Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ

Three-Year (90 credit) Applied Bachelor’s Degrees

Save time and tuition and enter the workforce one year early with a three-year applied bachelor’s degree.

Approved by the New England Commission of Higher Education and the New Hampshire Higher Education Commission, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s 90-credit applied bachelor’s degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Business Management, and Criminal Justice enable you to complete your degree in three years of full-time undergraduate study.

You’ll take the same core and major classes as students in a traditional four-year degree and will have access to the same resources and services that make your university experience unique. As a three-year student, you can have it all—live on campus, participate in athletics, join clubs, and more. All while completing a career focused degree to get you ready to launch the career you’ve dreamed of.

Save one full year of tuition, room, board, and related expenses

You will carry a standard semester load of classes during the academic year (fall and spring semesters) for a total of 90 credits over three years. With annual tuition set at the same amount as the traditional four-year degree, you will save the cost of an entire year of tuition, room, board, and related expenses.

Enter the workforce faster

Our workforce-focused model combines experiential learning and problem-solving opportunities. With a professional core and internships at leading regional employers, you’ll fast-track your career and gain the skills, experience, and network to succeed in a competitive job market.

Earn your master’s with only one additional year of study (3+1)

In addition to your applied bachelor’s degree, you can earn a Master’s at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ with just one year of additional study. The 3+1 programs offer a cost-effective path to both undergraduate and graduate credentials in four years, positioning you for early career advancement and long-term professional success.

Three-Year Applied Degree Programs

Applied Bachelor’s in Artificial Intelligence

Focus on real-world applications of AI in business, healthcare, and technology sectors with this innovative major.

Applied Bachelor’s in Business Management

Launch your career with this streamlined business degree emphasizing leadership, entrepreneurship, and operational strategy.

Applied Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice

Get ready for a career in law enforcement, corrections, and community advocacy.

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ also offers four-year (120 credit) bachelor’s degrees in more than 20 majors, including each of the programs offered as three-year applied degrees. Students enrolled in a three-year applied bachelor’s degree program may switch to the four-year bachelor’s degree program.

Three-Year Applied B.S. Traditional Four-Year B.S.
Time to Graduation 3 years (6 semesters) 4 years (8 semesters)
Tuition 3 years of tuition 4 years of tuition
Financial Aid Yes Yes
Courses General education and professional core, major requirements General education and professional core, major requirements
Study Abroad Summer options available Summer options available
Double major or minor No Yes
Global Scholars Honors Program No Yes
Employment Promise Program Yes Yes
Internships Required Required
Athletics 3 years of eligibility or 4 if enrolled in a 3+1 program 4 years of eligibility
Campus Life Full access to all aspects of campus life
Support Services Full access to all academic and student support services
Career and Life Success Full access to career and life success resources

“A three-year applied degree at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ is an ideal choice for a career-focused student who knows what they want to study and has an early career pathway they want to pursue. Upon graduation, students will be equipped with the skills and confidence needed to enter the workforce with momentum.â€

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is an applied bachelor's degree?

    It is a 90-credit bachelor’s program that delivers the same disciplinary knowledge as a traditional 120-credit degree. However, instead of exploration through broad electives, the 90-credit program is delivered in a streamlined format helping you graduate faster, save money, and enter the workforce sooner.

  • How do I know if a three-year applied degree is right for me?

    A three-year applied bachelor’s degree may be right for you if you have a strong interest in a specific career path. With the applied degree, you will focus on the major and core requirements and will have a required internship to get you ready to launch your career.

  • Are the three-year programs accelerated degree programs?

    Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s three-year applied bachelor of science programs are not an accelerated version of a traditional four-year program. Students will take a standard course load in the fall and spring semesters, finishing in six semesters instead of eight for a total of 90 credits instead of 120 credits. The three-year degrees include the essential major and core courses you need to be successful in your field. With no classes during the summer, you will have time to focus on part-time jobs, summer internships, or vacation plans.

  • What are the advantages of a three-year degree?

    A three-year bachelor’s degree provides significant cost savings by eliminating the fourth year of tuition, room, board, and related expenses. In addition, by entering the workforce earlier, you will have an additional year of income and a competitive advantage in your field.

  • Does a three-year degree really save money?

    Yes, you will save one full year of tuition, room, board, and other related expenses. Unlike accelerated degrees where students graduate early by taking classes year-round, students in the three-year degree programs carry a standard semester load of classes during the academic year for a total of 90 credits over three years. With annual tuition set at the same amount as the traditional four-year degree, students enrolled in the three-year degree will save the cost of an entire year of tuition, room, board, and related expenses.

