With The University of Alabama’s increasing costs of attendance and the continually shrinking job market, many students try to speed up their graduation process to save money and get a jump on students who may be entering the same field.

Ashley Austin, a senior majoring in psychology, is one such student who came to the University last year as a freshman with junior hours and will graduate in May 2014.

Austin said the University took 75 of her dual enrollment credits from high school, a specialized regional school where she took college classes for advanced high school students in her area.

“I knew I wouldn’t get all of my college paid for, so it was a good opportunity to get some of it out of the way,” Austin said. “I knew it would knock off a semester or two, but I didn’t think it would knock off two years.”

The University’s website projects cost of attendance per semester for an in-state student to be $12,303, covering various costs like tuition itself, fees for each college, books and other supplies, a parking pass and a meal plan.

Over the course of four years, the cost averages out to be $49,212 for a student’s four-year undergraduate education. Austin’s 75 transfer credits cut her undergraduate costs in half.

“Most high school students who specifically have dual enrollment take their courses at a junior or community college where tuition is much cheaper,” Dave Heggem, associate dean of commerce and business administration, said. “When they transfer those courses to UA along with any other credit they have earned, it is obviously saving them money because of the lucrative scholarship offer this specific student may have accepted.”

Austin said DegreeWorks was key in planning out how she would complete her coursework.

“You have to plan so you know what you have to do to graduate early,” Austin said. “In majors where you’re looking into graduate school, they’ll want research and publication Early graduation isn’t an advantage, but for anyone who’s in a major where they’ll get a job right after, I’d absolutely recommend it.”

Heggem said early graduation is a way to get a jump on available positions.

“These high-achieving students probably have done an internship or co-op during their educational career, and the company which they worked for may have offered them a job during their time with them,” Heggem said. “The high-achieving student coming to UA at the present time has advanced placement credit, dual enrollment in high school, and possible International Baccalaureate or CLEP credit. With all of this work in place at the front end, students want to enter the work place much sooner.”

Aime O’Keefe, a senior majoring in public relations, came to the University with 45 transfer credits from participating in dual enrollment and advanced placement programs. O’Keefe said she received a suggestion during a networking convention to graduate early and that motivation was part of strategic career planning.

“As a superior in my class, my mentor suggested it could be easier to find a job in December when there are less graduates entering the field,” O’Keefe said.

Mary Lowrey, director of career education and development for the University’s Career Center, said the Career Center advises all students to prioritize career preparation early, as it can lead to more time to research majors and careers.

“Some students who enter college with credit hours have already determined which major will best suit their interests and needs, but others have not,” Lowrey said. “We work with them on making an informed decision realizing they also feel the need to make a quick decision because they are finished with general requirements.”

Any student seeking assistance with a career plan can contact the Career Center for assistance in planning and in job search. Lowrey said services are available to students and alumni alike at all points in their career planning.

“Appointments for discussing individual circumstances are also available, so students graduating early who are interested in developing a career action plan are encouraged to have that conversation,” Lowrey said.

O’Keefe said if a student wants to graduate early, they already have a higher motivation for success than their peers.

“That motivation to succeed is a quality employers value,” O’Keefe said. “Continue with the same passion for your goals and you will find success.”