According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), individuals who have a bachelor's degree can nearly double their weekly salary, compared to those who do not have this education. Students who wish to go to college, but also need to save money or work while they attend school, could find that there are convenient ways to graduate quickly.
Some schools are expanding their efforts to provide this educational option for students. For instance, the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) announced a three-year bachelor's degree starting this year, according to The Boston Globe. James Staros, provost at UMass, told the newspaper that many families have been forced to "take on a bigger chunk of the burden" for their kids' tuition costs. He adds that the new program can save enrollees both time and money.
So far, the program is for freshman students who are majoring in music, sociology and economics. Advisers will also guide them through a three-year plan to complete a bachelor's degree in these fields, according to the newspaper. Individuals who would like a career in these industries could benefit from a faster program. It will allow them to get into the workforce quicker, and allow them to pursue multiple career paths.
For example, those who obtain a bachelor's in sociology could land a career as a writer for a newspaper, magazine or publishing company, according to the BLS. Meanwhile, a degree in economics may lead students into financial analysis, a field in which there are many career opportunities. These professionals can expect to see nearly 50,000 new positions created over the next eight years.
The courses for these degrees will be available through both campus-based and online classes. Individuals may find this program appealing if they need to work because they can maintain their current position while pursuing higher education. It allows students to create a flexible schedule without interrupting their daily routine.
Students at UMass who wish to study abroad or double-major in a subject may find graduating in three years with a bachelor's is difficult, especially if they would also like to obtain a master's. However, the school will also provide individuals with the option to obtain both degrees over a five [year] period, the news source reports.
Other schools continue to follow suit with this trend and create a flexible way for individuals to attend post-secondary institutions. For example, Baker College recently announced it will offer students the option to enroll in a five-year bachelor-to-master of science in information systems (MSIS) program, the Ionia Sentinel-Standard reports.
Students who participate in this program will choose between completing a bachelor's in either information technology and security or computer information systems. These individuals will then go on to pursue their MSIS.
According to the newspaper, these enrollees can choose between campus-based or online classes, or even combine these two options as undergraduates. The graduate program is offered only through online courses.
This program could benefit students who would like to start their career after completing a four-year program. Furthermore, working professionals may use these programs to keep their current job while enhancing their skills to pursue greater opportunities. Once individuals complete their MSIS, they could land a career as an information systems manager, as the BLS reports that employers in this field often prefer a graduate degree.
Professionals who are working as computer or information systems managers could find that this is a high-salaried industry with many opportunities. The number of positions for these individuals is expected to increase by 17 percent over the next decade, according to the BLS. They also have the potential to earn more than $90,000 per year.
