It can take students five or six tears to graduate. Who wants to wait that long and spend that much money? Now some colleges are offering a way to graduate early.
To graduate early, most usually students have to use AP credits or jam in extra classes to accumulate the necessary credits to graduate ahead of time. Now colleges are looking at accommodating accelerated students and students who want to save money. If a student knows what career she wants to pursue, is interested in an educational challenge, or wants to increase his competitive bid for a job or for graduate school, colleges are beginning to make that possible.
First, a three–year degree is 25% cheaper than a four-year degree and can save one year’s tuition which can range from $10,000 to $45,000. Also a three-year degree can get students into the job market faster so they are earning money. For students who are looking to go on to graduate or professional schools, a three-year degree not only gets them working on their future earlier, but also makes them look more attractive as candidates.
Three-year degrees may require the same standards as a four-year degree. In this case, schools offering a three-year degree give enrolled students preferred registration. Students take one extra course per semester. They can also take advantage of January or May terms for more class options or to fit in study abroad programs. But, some schools are looking into designing completely different three-year degree programs. They are looking at the typical four-year, 120-credit paradigms and asking if this is the only way to earn a legitimate degree.
Some colleges presently offering three-year degrees are Hartwick in New York, Bates College in Maine, Southern New Hampshire University, and Franklin and Marshall. All Rhode Island states school should have three-year degrees available in their curricula by the fall of 2010.
