Johnson & Wales Launches 3-Year Bachelor's Programs For 4 Majors

PROVIDENCE, RI — Johnson & Wales University launched three-year degree programs for computer science, criminal justice, graphic design, and hospitality management majors.

School officials said Johnson & Wales University became the first higher education institution in the U.S. to offer this type of three-year, in-person bachelor's degree option. University officials said the programs were designed for students eager to enter the workforce quickly and with less financial burden. These new programs provide a rigorous and comprehensive education in three years instead of the traditional four years.

"At Johnson & Wales, we are committed to providing our students with educational opportunities that are accessible and transformative," Johnson & Wales University Chancellor Mim Runey said. "Offering three-year bachelor’s degree programs with just 90 credits allows more students to begin their career journeys sooner — and with a lower financial obligation. This is what parents and students have been asking of higher education, and I’m excited that Johnson & Wales University is the first in the nation to deliver upon that need."

In September, the New England Commission for Higher Education granted approval to Johnson & Wales University to offer the 90-to-96 credit, three-year degrees under the university’s current accreditation. For more than a century, the standard among accrediting bodies for higher education has been that bachelor’s degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours of study.

"This initiative reflects Johnson & Wales University’s ongoing efforts to adapt to the evolving landscape of higher education," Board of Trustees Chair John Taylor Jr. said. "By offering these new degree programs, we are not only addressing the needs of our students, but also contributing to the workforce development in key industries."

How Will it Work?

The new programs will require the same core general education foundation credits as the current four-year bachelor’s degree and the same major study classes. Unlike accelerated degrees where students graduate early by taking classes year-round and/or bring in credits from high school, students in the three-year degree programs will carry a regular semester load of classes during the academic year.

Students in the three-year bachelor’s programs will count workplace experiences gained during the academic year and summers toward degree requirements and will take fewer or no elective classes, instead focusing on their major course of study.

Students will have the option to complete all four degrees in person, and additionally, the hospitality management and computer science career programs can be completed online.

"These three-year bachelor’s degree programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive education that is both intensive and immersive," Associate Provost Jennifer Galipeau said. "The degrees chosen for the three-year bachelor’s degree program were selected because they are in industries with current high demand. By integrating experiential learning opportunities across all of our degree programs, we ensure that our graduates are not only academically prepared, but also equipped with the practical skills needed to excel in their careers."

School officials said the university will continue offering ffour-year bachelor’s degrees in more than 80 other majors, including all four of the programs offered as three-year degrees.

The new programs will begin accepting applications in Fall 2024, with the first class of students starting in the Fall 2025 semester.

More information can be found here.

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