professions out there that our students can be totally confident and capable of completing 90 hours rather than 120 hours,” Perdue said.

The American Association of University Professors opposes the new degree, saying it does not address the issue of affordability.

WSB Radio’s Lisa Nicholas contributed to this story.