Evidence satisfactory to the department of the successful completion of a course of study at any accredited college or university in the United States of America, approved by the Commissioner of Education of the State of New York or by a regional accrediting agency accepted by said Commissioner of Education, which has a program leading to a recognized collegiate degree, which includes therein a major in real estate, may be deemed acceptable for the educational credit under sections 176.3 and 176.4 of this Part, provided attendance at such real estate course is not less than 120 hours in the case of an applicant for licensure as a real estate broker, and 75 hours in the case of an applicant for licensure as a real estate salesperson, and the applicant presents evidence of the issuance of a bachelor's degree and that he has passed the required course in real estate.