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3 year bachelor's degree, growing trend
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2026 2:13 pm
by appdaze
I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand I think its just more lowering of the academic bar. On the other hand, I took plenty of classes that had nothing to do with my career. While you can make the argument about a "well rounded" student and such, a degree is an economic investment, not free public school. Every extra class is extra cash.
Another way to look at it is thr impact on revenue and staff needs. It might be another Pandoras box situation. Time will tell.
https://thecollegeinvestor.com/77611/ne ... 5nlhN_vqpw
Re: 3 year bachelor's degree, growing trend
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2026 2:20 pm
by biggie
These days I'd say most out of HS are going into college with 30-40 hrs of credit. So it has been shortened that way. But yes there are a lot of classes that have nothing to do with your degree.
Re: 3 year bachelor's degree, growing trend
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2026 2:58 pm
by bcoach
With cost of an education today, this is a great idea.
Re: 3 year bachelor's degree, growing trend
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2026 4:41 pm
by Stonewall
No fun.
Re: 3 year bachelor's degree, growing trend
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2026 9:49 pm
by Cro-Magnon App
I took anthropology under Dr. Lysiak. Can’t remember a thing about it.
Re: 3 year bachelor's degree, growing trend
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2026 8:00 am
by Capt. Ed
It's a great idea for adults focused on a career path. Saves money and time.
Re: 3 year bachelor's degree, growing trend
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2026 8:24 am
by t4pizza
I have always felt that a large part of college is the personal growth during the 4-5 years (or more if you're lucky) of attendance. Sure, many classes have zero to do with career paths, but there is a lot to be said about exposing oneself to ideas outside their area of interest. I firmly believe that this is the best time in most people's lives, why rush through it to start the grind of life? That doesn't make sense to me from any point of view except financial. I don't get why anyone would be in a rush to join the work force and leave the college life behind.
Re: 3 year bachelor's degree, growing trend
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2026 8:40 am
by AtlAppMan
t4pizza wrote: ↑Fri Apr 03, 2026 8:24 am
I have always felt that a large part of college is the personal growth during the 4-5 years (or more if you're lucky) of attendance. Sure, many classes have zero to do with career paths, but there is a lot to be said about exposing oneself to ideas outside their area of interest. I firmly believe that this is the best time in most people's lives, why rush through it to start the grind of life? That doesn't make sense to me from any point of view except financial. I don't get why anyone would be in a rush to join the work force and leave the college life behind.
I think you nailed it precisely. The traditional logic behind the general college course curriculum, in theory, is it makes the student more well-rounded than what a technical college provides.
Re: 3 year bachelor's degree, growing trend
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2026 8:44 am
by MrCraig
We've strayed so far from the purpose of an education. There's so much money tied up in it. As an educator, it kinda sucks.
Re: 3 year bachelor's degree, growing trend
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2026 9:30 am
by biggie
AtlAppMan wrote: ↑Fri Apr 03, 2026 8:40 am
t4pizza wrote: ↑Fri Apr 03, 2026 8:24 am
I have always felt that a large part of college is the personal growth during the 4-5 years (or more if you're lucky) of attendance. Sure, many classes have zero to do with career paths, but there is a lot to be said about exposing oneself to ideas outside their area of interest. I firmly believe that this is the best time in most people's lives, why rush through it to start the grind of life? That doesn't make sense to me from any point of view except financial. I don't get why anyone would be in a rush to join the work force and leave the college life behind.
I think you nailed it precisely. The traditional logic behind the general college course curriculum, in theory, is it makes the student more well-rounded than what a technical college provides.
This could give an option to get out faster or to take more courses you are interested in for a minor or double major. So not horrible. Just seems the costs is way too high these days.
Re: 3 year bachelor's degree, growing trend
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2026 11:33 am
by Saint3333
The learn 90% of those life lessons the first three years and enjoy who you've become for a year before the pressures of the real world.
Re: 3 year bachelor's degree, growing trend
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2026 1:05 pm
by spacemonkey
T4Pizza nailed it. It is so much more than classes. It is the best network you build to start out with. If I had to find a job and it had to be in a different career path...the first people I would reach out to would be people I know from AppState. Of course my career has many networking opportunities built over the years, but your first "wide network" is built in college.