Three-Year Option
Wesleyan’s three-year option offers students a path to graduation on a compressed schedule, enabling them to save on the total cost of their education and begin their professional career or post-graduate studies a year earlier. Students are advised to consider this option carefully and consult with their Class Dean about its feasibility given the requirements of their particular major and their larger career goals.
Navigating the Three-Year Option
Students with the ambition to complete their undergraduate degree in three years (six semesters plus summer courses) may save about 20 percent of the total cost of a Wesleyan education. Students considering this option will navigate the challenge of earning 32 credits and completing the specific course requirements of their major in a highly compressed timeframe. During their first year, students should consult with their Class Dean to review policies and procedures and help develop a feasible plan.
Accelerating Semester Standing
For most students seeking to graduate in three years, the greatest challenge lies in figuring out a way to earn 32.00 credits and complete the course requirements for their major in six semesters instead of eight. It is crucial that students understand the various ways to earn additional credit and accelerate the pace of their semester standing. Most students use a combination of pre-matriculant credit, summer credit, and in-semester course overload.
Students pursuing the three-year option should strive to accelerate their semester standing by the end of their first year, so that they can declare their major a semester early and begin enrolling in the required courses for that major. This can typically be achieved through a combination of pre-matriculant and Summer Session credits.
Some ways to earn additional credit:
Pre-matriculant credits: A maximum of 2.00 pre-matriculant credits (such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or college credits earned during high school) may be applied toward an accelerated program.
Summer and Winter Session credits: Students may earn credits during the intensive class sessions that take place in January, June, or July.
Transfer credits from another college or university: Students may transfer up to 2.00 credits from another college or university. Permission to transfer credit must first be granted by the appropriate Wesleyan department. Only the credit—and not the grade—will be transferred to the Wesleyan academic record.
In-semester course overload: A student may enroll in more than 4.00 credits during the semester in close consultation with their faculty advisor. Depending on the nature and intensity of the student’s schedule, the course overload option should be exercised with care.
Academic Support
Wesleyan offers a variety of programs designed to enhance your intellectual growth and provide academic support. We understand that personal development goes hand in hand with academic enrichment, which is why we are committed to making top-notch services available to all students within the three-year program.
