Are you looking to make the most out of your college education? An accelerated degree, also called a 3+1 degree, is a way to ensure you get an excellent return on your educational investment.
A 3+1 degree allows you to earn your bachelor’s and master’s degree in four years. You graduate with a master’s-level education, and the confidence that comes with qualifying for a wider range of jobs.
What are the benefits of a 3+1 degree?
An accelerated education through a 3+1 degree offers numerous advantages:
Cost: A 3+1 pathway can reduce the overall cost of earning two degrees by allowing students to apply undergraduate coursework and tuition toward graduate study. According to a report from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, students most commonly cite cost as the main benefit of a 3+1 degree.
Time savings: A report from National Center for Education Statistics finds that students who pursue a separate graduate degree after four years of college incur additional costs, including tuition and living expenses, while also postponing entry into the labor market. Also, the American Council on Education supports avoiding redundant coursework and shortening pathways to credentials through transferring credit, which is a key component of a 3+1 program. An integrated curriculum lets students build on what they've already learned rather than starting over in graduate school.
Begin working and earning earlier: Earning a master's degree at workforce entry can provide an additional credential associated with stronger employment and earnings outcomes. In Education Pays data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics consistently finds that educational attainment is associated with differences in employment and earnings. In 2024, for example, workers age 25 and older with a master's degree had a higher median weekly earning rate and lower unemployment rate than workers whose highest credential was a bachelor's degree.