What is a Single Sitting Degree?
A “single sitting” degree is a program in India that allows students to
condense a three-year bachelor’s degree program into one year of study. At
the end of the course of study, the student completes exit exams in a single
sitting – hence the term single sitting degree. While at one time single
sitting degrees were a recognized educational offering in India, the single
sitting degree has since been discontinued. Unfortunately, students
looking for a quick and easy way to earn a bachelor’s degree are ripe targets
for scammers who claim to offer a valid single sitting degree option.
Why Have Single Sitting Degrees Been Discontinued?
In India, a three-year bachelor’s degree has become the recognized
standard. In order to complete a three-year bachelor’s degree program,
students must study at least 12 different subjects and pass a comprehensive exam
in each subject. A thesis project in the student’s major area of study
must be completed by the end of the third year of study. In contrast, a
single sitting degree must either make an attempt at a program curriculum that
includes each of these 12 subjects in just a year, or must compromise degree
requirements by teaching fewer subjects or watering down the exit exams.
Neither of these options is considered an acceptable alternative, leading to the
discontinuation of single sitting degree programs. While it is true that
length of a program of study doesn’t tell the whole story, it is simply not
possible to receive the breadth and quality of a bachelor’s degree education by
taking exams in just one sitting.
Alternatives to a Single Sitting Degree
There are a variety of distance learning options that students can utilize in
lieu of a single sitting degree. Accredited colleges and universities
offer classes during evenings, weekends, online, and by mail that a student can
plan and complete around an existing work schedule or other commitments.
Distance learning programs are offered in a wide variety of disciplines in the
liberal arts and the sciences. Distance learning requires that a student
be highly motivated and able to study independently while maintaining a
self-designed study regimen. Students who take distance learning classes
must discipline themselves, since there is no daily interaction with students
and teachers, nor any requirement to attend classes. For students who are
able to self-direct their studies, distance learning is a good option.
Credit By Exam
In addition to distance learning, many colleges and universities award credit
by exam. Credit by exam is a way of receiving college credit for a single
subject in which a student can prove substantial expertise. A student who
speaks a foreign language fluently, for example, may take an exam and receive
college level credit for knowledge of the language. Students with prior
work experience relevant to a subject may also be eligible, in some cases, for
credit by exam. Credit by exam is very different from a single sitting
degree, because it awards credit in very limited circumstances for one
particular subject in which a candidate has proven to be highly
knowledgeable.