Accelerate Your Degree With the 3+1 Program

Explore how Grand Canyon University’s 3+1 Program can help you earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree faster through year-round classes and select accelerated tracks. Learn additional strategies — like earning college credit in high school — to shorten your path to graduation and launch your career sooner.

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Read time 2 minutes

Brenda Decker

Published on Oct 21, 2024

Did you know that you can fast-track your education at Grand Canyon University? Those with clear career goals and a strong desire to begin their professional journey might find the 3+1 Program beneficial. This is a demanding and accelerated track available only for select programs, where students typically attend classes year-round. It is designed to fast-track the path to a degree and potentially offer an opportunity to enter the workforce sooner, providing a potential head start in a chosen field.

Additionally, there are other ways to expedite the path to a degree. For example, earning college credit while still in high school through International Baccalaureate (IB), dual enrollment or Advanced Placement (AP) classes can be beneficial. Keep reading to explore more strategies and opportunities for accelerating a college degree timeframe and achieving goals more efficiently.

In this article:

What Is GCU’s 3+1 Program?
Summer Accelerator Track

What Is GCU’s 3+1 Program?

Our 3+1 Program offers an opportunity for individuals to accelerate their education by integrating undergraduate and graduate studies. By taking summer classes, you can complete your bachelor’s degree in three years followed by a master’s degree in just one more year, for select programs. This streamlined approach offers an efficient path to advanced education and can be a good choice for those looking to accelerate their academic and professional goals.

Save Time and Money

This opportunity can provide advantages, including time and cost savings. By accelerating the path to a bachelor’s degree in three years and a master’s degree in just one additional year, individuals can reduce tuition and food and housing expenses. This accelerated path can provide the chance to enter the workforce sooner, start earning earlier and work toward pursuing potential career prospects with an advanced degree.

Year-Round Courses: Your Path to an Accelerated Degree

Engage directly with knowledgeable faculty who lead each course, providing invaluable guidance and support. By taking courses year-round, participants have the opportunity to accelerate their studies and achieve their degrees ahead of schedule.

Summer Accelerator Track

Looking for other opportunities to fast-track your degree? GCU’s Summer Accelerator Track allows eligible and motivated individuals to earn their bachelor’s degree in as few as three years by adding summer courses and following the schedule provided. This track also offers the opportunity to potentially reduce the overall cost of education by minimizing summer living and tuition expenses associated with the traditional path.¹

Fast Track Your Education

Explore GCU's 3+1 program, and accelerated path that can help you complete your degree faster and jumpstart your next career move.

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Written By

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Brenda Decker

Senior Digital Content Specialist,

Grand Canyon Education

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Excludes level one through four pre-licensure nursing students in the clinical portion of their program.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.