At my school, a lot of programs were already 5 years, and we were on the quarter system so you graduated with something like 180 to 220 credits with most classes being 4 credits each.
It was a pretty intensive school. Went through all the material normal schools did in 16 weeks in 11.
I took full time loads every quarter (less the summer) in a 4 year program and still took 4 years and 2 quarters to graduate. 12 units (3 classes) was considered full time, but to graduate any 4 year program you needed to do 16 to 20 units every quarter. I did 16 most except my first year because I was paying out of state tuition. 20 units was too much with a job.
But, I do think the school had it right. Specialize the classes a lot more. Do a lot more field and lab classes. Go through the information fast and allow for course replacement for students that needed it. I ended up retaking 3 courses.
I like this methodology, but I also like how some european schools do 3 year BA and 5 year MA programs... in that when you apply for school you apply for a 3 year or a 5 year degree straight away. If you get through 3 years and want to continue, you can if you have the grades. To me this makes sense since the final year in uni is usually comprised of seminars, presentations, and internships... just like in grad school. So why not just switch it from 1 year to 2 years of that and call it a masters degree instead?
