Cal State may soon offer degrees that take just 3 years to finish. Work experience counts, too

California State University’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a policy allowing campuses to offer three new types of bachelor’s degrees designed for faster completion. The degrees—Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Professional Studies, and Bachelor of Applied Studies—target aspiring teachers, professionals seeking managerial roles, and those with vocational training, respectively. These programs require a minimum of 90 units, typically completed in three years, compared to the standard 120-unit four-year degree. Students can earn credit for prior work experience, accelerating their progress and reducing costs. The new degrees aim to address enrollment declines across the system, with ten campuses experiencing double-digit percentage drops between 2020 and 2025. Chancellor’s office officials noted the programs could attract working-age students and those in high-demand fields, such as Hollywood set workers. The policy also positions Cal State to compete with for-profit and online colleges offering quicker but pricier degree programs. Campuses may pair the new degrees with master’s programs to create accelerated pathways, though adoption is voluntary. A handful of universities in other states, including Cornell University and the University of Kansas, already offer similar programs. The University of California has also promoted three-year graduation tracks for select majors, such as economics and math at UC Santa Cruz. Nathan Evans, Cal State’s associate vice chancellor for academic affairs, emphasized the degrees would provide ‘immediate access to economic and social mobility.’ Transfer students from community colleges could earn a bachelor’s in one year instead of two, while adults with busy schedules could convert work experience into degree units. The policy sets a minimum of 90 units but allows flexibility for programs requiring up to four years to complete.