Tennessee universities are trying to help students who transfer from community colleges get the associate degrees they may still lack.
The state currently doesn't have a system for students who transfer from community colleges to receive an associate degree at four-year schools.
But The Tennessean reports a so-called "reverse transfer" program would allow students to collect that degree credential when requirements are met in pursuit of a bachelor's degree.
A pilot run of the program is set to begin in the fall. Officials hope to fully roll it out in the spring of 2015 and involve every public higher institution in Tennessee and some private schools.