LOCALIZE IT: Growing numbers of colleges offer three-year degrees. View your state

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:

Growing numbers of U.S. universities are trimming class requirements so students can complete their bachelor's degree in three years instead of the typical four.

Accreditors initially balked at such reduced-credit programs. Now more than half of U.S. states have at least one such program. And more are in the pipeline.

Advocates say these programs are a solution to the college affordability crisis and a godsend to non-traditional students. Critics, however, worry that they’ll narrow what students learn too much, confuse employers, limit graduate school options and create headaches in fields that require state licensure.

This guide includes reporting threads, data sources and tips on finding sources.

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READ AP’S STORY

3-year college degrees grow more popular in the US, saving time and cash. But critics aren’t sold

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STATE-BY-STATE BREAKDOWN

Here’s a state by state breakdown of colleges offering reduced credit programs. It includes colleges that announced three-year programs through May, although more have been added in the months that followed. Many schools are offering just a handful of programs in the abbreviated format, the nonprofit research group RAND found. It studied programs nationally to help Ohio officials as the state examines their feasibility.

Arizona: Northern Arizona University; Yavapai College, a public community college; and the University of Phoenix.

Arkansas: Williams Baptist University.

California: Loma Linda University and San Francisco Bay University.

Colorado: University of Denver and Colorado Technical University.

Hawaii: Hawaiʻi Pacific University.

Idaho: Brigham Young University-Idaho and Northwest Nazarene University.

Illinois: Moody Bible Institute and The Chicago School.

Indiana: Indiana Wesleyan University and Manchester University.

Iowa: Drake University and Upper Iowa University.

Kansas: Cleveland University-Kansas City in Overland Park, Kansas.

Louisiana: Louisiana State University of Alexandria.

Maine: Unity Environmental University, University of Maine at Augusta, University of Maine at Fort Kent, University of Maine at Machias and University of Maine at Presque Isle.

Michigan: College for Creative Studies, Davenport University, Kettering University and Northwood University.

Minnesota: Concordia University, St. Paul and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Missouri: Park University and Southeast Missouri State University.

Nebraska: Bellevue University.

New Hampshire: Plymouth State University, Rivier University and Southern New Hampshire University.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma Baptist University.

Oregon: George Fox University.

Rhode Island: Johnson & Wales University and New England Institute of Technology.

South Dakota: National American University.

Texas: University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

Utah: Ensign College, Utah Valley University and Weber State University.

Virginia: University of Lynchburg.

West Virginia: American Public University System.

Wisconsin: Mount Mary University.

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SOURCES FOR DATA AND INTERVIEWS

Reduced-Credit Bachelor’s Degrees in Ohio: The nonprofit research group RAND.

The College-in-3 Exchange , a network of schools looking for ways to help students get degrees faster.

Strada Education Foundation , a nonprofit whose focus is strengthening the connection between postsecondary education and career opportunities.

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CONSIDER THESE REPORTING THREADS

— Do any universities in your state offer reduced-credit programs? How many? Which degrees? What kinds of results are they seeing? Is enrollment up? Is student retention up? Are they targeting non-traditional students? What type of university are they? Public? Community college? Private? Are the programs online, in-person or a mix of both? How were programs redesigned to reduce credits?

— What are state officials saying? Are they formally studying three-year programs? Are they encouraging schools to start them? Are they taking no action? Has legislation been introduced? What happened? Do they require the programs to go by a specific name? Are they examining state statutes surrounding professional licensing? Do any licenses require the completion of 120 college credits, the typical credit amount for a standard bachelor's degree?

— What are students saying about the programs? Are they 18 years old or are they working adults with children at home? What made them choose the three-year program? Was the reduced cost the main motivator or the reduced time it would take to finish their degree? Are they concerned about graduate school? Are they in a program that requires state licensure? What happens if they move to another state with different requirements?

— Who accredits public universities in your state? What is that accrediting agency's stance on three-year degrees? How many have they approved? Do they require the programs to go by a specific name? Do they limit the number of programs that universities can add?

— What are employers saying? Do the programs address workforce shortage issues? Are are they worried that the number of required credits has been reduced? Have state Chambers of Commerce taken positions?

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