  • Will I be eligible for federal financial aid?

    Students in Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s applied bachelor’s degree programs are eligible for Title IV federal financial aid. However, students who leave Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ having completed an applied bachelor’s degree but later choose to return to Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ or attend another institution to complete additional undergraduate credits, either to earn a certificate of post-baccalaureate studies or to earn a second bachelor’s degree, will not be eligible for federal grant aid and may have limited eligibility for other federal aid programs. For more details, see Federal Subsidized & Unsubsidized Loans and Federal Pell Grants.

  • Which classes are removed from the three-year major compared to the four-year major?

    Thirty elective credits are removed from the three-year applied bachelor’s degree. You will take the Journeys of Transformation core that provides a foundation in critical thinking, reasoning, and ethical decision making, as well as major requirements and a professional core with an emphasis on career-oriented skills including leadership.

  • Why doesn’t Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ offer a three-year degree in every undergraduate major?

    Three-year applied bachelor’s degrees are best suited for majors with specific career paths. Not all academic programs can be streamlined to 90 credits. Nursing programs which lead to licensure, for example, must meet specific accreditation standards set by state and national organizations.

  • Will employers recognize three-year degrees?

    Three-year degrees have been designed to meet the needs of the workforce and to provide a higher volume of skilled workers for in-demand industries and fields. Courses are taught by the same qualified faculty with industry experience as the University’s four-year degree programs. This means you will be career ready faster and ready to enter the workforce with momentum. Several of the University’s corporate partners have shared that they would equally consider candidates holding a three-year bachelor’s degree in the majors the University is offering.

  • Will graduate schools accept a three-year degree?

    Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ will accept three-year degrees for entry into master’s programs and will offer 3+1 options to earn both a bachelor's and a master's in four years. We cannot guarantee that other institutions will accept an applied bachelor’s degree as a sufficient credential for admission to master’s degree programs. We advise that you confirm the specific requirements for the graduate school you are interested in attending.

  • What are the requirements to apply for a three-year degree program?

    The admissions requirements for a three-year applied bachelor’s degree are the same as the requirements for a traditional four-year bachelor’s degree.

  • Will I be able to have an internship and get real-world experience outside of the classroom?

    An internship is a required component for the three-year applied bachelor’s degree programs. In addition, the program’s career development focus will provide readiness for early career success.

  • Will I be able to study abroad or participate in the Global Scholars Honors Program?

    Students enrolled in the three-year applied bachelor’s degree will be able to participate in a study abroad during the summer, but not during the fall and spring semesters when classes are in session. They will not be able to participate in the Global Scholars Honors Program. Those wishing to pursue a study abroad experience during the academic year (fall or spring semester) or participate in the Global Scholars Honors Program should consider a four-year bachelor’s degree.

  • Can I double major or add a minor?

    Due to the focused nature of the 90-credit program, students in the three-year applied bachelor’s degree will not be able to pursue a double major or add a minor.

  • Can I transfer into a three-year degree?

    Yes, students transitioning from their first or second year of college study can transfer up to 60 credits to Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ and will be provided specialized advisement to align their existing credits with Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s three-year applied bachelor’s degree. A Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ student may be able to switch to a three-year applied bachelor's degree program depending on the number of courses and the specific courses they have taken. Students are advised to consult their academic advisor to discuss their academic program of study.

  • Can I still participate in University athletics and co-curricular/extracurricular activities?

    Yes. Students enrolled in Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s three-year degree programs will engage fully in campus life, with access to on-campus housing, intercollegiate athletics, student leadership roles, and all student support services.

  • Will I have access to academic support services?

    Yes. Students enrolled in Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s three-year degree programs will have access to the same support services offered to students enrolled in four-year bachelor’s degree programs.

  • Can I live on campus as a three-year student?

    Yes. Students enrolled in Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s three-year degree programs may live on campus and have access to the same housing lottery as students in four-year degree programs.

  • Why is Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ offering three-year degree programs?

    The University is offering these new, innovative three-year applied bachelor’s degrees to provide a path for students who wish to pursue a career-focused, comprehensive education. The University is responding by providing an affordable option for in-demand majors that have a direct path to the workforce.

  • Why hasn’t Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ offered three-year degree programs sooner?

    The New Hampshire Higher Education Commission authorized private colleges and universities to offer the three-year applied bachelor’s degree in October 2025, and the University received approval from the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) in November 2025.

  • Can I utilize veterans benefits for an applied bachelor’s degree program?

    If you are eligible for veterans benefits, as determined by the Veterans Administration, please contact Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s Veterans Coordinator at veterans@rivier.edu to discuss the applied degree.

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