Degree in Three: The High School Connection

• What is Degree in Three?



• Who should pursue a Degree in Three?



• It sounds interesting. How do I apply?



• Planning your high school program.



• I have some questions. Help!

What is Degree in Three?

Degree in Three is a special advising program that assists FSU students who wish to graduate with their baccalaureate degree in three years. Though an accelerated degree is not possible nor appropriate for all students in all majors, Degree in Three will help students explore whether such a program is right for them. Most students who choose this option will have some college credits before entering FSU, but there are some majors that students without previous credit can complete in three years by electing heavy academic schedules and attending summer school.

Who should pursue a Degree in Three?

An accelerated degree is most appropriate for the student who has clearly established academic and career goals and whose previous academic and life experiences indicate that the goals are appropriate. In addition, the student should explore whether an accelerated degree, even if possible, is a good idea in his/her area of interest. For instance, if medical school is in your future, will accelerating your degree compromise your ability to do well enough in the required courses to be competitive for admission? Students who are undecided about a major cannot participate in Degree in Three because they will not know which courses to complete and SHOULD take the time to explore the many exciting opportunities available.

It sounds interesting. How do I apply?

At the time you are applying for admission to FSU (early in your senior year of high school) you will have an opportunity to indicate your interest in getting a Degree in Three. During your first term, you will have an opportunity to meet with an advisor in your major to determine if a Degree in Three will work. If so, you and your advisor will prepare a three-year Program of Study that outlines the courses that must be completed and when.

Planning your high school program.

FSU commends you for thinking ahead. Education is an ongoing process with each level preparing you for the next. With that in mind, your main goal in high school should be to build the strongest foundation possible for your future education.

College students often tell us they were not ready for the demands of higher education. They tell us that high school was easy and that they rarely had to study. As a result, they did not develop good study skills and may not have learned some of the other skills and qualities characteristic of a successful college student, qualities like motivation, discipline, and time management. Some felt "lucky" to get the easy teachers but later wished they had taken the teachers who demanded high quality work. Some students "coasted" their senior year by taking easier courses.

Use high school to prepare for the challenges of college.
At FSU we encourage you to use your high school years to your best academic advantage. If you know the academic areas that interest you, take courses that will give you the best preparation for those areas. Don’t shirk your math courses; these will give you the most options for majors in college, even if you are interested in English or Elementary Education. If you can, find those teachers who expect you to actually think and demand high quality work. Learn self-discipline, effective study skills and time management. These will serve you well in college.

Choose high school courses in all areas.
Your high school curricular choices should reflect a balance. Even if you know you want to enter the arts or humanities--and truly hate math and science--choose challenging courses in all areas. Even Dance majors at FSU need to complete two college courses in math and two in science (one with a lab). When selecting courses for which you may receive college credits, also remember to try to keep a balance. You do not want to take all the courses you enjoy while in high school and "save" the ones you are less interested in for college.

Earning college credit while in high school.
Today, high school students have many opportunities to earn college credit while in high school. These include: Advanced Placement (AP) courses, the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, dual-enrollment courses through a local college, and the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). In choosing which of these programs to participate in and the options within each to select, you should consider your long- term goals—what you want to study in college, what career fields you are considering. Keeping those in mind should help you make good decisions regarding which programs and courses may best move you toward your goals. For example, if you are interested in math, science, or engineering, choose the IB Mathematics or Mathematics-Advanced rather than Mathematics Methods or Studies. The first two can earn appropriate math credit for your areas of interest, while Methods is appropriate for business majors, and Studies is appropriate for majors that do not require specific college-level mathematics.

Summary:
To best prepare yourself for an accelerated college degree, while in high school you should:

1. Learn effective study skills, discipline and time management. Find and appreciate those teachers who expect and demand the most from you; they are your best allies in preparing for college.

2. Take a challenging and balanced academic schedule. Consider taking more than the minimum in areas like mathematics, foreign language, and science.

3. If you have an opportunity to earn college-level credit while in high school, choose options that will move you toward your eventual academic and career goals and remember to select options in all areas. Again, look for balance.

I have some questions.

• Is Degree in Three right for me?
• Frequently asked questions and answers
• IB and AP credit and FSU course equivalencies
• Majors available at FSU


• Ask an advisor. Contact an FSU advisor and ask your own questions.

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