3-year college degrees are exploding across the U.S. Here’s the catch
Headline from Fast Company, on the newest of 2 developments
Giles Sims, 34, was sick of getting passed over for jobs because he didn’t have a college degree. But with a wife and a widowed mother to help support, he needed a quick solution. So the laid-off web developer turned to one of a growing number of three-year degree programs.
Fast Company's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.
Developments in this update
2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.
3-year college degrees grow more popular in the US, saving time and cash. But critics aren’t sold
Headline from WTOP Washington DC ·
Newest
3-year college degrees are exploding across the U.S. Here’s the catch
Giles Sims, who is getting a 90-hour bachelor of applied science in communication from Ensign College poses for a portrait on campus in Salt Lake City, Utah Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in Salt Lake City.
Giles Sims, 34, was sick of getting passed over for jobs because he didn’t have a college degree. But with a wife and a widowed mother to help support, he needed a quick solution. So the laid-off web developer turned to one of a growing number of three-year degree programs. “I can’t afford to be […]
Critics worry that they’ll narrow too much what students learn, confuse employers, limit graduate school options, and create headaches in fields that require state licenses.
Advocates say these programs are a solution to the college affordability crisis and a godsend for non-traditional students. Critics, however, worry that they’ll narrow what students learn too much, confuse employers and create headaches in fields that require state licenses.
Giles Sims, 34, was sick of getting passed over for jobs because he didn’t have a college degree. But with a wife and a widowed mother to help support, he needed a quick solution. So the laid-off web developer turned to one of a growing number of three-year degree programs.
