There has been some discussion in social media about colleges that allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree in three years. To avoid confusion, let me set the record straight. Virtually every college in America, and absolutely every top college in America, requires students to earn 120 credits (or the equivalent) to graduate. Traditionally, students have earned these credits by taking 15 credits worth of classes each semester, usually five 3-credit courses per semester for eight semesters—two semesters per year for four years. Thus, 5 × 3 × 2 × 4 = 120. However, most colleges allow students to earn credit in less traditional ways. For example, many colleges give graduation credit for high AP scores on specific AP tests. Others give credit for results on proficiency tests, dual enrollment classes, summer classes, etc.
Some lesser-known colleges and online-degree-providing colleges provide alternative pathways to early graduation such as requiring fewer credits or granting credit for work experience and other factors. For many of these colleges, the motivation is simply monetary. They would rather have a student paying for three years than for none. For these colleges, the three-year degree is just a sales and marketing pitch. Casting these colleges aside, it is possible to earn a bachelor’s degree from a reputable college in three years. However, to do so the student must earn the same number of credits, 120, in three years instead of four. It is not impossible or uncommon, but it can be rather difficult. In some cases, students can earn credit while still in high school, can take classes during the summer, or can take classes that give are worth more than three credits. Earning credit in advance of freshman year is typically referred to as Advanced Standing or Advanced Credit. Each college has its own rules pertaining to earning credit prior to enrollment as a freshman.
Here are the four most common ways that students earn credit to accelerate the timetable for receiving their bachelor’s degree.
1. Taking APs (or IB) Tests in High School
Most colleges have a policy of granting credit for AP and IB exams results. For top colleges, the score needed on APs for graduation credit is at least a 4 and, in some cases, a 5. Policies change on a regular basis and are often decided on a department-by-department basis. Keep in mind that colleges give credit only for test results, not for taking the class. Indeed, many students take the AP or IB exams without sitting through the entire class, often by self-studying this subject matter.
Examples of AP Credit Policies at Top Colleges:
MIT: Note: MIT uses Units rather than Credits. Four MIT Units = 1 College Credit
MIT Examples
AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Comp Sci, AP Env Sci, AP Stats: 0 units
AP Calc BC: Score of 5 = 12 units
AP Physics: Score of 5 on BOTH C Exams = 12 units
All APs in Humanities, Arts and Soc Sci: Each score of 5 = 9 units toward electives
Harvard:
No graduation credit for AP or IB exams. Exemptions from taking some required classes may be given, but Harvard requires 120 graduation credits to be earned through Harvard classes.
Dartmouth:
No graduation credit for AP or IB exams. Exemptions from some required course may be given, but Dartmouth requires all 120 credits to be earned through Dartmouth classes.
Columbia:
Almost all AP scores of 5 earn credit, and many scores of 4 also earn credit.
Columbia Examples:
AP Bio: Score of 5 = 3 credits
AP Chem: Score of 4 or 5 = 3 or 6 credits
AP Euro and APUSH: Scores of 5 = 3 credits
AP Calc BC: Scores of 4 or 5 = 3 or 6 credits
2. Taking Summer Classes
Some summer classes offered through universities can be taken for graduation credit. Each college will have its own rules about which summer classes are eligible. It may be possible to earn close to 30 credits (the number earned in one full year of traditional classes) by taking two full classes each summer, including the summer before entering college. Of course, this is just a way of jamming four years’ worth of credits into three years. Summer classes for credit almost always involve paying significant tuition, although they are also financial-aid eligible.
3. Taking Classes that Offer Additional Credit
Some classes such as science classes with labs, international classes, and classes taken through consortiums may carry more than the traditional 3 credits. For example, through the Five-College Consortium (UMass Amherst, Hampshire College, Smith College, Mt. Holyoke College, and Amherst College) each class taken at any of the schools outside of the student’s home institution carries 4 credits.
4. Taking College Classes While in High School
Students at some high schools may be eligible to take Dual Enrollment classes. By taking these classes, students can earn credit for high school graduation and college graduation simultaneously. Typically, dual enrollment is available to students who have reached a high degree of proficiency which exceeds the high school’s ability to offer further instruction.
There are many other ways that students can earn college credit, such as serving in the military, taking MOOCs (on-line classes), engaging in independent study, taking advantage of workplace training programs where available, and taking qualifying tests to test out of certain basic college graduation requirements (which may or may not also offer graduation credit).
Policies for granting credit outside the normal curriculum change quite frequently from college to college and even within individual departments or majors. Search engines may not keep up with these changes, so make sure you check each college’s website individually to determine its policies for granting graduation credits outside of the traditional 40-classes-over-four-years plan.