Every day, I see a higher-education landscape that is moving away from the notion that a four-year degree is the only path to career and economic success. With the average federal student loan debt in Tennessee at about $36,900, many young people are questioning the return on investment on a four-year degree.
A growing demand for faster pathways
Most recently, universities across the country have been weighing the possibility of offering bachelor's degrees that can be completed in three years and that more quickly fill the pipeline for workers in high-demand fields. Earlier this summer, theTennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) approved guidelines through which our state four-year universities can create an accelerated bachelor’s degree. These programs offer an alternative
to the long-held standard of four-year, 120-hour degree program structures. The United Kingdom, India, France, Australia and other countries already offer three-year bachelor's degrees. The University of Tennessee has already announced plans to develop a Focused Baccalaureate program.
We’re also seeing a trend of rising enrollment in nontraditional models like ours at Western Governors University, an accredited, nonprofit, online university. We’ve seen a 50.2% increase in enrollment here in Tennessee from 2022 to 2026 (4,130 students to 6,205).
These numbers reinforce what we have known for years: the traditional model is no longer working for many students.
The three-year degree offers one approach for students to earn a bachelor's degree in an accelerated timeframe. Another option is competency-based learning. Under this approach, students can accelerate through courses by showing that they have mastered the material through assessments and exams. In many cases, students in competency-based programs finish their degrees in even less than three years and at a much lower cost. At WGU, the average undergraduate student in Tennessee completes a degree in 25 months.
Learning based on mastery, not seat time
Both three-year degrees and competency-based learning have significant advantages for students. Competency-based models challenge the assumption that everyone needs the exact same amount of time to learn. Many nontraditional students are working adults who are balancing the demands of family and work while also earning a degree. Learners who are caretakers, parents or work full-time are unable to put their lives on hold while they pursue their dreams. With asynchronous, competency-based learning, they can complete their learning at their own pace, with a program mentor supporting them each step of the way.
Oftentimes our students are also pursuing degrees in fields where they already have training and experience. Just one example of this is our RN-to-BSN program, which allows experienced nurses to draw on skills they have learned in their jobs to advance through their coursework quickly. The intersection of experience and academic work helps students accelerate.
Students are looking for options to learn at a faster and more affordable pace. Now is the time for us to listen.
Kimberly K. Estep, Ph.D., is Southeast regional vice president for nonprofit online Western Governors University.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Students want affordable degrees faster. Colleges must adapt | Opinion
