This report is an outcome of a decision to conduct a national inquiry into current college and university programs that have as their goal a reduction of the time spent in earning the baccalaureate degree. During the course of conducting the inquiry, numerous approaches to time-shortening the bachelor's degree were observed. Although each of these approaches tended to have some unique characteristics, all appeared to be based on one or more of four general formulas; these formulas are identified and described in Part One. The 243 campuses that declared proposed or operational time-shortening activities were contacted for in-depth interviews. These discussions resulted in identification of 73 programs that were investigated with a survey questionnaire. Sixty-two completed questions form the basis of the findings commentary in the second part of Part One. Published materials, together with the questionnaire findings, made possible the development of the program descriptions that constitute Part Two. The general purpose of the study has been to provide a national perspective of the baccalaureate time-shortening experimentation, offer specific examples of some approaches, and develop topics of special interest, such as illustrations of potential cost savings. (Author/PG)