为应对高等教育成本危机，美国高校正加速推出3年制学士学位项目。1截至今年春季，26个美国州至少有一所大学提供这类课程，公开宣布的减学分项目已达119个。1传统学位通常需完成120学分，而3年制项目则仅需90学分。1这一趋势始于2022年College-in-3 Exchange项目的推出，该项目旨在探索加快学生获得学位的途径。12023年，西北学院和大学委员会成为首个批准减学分项目的认证机构。1
支持者认为该项目有助于缓解学生的经济负担。1美国公立学校州内学生的平均学费和费用为11,950美元，而私立非营利学校则高达45,000美元。1减少一年的学习时间可显著降低总体成本。然而，批评声音同样强烈。美国大学教授协会主席Todd Wolfson表示："这不是创新，只是在偷工减料。"1批评者担忧这会削弱学位的含义，困扰雇主的认可度，并限制学生的研究生申请选择。1
从项目分布来看，四分之三的减学分项目由私立非营利学校提供，通常采用在线形式。1商科学位最为常见，其次是计算机和信息科学，而教师教育领域仅有6个减学分学位项目。1
American universities are increasingly adopting three-year bachelor's degree programs as a cost-saving alternative to traditional four-year curricula. As of spring 2024, institutions in at least 26 states have introduced such abbreviated degree options, with 119 condensed programs announced publicly 1. These accelerated degrees typically require students to complete 90 credit hours compared to the standard 120 credits, allowing them to enter the workforce or graduate school sooner while potentially reducing tuition expenses 1.
The push toward faster degree completion gained momentum following the launch of the College-in-3 Exchange initiative in 2022, which sought to identify ways to expedite student degree attainment 1. A significant milestone came in 2023 when the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities became the first accrediting body to approve condensed degree programs 1. The condensed offerings are concentrated in the private nonprofit sector, with roughly three-quarters of programs operating in an online format 1. Business degrees are the most common, followed by computer and information science programs, while teacher education has lagged with just six abbreviated degree options 1.
Proponents argue that three-year degrees address the mounting higher education affordability crisis, particularly given that average tuition and fees at public universities reach $11,950 for in-state students and $45,000 at private nonprofit institutions 1. However, critics remain unconvinced. Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors, dismissed the concept, stating: "This is not innovation. This is just cutting corners" 1. Opponents worry that abbreviated degrees may diminish the value of diplomas, confuse employers evaluating credentials, and limit opportunities for graduate school applications 1.
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