Giles Sims, a 34-year-old web developer, faced challenges in getting hired due to his lack of a college degree. With family responsibilities, including supporting his wife and widowed mother, Sims needed a speedy career solution. He found it in the form of a three-year degree program. “I can’t afford to be out of the workforce for four years. That just seems like forever, and the three-year made it seem less daunting,” he said. Sims enrolled at Ensign College in Salt Lake City, which transformed all bachelor’s degrees into condensed, fewer-credit programs. This shift is gaining traction across the U.S., with 26 states now offering at least one reduced-credit, three-year bachelor’s program according to RAND Group.
Advocates argue that these programs address issues of college affordability and are beneficial for non-traditional students like Sims. However, there are concerns from critics. They worry about limited learning scope, employer confusion, challenges in graduate school acceptance, and complications in fields requiring state licenses. Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors, expressed these concerns, stating, “This is not innovation. This is just cutting corners.”
The New Education Landscape
Historically, accelerated college programs offered quicker graduation by eliminating lengthy breaks and shortening course durations. Despite retaining full course loads, these earlier programs differ from current three-year programs that reduce credit hours. Completing 90 credit hours, as opposed to the traditional 120, enables students to graduate a year earlier. Countries like the UK, India, and Italy commonly offer three-year degrees; however, this may complicate entrance into U.S. graduate schools which often require additional coursework.
The idea of three-year degrees sparked interest in 2009 when Robert Zemsky, director of the Institute for Research on Higher Education at the University of Pennsylvania, advocated for them in a Newsweek article. Initial resistance came from accreditation bodies insisting on 120 credits. But in 2022, amid affordability concerns, Zemsky reignited the conversation with the College-in-3 Exchange. Several institutions joined, exploring faster routes to obtaining degrees.
Accreditation Changes and Tuition Costs
In 2023, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities approved reduced-credit programs at Ensign College and Brigham Young University-Idaho. Following suit, other accreditors joined the initiative. As of May, 119 reduced-credit programs were announced, according to RAND Group’s analysis. These changes come as tuition costs continue to rise, averaging $11,950 for in-state public students and $45,000 at private nonprofits, though discounts frequently reduce these amounts, as reported by the College Board.
Private nonprofit schools predominantly offer reduced-credit programs online, often compressing majors through elective reduction. Business degrees are popular, particularly in marketing and management. Engineering and teacher education programs face greater challenges in reducing credits due to extensive math and real-world experience requirements.
Non-Traditional Student Successes and Concerns
Jill Cohen, 42, from rural Yoder, Colorado, is taking advantage of the compressed teaching degree program through Indiana Wesleyan. Having left a career in life insurance after a debilitating farming accident, she now teaches middle school English as part of a “Grow Your Own” program addressing teacher shortages. Cohen values the streamlined degree, which allows her to focus on relevant courses while managing family and farm obligations.
Despite program benefits, Jenna Kramer from RAND highlights concerns regarding state licensing requirements. Programs must meet specific state needs, with Indiana Wesleyan ensuring compliance for Indiana. Students outside Indiana should verify requirements, advised Pam Downing, the school’s communications director.
The novelty of these programs means there’s uncertainty in admitting graduates to further education. Students like Gabriella Staten and Wesley Hardy acknowledge the risks. Staten, a digital marketing student at Mount Mary University, expects to save $20,000 but wonders about employer perceptions. Hardy appreciates entering the workforce sooner but questions state-specific requirements for becoming a certified public accountant.
Bruce Kusch, president of Ensign, consults with other college presidents and remains optimistic about the acceptance of three-year graduates into graduate schools. Hardy, however, considers the potential need for extra courses. “Would I have to take extra classes?” he asked, pondering the path ahead.
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