Ensign College has redesigned all of its Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees so students can graduate in just three years instead of four. This makes Ensign College the first institution in the nation to offer the three-year degree format for all bachelor's programs.
The updated degrees require only 90 to 96 credits and are fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Students can finish faster without taking heavier course loads or adding summer classes. The goal is simple: help students enter the workforce earlier and start earning sooner.
Why three-year bachelor's degrees matter right now
For many families, the value of a college degree is under closer review than ever. Cost, time to graduation, and career outcomes are top concerns.
Research shows that students and parents increasingly see three-year bachelor’s degrees as just as valuable —or even more valuable—than traditional four-year programs. A shorter path to graduation can mean less debt and a faster return on investment.
Designed for careers, not crammed schedules
Unlike “finish-in-three” programs that simply pack more classes into each term, Ensign College took a different approach.
Faculty and industry partners collaborated with our curriculum developers to intentionally redesign every BAS degree from the ground up. Instead of squeezing a 120-credit program into three years, they focused on the most important skills and outcomes graduates need for their first job.
“We evaluated every credit with one goal in mind,” said Ensign College President Bruce C. Kusch: “prepare students to contribute meaningfully so they can begin building their career and life sooner.”
Graduating sooner changes the financial equation
Finishing a bachelor’s degree a year earlier can make a big difference financially. Students avoid an extra year of tuition, fees, books, housing, and other costs. At the same time, they gain an additional year of full-time earnings.
This shift significantly improves the overall return on investment of a college degree.
Designed for how employers hire today
Many employers now focus more on skills than on schooling. According to national hiring data, nearly two-thirds of employers use skills-based hiring for entry-level jobs.
Skills like communication, problem solving, teamwork, critical thinking, and digital literacy are especially important—and often difficult for automation or AI to replace .
Ensign College builds these skills directly into its programs through applied, outcome-based learning.
“Hiring is increasingly skills-first,” said Mike Ray, Director of Career and Internship Services . “Our three-year bachelor’s degrees are designed so students graduate with validated skills and real-world readiness that employers value.”
Employer partners agree that graduates who can apply their skills with professionalism and good judgment are ready to contribute from day one.
Accredited and academically rigorous
Ensign’s three-year BAS degrees meet full bachelor’s-level learning standards and, where appropriate, support consideration for graduate study.
The programs are fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) and are offered across three degree pathways and ten areas of study.
| Bachelor's Degree | Areas of Study |
| Business Management |
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| Communication |
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| Information Technology |
|