The basic format for college graduation, four years for a bachelor's degree and two for an associate's degree, has not changed in many decades, with the possible exception of degrees in specialized fields such as engineering, which in many places require five years of study.

But, according to a recent article in US News, some institutions of higher learning are revamping their approaches with regard to the time needed to obtain a bachelor's degree.

Baldwin-Wallace College, a private school located in Ohio, and New York City's St. John's University, a Roman Catholic institution, are among the schools that have started three-year bachelor's degree programs. According to the report, some schools adopting three-year programs have done so by having students enroll in more, shorter classes in the fall and spring semesters.

Tinkering with tradition in any established profession is sometimes frowned upon, but in this case, these schools have found a way to prepare students to face tomorrow and do it faster and cheaper. Not only do students save the cost of the fourth year, but also those who count on loans to go to school have less to pay back. Once they complete their degrees, students can either enter the workforce earlier or move on to graduate degrees.

Either way, they start contributing to their own upkeep sooner than they would through a traditional program.

Perhaps higher education officials burdened with making colleges more affordable, while still providing a quality education, should take their cues from programs such as these. In some instances, this approach might make sense.

Certainly, at a moment when the economy is forcing many to reconsider attending college and when many graduates find themselves leaving school with crippling debt, enabling students to get a running start on fiscal independence is a good thing.

Likewise, students who attend community colleges might also benefit from a faster track. Consolidating degree programs from two years to, say, 18 months would provide crucial savings in a tough and unforgiving economy.

It's time for the educational establishment to take a cue from business and learn how to make the best use of its resources. Future students could only benefit from their foresight.

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