The average student now attends college for over 6 years the cause is attributed to rising costs, unavailable classes and misplaced priorities by students.
Zemsky, a University of Pennsylvania professor, says schools should offer bachelor's degrees in 3 years instead of 4. The change would save time and shave costs.
"What we need is a sort of general reorganization and a pruning of the curriculum."
Zemsky says going to a 3-year program would cut the log jam, so to speak, and cut significant costs for often cash-strapped students.
"We could reduce the price to the student 25-percent overnight. That's a lot of money."
Arcadia University in Montgomery County will start offering a 3-year bachelor's degree this fall.
"This would allow students to complete in 3 years and have a jump start on moving to graduate or professional school," said university president Jerry Greiner.
But not every student is eligible. Because of the accelerated course work, admission requirements for Arcadia's 3-year program are strict and limited to so-called high achieving students. And, so much for summer vacation.
"Study abroad during the summer or do a service leaning project here in the United States or in another country," Greiner explained.
The more affordable 3-year option has many students and parents excited, but some experts say it isn't the right road.
"If our goal then is to provide a quality education to every student then I think just saving some money and compressing it all into a few years is extremely short sighted," said Debra Humphreys of the Association of American College and Universities.
The AACU says employers are requiring their employees to do more and more tasks, which means students need a broader education. It also says that reform needs to begin at the high school level.
"I think a lot of people don't realize that a majority of students who go to college today are actually not really academically for college level work."
Students we talked with have mixed feelings about a 3-year degree.
"The faster you get out the more experience on the job training is much better than classroom training," said Patrick Doran.
"High-schoolers really don't know what they want so I mean I think in the end it's just going to hurt them more," said Jacob Piechnick.
Arcadia University isn't the only college with a 3-year degree option, Holy Family University in Northeast Philadelphia and Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster both have options as well. And financial aid is still available for 3-year degree options.
For more information:
Colleges Consider 3-Year Degrees To Save Undergrads Time, Money
More colleges offering 3-year degrees
Some colleges offering 3-year bachelor's degrees
The Three-Year Solution
Arcadia University
Holy Family University
Franklin and Marshall College
Robert Zemsky, Ph.D., Making Reform Work
Association of American Colleges and Universities
