New Missouri law aimed at helping college transfer students

This photo taken Nov. 9, 2015, shows a University of Missouri student walking across the bridge over Providence Road.
This photo taken Nov. 9, 2015, shows a University of Missouri student walking across the bridge over Providence Road.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Missouri public colleges and universities are set to restructure general education courses to make it easier for students to get credit for classes if they transfer schools.

Gov. Jay Nixon on Thursday signed legislation that will require schools to adopt similar 42-credit-hour, lower-level curriculums.

The goal is for public colleges and universities to set up similar general education classes so students can more easily transfer.

Colleges and universities will need to implement the program by the fall 2018 school year. It will ensure students can transfer and get credit for those classes.

The legislation also allows community colleges and other two-year postsecondary schools to offer classes to high school students.

It will create a scholarship for low-income high school students who take college classes.