Is It Possible To Graduate In Four Years?

“How long will it take to earn a degree?” is an important question for most families. In the past, most people assumed a student could earn a degree in four years. Today, the typical time to graduate is between four and six years. The number of years it takes to complete a degree depends primarily on the student’s goals and decisions. These factors combined with appropriate advising and support from the University help students stay on track. CSU, Chico has one of the most efficient “time-to-degree” averages in the CSU system.

If your son or daughter wants to graduate in four years, you should know that we have developed plans for each of our academic majors and options which illustrate how to organize courses each semester to accomplish this goal. Even if your son or daughter isn’t on a four-year timeline, these Major Academic Plans (MAPs) can help you understand which courses are required for his or her major, and the sequence in which the courses should be taken. Review your son or daughter’s MAP on the Web.

At CSU, Chico we are committed to providing an outstanding educational experience with high-quality advising services, regardless of a student’s graduation timeframe. Co-curricular activities, study abroad, and internships are valuable enhancements to your son or daughter’s education, but may extend the time to a degree beyond four years. However, with careful planning these valuable experiences often can be incorporated into a four-year timeframe. Students can discover the opportunities available to them and explore how they can attain personal goals by meeting frequently with their major advisor.

We also invite students to visit the Academic Advising Programs Office (SSC 120), where staff will guide them as they explore the “Chico Experience.”

Please call us at (530) 898-5712. View or print a checklist of suggestions to help your son or daughter graduate on time while making the most of the university experience.