COAS creates better system

Students pursuing degrees in both the College of Arts and Sciences and another school will find it significantly easier to graduate in four years because COAS changed some of its requirements. \nThis was a good move on COAS' part, and an excellent example of administrators responding to students and faculty who pushed for the change. \nUnder the new system, of which both incoming students and upperclassmen can take advantage, 26 hours of COAS credit will be eliminated for those seeking two degrees. In the past, students working toward a bachelor of arts degree in COAS and a bachelor of science in an outside school, such as the Kelley School of Business, had to complete degree requirements for each plus an additional 26 hours. This was nearly impossible to do in four years.\nThe new requirements will make getting a dual degree much more like getting a double major. Although officials said they did not want getting a dual degree to be too easy, this new structure will allow "motivated" students to achieve it in four years.\nThe changes took effect last month and COAS has already been helping students to take advantage of the new system. This early positive feedback shows COAS did the right thing in helping students achieve their goals. \nIn the ever-more-competitive job market, graduates with more credentials are more marketable. For a student interested in working in international business in Japan, having a bachelor of arts degree in Japanese, available through COAS, and business, through the Kelley School of Business, is the perfect combination. And now, that student can get both degrees without a fifth year. \nThe walls different schools have put up between themselves are largely artificial, and this move was a big step toward encouraging students to take advantage of the myriad academic options IU has to offer.