Three-year degree programs attract attention

Attention and interest in three-year college degree programs continues, and a new study from John Hopkins University and the Progressive Policy Institute makes the case that these programs will improve students' access to college and save their families money.

In August, Purdue's Brian Lamb School of Communication announced its creation of a new three-year degree, Think 3 Years!, that will follow an accelerated plan of study requiring the same number of total credit hours, 120, as the four-year plan for either general communication, public relations and strategic communication, mass communication, corporate communication, and human relations. The four-year program is still available.

Later this semester, first-year students will meet with their advisers, says Marifran Mattson, professor and head of the Brian Lamb School of Communication, to discuss their plans of study. First-year students are not required to commit to the three-year program until the end of their second semester.

"If both the Lamb school and the students are dedicated to three years it is doable, but we both need to make that commitment," Mattson says. "The interest and questions about the program, especially from parents, are positive."

The estimated cost savings over the traditional four-year program is $9,290 for Indiana residents, $18,692 for nonresidents and $20,252 for international students. 

The Brian Lamb School of Communication received a $500,000 prize in August for the creation of the program as part of a university-wide challenge that President Mitch Daniels issued in an open letter in January. To help Purdue lead the innovation and transformation of higher education nationwide, Daniels offered $500,000 each to the Purdue department or program that created the first three-year degree and the first competency-based degree.

More information about the program is available online.

Related news release: Purdue president announces prize for three-year communication degree