Three-year degree program new trend at colleges
Stacey Howe
Issue date: 3/4/09 Section: News
As college tuition costs increase every year, some colleges are trying to cut the length of education programs to save students money.
Some universities believe that because of the economy, students will not have as much money to use for college costs. Outside the United States, other countries have used a three-year degree plan, and now the country seems to be catching on.
"The school always reviews issues such as this one, and we always make sure we have the most cost-efficient programs," said Western Illinois University Provost Jack Thomas. Thomas said current programs like GRADTRAC ensure students take all the required classes necessary to graduate in four years.
He went on to say that although a three-year degree plan could save students money, he thinks it is best for students to stay all four years to get as much as they can out of their time at Western Illinois University.
Since the 1980s Western has seen 1,581 students graduate after three years of attendance.
Some students already graduate in three years because they take summer classes or study abroad. With this three-year degree, students will take extra classes during the semester rather than taking outside classes.
Thomas said graduating early is good for some students because they can get out into the job market sooner. However, if students want to stay all four years, the school already has a set tuition for students to help reduce costs.
"I graduated in three years because with the economy the way it is, I don't want to pay for an extra year of school when I took summer classes," said Mollie Shmeling, senior law enforcement and justice administration major.
Having a break for summer in between school years can make students forget some of the things they learned during the semesters. Taking summer classes is more helpful for some students so that they are on track all year long and have a chance to get out into the job market earlier.
"There is a difference between graduating in three years because of summer classes and graduating early because of an overload of classes during the semesters," Thomas said.
Last month, The American Council of Education, Sen. Lamar Alexander and a former university president proposed that universities should consider adding this three-year degree as an option for students.
"We want our students to get a thorough knowledge and understanding in classes, while mastering and becoming more proficient in their area of study. If students can do that in only three years then we support that. We just want to make sure our students are well prepared for the future," Thomas said.
Some universities believe that because of the economy, students will not have as much money to use for college costs. Outside the United States, other countries have used a three-year degree plan, and now the country seems to be catching on.
"The school always reviews issues such as this one, and we always make sure we have the most cost-efficient programs," said Western Illinois University Provost Jack Thomas. Thomas said current programs like GRADTRAC ensure students take all the required classes necessary to graduate in four years.
He went on to say that although a three-year degree plan could save students money, he thinks it is best for students to stay all four years to get as much as they can out of their time at Western Illinois University.
Since the 1980s Western has seen 1,581 students graduate after three years of attendance.
Some students already graduate in three years because they take summer classes or study abroad. With this three-year degree, students will take extra classes during the semester rather than taking outside classes.
Thomas said graduating early is good for some students because they can get out into the job market sooner. However, if students want to stay all four years, the school already has a set tuition for students to help reduce costs.
"I graduated in three years because with the economy the way it is, I don't want to pay for an extra year of school when I took summer classes," said Mollie Shmeling, senior law enforcement and justice administration major.
Having a break for summer in between school years can make students forget some of the things they learned during the semesters. Taking summer classes is more helpful for some students so that they are on track all year long and have a chance to get out into the job market earlier.
"There is a difference between graduating in three years because of summer classes and graduating early because of an overload of classes during the semesters," Thomas said.
Last month, The American Council of Education, Sen. Lamar Alexander and a former university president proposed that universities should consider adding this three-year degree as an option for students.
"We want our students to get a thorough knowledge and understanding in classes, while mastering and becoming more proficient in their area of study. If students can do that in only three years then we support that. We just want to make sure our students are well prepared for the future," Thomas said.
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