Our readers' thoughts on three-year bachelor's degrees
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Earlier this week we asked for your thoughts on Ohio education leaders exploring the possibility of three-year bachelor's degrees.
The intrigue: Your replies suggest the conversation needs more nuance.
What you're saying:
🤔 Many of you said the proposal should have a new, different name.
- "Let's just not call a 90-credit program the same thing as a 120-credit program — because it's not — and let the market decide if that's what is best. In some cases, it might be," Tom F. said.
- Scott S. asked, "Isn't this just a modern repackaging of the two-year associate degree, except now you pay for three?"
🤔 Van. Y. suggested using the fourth year to expand job-related experiences, similar to student teaching.
- "I think industry would support that, and it would help offset the cost of that last year."
🎓 Cynthia B. noted a three-year bachelor's degree can be done now.
- "Back in the 1970s I completed a four-year degree in three years ... I gave up on some 'fun' time but I saved quite a bit of money."
💸 Amber S. supports the effort because current costs are "unsustainable."
- "It will continue to be harder and harder for first-generation students like me to afford a college education."
- "Speedier degrees won't solve ALL the problems, but it's a start."
👎 Juliet K. said reducing electives is a "disservice" because they encourage problem-solving and exploration.
- "I wouldn't have ended up in my degree path if I didn't take an elective in micro economics. I thought it would be the most boring thing in the world and it ended up being my favorite subject!"
🧠 Many of you agreed that electives help make graduates well-rounded.
- "A three-year degree leaves no time to explore careers or look around while finding your adult identity. A lot would be lost," Alan R. says.
💭 Alissa's thought bubble: As a 35-year-old still paying off my student loans, any cost-reduction effort sounds great. I even graduated a semester early, thanks to high school College Credit Plus courses.
- 🤦♀️ Yes, but: I could have graduated in three years — but 20-year-old me thought I'd miss the "college experience" and didn't do it.
- That mindset may make this concept hard to sell to teens and 20-somethings, no matter how practical it may be.