George Washington University President: Three-Year Degrees Not Catching On

My first thought was that it meant a year less of drunken debauchery, but according to Stephen Trachtenberg, president emeritus of George Washington University, availability is more the reason the programs aren’t catching on.

Trachtenberg says not enough schools are implementing the programs. The VP of another college spoke to the Washington Post about the general disinterest in the accelerated programs, saying students often don’t have the motivation to complete the rapid-pace courses:

The recent proliferation of three-year degrees has heightened interest in accelerated study among college freshmen. But enthusiasm tends to peter out.

“A lot of students are interested in it,” said Dave McFadden, executive vice president of Manchester College. “A smaller number of students sign up for it, and an even smaller number finish it.”

The programs do offer a significant benefit in cost savings- aside from less time in college, students can also work sooner and begin paying off student loans. But there is a trade off in flexibility:

“If you try to do it in three years, your options are limited,” said Candace Evilsizor, 17, a rising freshman from Phoenix who plans to enroll in the three-year program at American University.

Evilsizor likes the idea of accelerated study. But, as a Global Scholar, she also wants to see the globe. In a three-year program, she might not have time.

“They say you can study abroad for a summer. But I want to study abroad for a full year. So I’m not sure how that will work out,” she said.

There’s one more benefit to accelerated study- students who go on to graduate programs can receive a master’s in five to six years. Do you think as the economy continues to falter, the idea will catch on more?