Three-Year Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree

Fast-track your future with Oregon’s first in-person, three-year bachelor’s degree.

At Pacific University, you can save time and money by getting your bachelor’s degree in three years instead of four. Our accelerated bachelor’s degrees are offered in person on the Forest Grove Campus, giving you the full college experience with opportunities to participate in all aspects of student life while focusing on your major.

  Choose one of our programs that can be completed in three years: chemistry, computer science, or sustainability and adaptation.

  Save time and money on tuition and housing.

  Dive deep into your major right from the start.

  Clearly structured curriculum pathways mean you always know what courses to take.

  Decide you want more time? You can easily move from a three-year degree to a four-year degree.

How We Fit A Bachelor’s Degree Into Three Years

Our three-year accelerated bachelor's degrees are fully accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. They are carefully designed to maintain academic rigor while being a highly efficient option for students who are motivated to get out into the workforce sooner. Each three-year degree — in either chemistry, computer science or sustainability and adaptation — has a specific 96-credit course sequence that focuses on required core courses and major coursework.

Four-Year or Three-Year Degree

Three-Year Degree: FAQs

• Who is the three-year accelerated bachelor's degree for?
  • The three-year degree is for students who want to focus on their major and core degree requirements without taking general education electives. It’s suitable for students who want to save time and money while getting their bachelor’s degree, but who still want the full in-person student experience. Because the three-year degree curriculum is so focused, you’ll need to be ready to begin work in your major right away.
• Will I have to take classes in the summer?
  • No. Our three-year degree is designed so that you will be able to take all of your courses during the standard academic year.
• Will I still be able to participate in clubs, sports, campus activities, internships and other activities?
  • Yes! Our three-year degree allows students to have the full college experience. All extracurricular activities will be available for you.
• Does a three-year degree really save money?
  • Yes. Taking three years rather than four allows you to save a year of tuition, fees, room and board — up to a 25% savings for the degree. In addition, by getting out in the job market a year earlier, you can begin earning a salary a year earlier than four-year degree graduates.  
• Will I be able to get a job with a three-year degree?
  • Our research indicates that employers are more interested in the skills and knowledge you obtain while in college, rather than the length of time you study. Even though the three-year degree is accelerated, it is still a bachelor’s degree with the same depth and breadth of core and major requirements.
• Will I be able to go to graduate school with a three-year degree?
  • It depends on the graduate program. While four-year degrees prepare students for admission to all U.S. graduate schools, three-year degree students may need to pursue extra coursework in order to meet the prerequisites for admission to some graduate programs. At Pacific, each student works closely with their academic advisor to ensure that their major is aligned with their purpose and goals for the future. Pacific University graduate programs will accept Pacific’s three-year bachelor’s degrees as long as prerequisite course requirements are met. 
• When should students declare the three-year degree?
  • Students are required to declare the three-year degree by the Spring Semester of their first year.
• Can a student complete a three-year degree and extend their time at Pacific (through a fourth year), and continue to receive financial aid for that fourth year?
  • In most cases, financial aid will be available for four years as long as students are continuing to take credits towards their declared major and minor.
• Will transfer credits be counted toward the required courses for three-year degrees?
  • Yes, students will still be able to transfer credits for major and core requirements, though you will not be able to transfer elective credits because the 96 credit structure for the three-year degree does not include electives. Also, even with transfer credits, some three-year degrees may still take the full three years for completion due to the frequency of class offerings.
• Is there still a residency requirement for the three-year degree?
  • Yes, Forest Grove undergraduate students pursuing a three-year degree are still required to live on campus and have a full meal plan for 4 full semesters, unless they qualify for an exemption.
• Can a student earn a minor with a three-year degree?
  • Yes, it is possible to earn a minor with a three-year degree, particularly if you are transferring in credits, though you will need to work closely with your academic advisor to strategize around requirements.
• What if I change my mind and decide I want to switch from a three-year degree to a four-year degree?
  • Students can easily shift from a three-year to a four-year degree. Because both options have the same core requirements, you will not lose credits if you switch to the four-year degree version of your major.
• Will I be able to study away if I pursue a three-year degree?
  • Yes. Short-term winter and summer study away courses are available to three-year degree students. It is possible for three-year degree students to study away for a full semester, with careful planning, though students wanting extensive study abroad will likely benefit from a four-year degree.