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First-in-U.S. 3-year bachelor’s programs coming to New England college
Johnson & Wales University will launch the programs next fall.
Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island announced on Tuesday that it is launching three-year bachelor’s programs, becoming the first in the nation to do so.
Computer science, criminal justice, graphic design, and hospitality management are among the 90-to-96-credit programs launching next fall semester.
The school said the programs are designed for students interested in entering the workforce quickly and with less financial burden.
“At Johnson & Wales, we are committed to providing our students with educational opportunities that are accessible and transformative,” Johnson & Wales University Chancellor Mim Runey said in a statement. “This is what parents and students have been asking for higher education.”
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In September, the New England Commission for Higher Education approved the programs. Typically, accrediting bodies for higher education for bachelor’s degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours of study.
The new programs will require the same core general education foundation credits as the current four-year bachelor’s degrees and the same major study classes.
However, unlike accelerated degrees, where students graduate early by taking classes year-round or bringing in credits from high school, students in the three-year degree programs will have a regular semester load of courses during the academic year.
Students in the three-year bachelor’s programs will count workplace experiences gained during the academic year and summers toward degree requirements and take fewer or no elective classes.
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“These three-year bachelor’s degree programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive education that is both intensive and immersive,” said Jennifer Galipeau, a Johnson & Wales University associate provost, in a statement.
Galipeau said the degrees chosen for the three-year programs are in high demand.
“By integrating experiential learning opportunities across all of our degree programs, we ensure that our graduates are not only academically prepared but also equipped with the practical skills needed to excel in their careers,” she added.
Undergraduate tuition at Johnson & Wales is $41,782 per academic year, not including housing, meal plans, and other expenses. Tuition can cost students more than $167,000 over four years. Cutting a year out will save students about a quarter of the overall cost.
The university will continue to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees in more than 80 other majors, including the four programs offered as three-year degrees.
Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University is a private, nonprofit, accredited institution with over 8,000 graduate, undergraduate, and online students at its campuses in Providence, Rhode Island, and Charlotte, North Carolina.
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