Democracy Dies in Darkness

Maryland drops degree requirement from some jobs, adding to debate over value of college

A new initiative will target workers who don’t have a four-year degree but have other skills and experience

March 20, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. EDT
The Shoemaker Building at the University of Maryland campus at College Park. (Amanda Andrade-Rhoades for The Washington Post)
5 min

Gov. Larry Hogan’s recent announcement that Maryland would no longer require college degrees for many state jobs was welcomed by some as a common-sense way to address labor shortages and provide greater opportunities for skilled workers, and questioned by others who worried it lowered standards.

The move highlighted the ongoing debate over the value of higher education.