George Mason explores three-year degree pathways to expand access and affordability

George Mason University, in coordination with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV), is pursuing the development of three-year degree programs that will make college education accessible to more students, save them time and money, and provide more opportunities for workforce engagement.

The university's Provost's Office will soon release a resource kit that can help guide deans, faculty, and staff as they determine which academic programs in their schools and colleges could best align with a three-year degree format, along with other potential curricula changes. Additional research is being gathered to better understand employer perspectives on shorter degree pathways, as employability remains an important consideration for students, faculty, and families.

Most undergraduate degrees require 120 credit hours. A three-year abridged degree would likely require 90. Accelerated degrees must weigh standards, appropriate programs, program design, student demand, learning outcomes, workforce needs, and accreditation requirements with both SCHEV and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

More than half of states nationwide now offer at least one three-year degree option, although many are offered through private institutions with online programs. Virginia and Ohio higher education officials are working together to better understand how more scalable models for three-year degrees might be developed.

In Ohio, legislative action has accelerated this work at the state level. The work of this community of practice speaks to SCHEV's interest in exploring these models in Virginia and carefully thinking through the approval processes that need to be considered for this type of degree.

For now, based on some guidance from the university accreditor SACSCOC, George Mason is currently referring to these programs as "abridged degrees"-degree pathways shortened through either reduced time to completion or fewer required credits.

"We know that George Mason can lead in this space because we've always been nimble and able to adapt to evolving student needs," said Janette Muir, vice provost of academic affairs. "We are not so entrenched in the way it's always been that we generally can come to the table and work toward more flexibility. We don't want to be the ones that are just jumping in line. We want to be leaders in helping move the line forward."

The university also will consider additional bachelor's-to-accelerated master's degrees and accelerated bachelor's-to-doctorate possibilities. "Essentially," notes Muir, "this is an opportunity to take a careful look at our educational offerings and consider how well our programs are responding to the changing dynamics of higher education, particularly given the rapid growth and impact of AI."

Muir serves on the state community of practice as part of its "Scaling College in 3" initiative. Also serving on the team representing George Mason are Susan Woodruff, university director of accreditation and state authorization; Keith Renshaw, senior associate provost for undergraduate education; and Doug McKenna, university registrar.

The university's efforts tie in with the commonwealth's strategic objectives for higher education, "Developing Tomorrow's Talent: The Virginia Plan for Higher Education," by better aligning degree programs with student and employer needs and increasing affordability.

"With new approaches to postsecondary education, where appropriate, we hope to develop pathways that are rigorous, relevant, and responsive to today's students and the workforce," SCHEV Executive Director Scott Fleming said.

In spring 2026, George Mason President Gregory Washington charged his leadership team with determining what three-year degrees the university would be able to offer. Muir formed a small "tiger team" to start the inquiry, with representatives from Undergraduate Education, Graduate Education, Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, Accreditation, and State Authorization.

"Because we are very much focused on learning outcomes at George Mason, that is one of the areas the president is suggesting that we try to better understand," Muir said. "Can those outcomes be managed in less time, perhaps more integrated into majors and college-level requirements, or developed as part of workforce learning?"

The Wall Street Journal ranks George Mason tops in Virginia for value, salary outcomes, and upward mobility. In a survey of the Class of 2025 George Mason graduates, 92% reported positive career outcomes within six months of graduating, and a median salary of $73,000. About 85% of George Mason graduates work in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. (with 73% in Virginia).

George Mason is working with Hanover Research, which is examining national three-year degree program trends and collecting feedback from employers and students about how they view accelerated programs.

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