Increasing educational opportunities may take students out of the classroom, as well as prompting students to finish undergraduate and graduate studies earlier.

“The majority [of students] still go through the traditional eight semesters but are [also] getting internship experience during that time period,” Jeff Sackaroff, director of undergraduate career services for the College of Management, said.

Four year graduations increase

According to the most recent statistics compiled for freshmen entering in 2000, 37 percent graduated in four years, compared to 26 percent in 1995. The same statistics show graduations within five years stabilizing around 30 percent.

“Overall graduation rates are contracting — people are trying to get out sooner,” Ruth Craven, a research associate with University Planning and Analysis, said. She added that soon-to-be-released statistics, “will keep to that trend.”

Carol Schroeder, director of the University Career Center, said there are many reasons students take more than four years to graduate. “Finances is usually a big one [reason] as students can’t afford to work and go to school full-time,” she said.

In addition, she explained that students changing majors may take additional classes. “Sometimes,” Schroeder said, “students have to get their GPA up to do an internal transfer.”

Other reasons include a myriad of opportunities to do cooperative education, internships and have international experiences through outlets like the Study Abroad program.

Doing More in Less Time

“The need for international experience is growing, and students are recognizing that,” said Sackaroff. “Programs that allow students to gain international experience are receiving increased emphasis in the draft of the school’s new strategic plan, reflecting a University priority.

“We have seen more people graduating in a shorter period of time in the College of Management,” Kay Leagar, director of enrollment management for the College of Engineering, said.

Although educational opportunities, such as Study Abroad or cooperative education, do not always fit neatly into an eight semester program, they do not appear to be lengthening graduation times.

“Even study abroad programs are not necessarily increasing the time students are spending in school — students are finding ways to compensate,” Leagar said.