Gov. Greg Abbott’s initiative to push Texas public universities to offer some three-year bachelor’s degrees is worthwhile, but it should prompt deeper reflection about the value of a college education beyond workforce training.
The high cost of tuition is a legitimate reason students want to pursue a degree in less time and why some U.S. universities already offer accelerated programs. Abbott wants to focus the three-year degrees on fields with high workforce demand, which is another valid consideration. But economics shouldn’t be the only consideration.
The governor is doing the right thing by directing education officials to make the recommendations about how this idea should be put in practice. Last week, Abbott ordered the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to create a working group and look into three-year degrees, with recommendations due by the end of the year.
Abbott has cited cybersecurity, information technology and supply chain management as some of the high-demand areas he would like to see accelerated degrees.
The Associated Press reported last month that 26 states already have at least one college offering a three-year bachelor’s degree, evidence of their growing popularity.
But there is a tradeoff that cannot be neatly quantified in dollars and cents when schools shave a year off a college degree, and that is meaningful instruction in the humanities. Philosophy, history and literature — usually called core classes — are intrinsic to the development of well-rounded citizens. These classes stimulate curiosity about lives beyond one’s bubble, build critical thinking skills and influence how students perceive the world around them.
Yes, we need more professionals in high-demand STEM fields, but also we need professionals with a solid grasp on fundamental skills, the kind that a good liberal arts education can provide.
This idea is not new. In the 19th century, Cardinal John Henry Newman, a scholar of Catholic higher education, argued that literary and philosophical training equips students for many paths in life, in contrast to narrow professional or vocational programs. In the 21st century, this argument remains relevant.
The broader, more important question is: How can colleges offer a high-quality education at a price that most students can afford?
Abbott already has mandated undergraduate tuition freezes at public colleges and universities and voiced support for legislation that would offer financial discounts to undergraduate students taking summer courses. State officials should continue to encourage alternatives that reduce the high price tag of college.
Texas should explore three-year degrees with a limited scope. But our students shouldn’t settle for a watered-down education in pursuit of a more affordable college experience.