WATERVILLE — A new threeyear pilot program to be launched this fall at Thomas College will allow students to earn an undergraduate business degree in three years instead of the traditional four. The program is made possible through a $135,731 grant awarded to the college by the Davis Educational Foundation. The grant is being matched dollar-for-dollar by the Harold Alfond Foundation to provide scholarship funding.

The three-year business degree is geared toward high-achieving students who are ready to accept the challenge of this rigorous course of study, and who want to enter the work force with their bachelor’s degree after three years, or earn a master of business administration in their fourth year through the Thomas College Accelerated MBA program. Thomas College is the first college in Maine to offer this combined, compressed option.

Thomas College Provost Thomas Edwards, the architect of the program, said the three-year program reinforces the school’s dedication to providing a highvalue, affordable college education to all.

He said, “Access, affordability, and career preparation are the keys to success in higher education today. With the support of the Davis Educational Foundation, this program provides all three. When you combine a high-quality accelerated program with our Guaranteed Job Program, you have a winning formula for students and their families.”

The Guaranteed Job Program guarantees that students who meet its requirements will earn a job within six months of their graduation. Historically, 94 percent of graduates are employed within 90 days after graduation.

Students enrolled in the program will complete six traditional courses each fall and spring semester, and a total of four online compressed courses taken during the summer, to fulfill the 120 credit degree requirement. These compressed courses include business communications, humanities, and two additional business-related electives designed specifically for students participating in this program.