Best Online Two-Year Bachelor’s Degrees
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Are you on the hunt for a bachelor's degree you can complete in just two years? Well, technically, schools don't offer that.
But it's not impossible to do, either: Accelerated online programs are the secret to earning your diploma in record time. They offer flexible scheduling, shorter courses, and a super intensive pace for students like you — students who don't have any time to waste.
But buckle up: The fastest route to your goals may not always be the easiest. Cramming four years of curriculum into just two years isn't for the faint of heart. If you're gonna pull it off, you'll need to be strategic.
How Can I Get My Bachelor's Degree in 2 Years or Less?
There are five smart ways to reduce the time it takes to get your degree:
Get Your Bachelor's Degree Faster With Accelerated Courses
Accelerated degree programs are made to help students graduate quickly.
- Courses are condensed into much shorter time frames, including:
- 4-week college credit courses
- 5-week college credit courses
- 6-week college credit courses
- 8-week college credit courses
- You may need to take a heavier course load.
- You may need to take courses during the summer or other breaks.
- Online programs allow for more flexibility in scheduling, which allows you to work more efficiently.
Accelerated bachelor's programs can be especially useful if you want to enter the workforce quickly. Reducing your time to graduation can save money and cut down on potential lost earnings.
1. Find an Online School That Offers an Accelerated Program
Finding great accelerated programs that align with your interests and goals doesn't have to be hard. In fact, we've already done a lot of the work for you.
If you want to graduate fast and get a job quickly, make sure to:
- Pick schools with accredited programs.
- Find a program with a good reputation for the subject you're interested in.
- Prioritize schools that have good student outcomes.
- Choose programs with engaged faculty members who have real-world experience and industry connections.
2. Use Transfer Credits
Transfer credits can help you get your bachelor's degree in just two years. Applying previously earned college credits to your degree reduces the number of classes you have to take.
The fewer classes you take, the faster you can earn that diploma.
To take advantage of potential transfer credits, you'll need to research each school's transfer policy. Schools usually require that credits are from an accredited program, meet course content thresholds, and fulfill a minimum grade requirement.
3. Complete a BA Degree-Completion Program
Degree-completion programs are made to help folks who have some college under their belts already — whether that's a partially finished bachelor's degree or a two-year associate degree.
These programs accept most (or all) of your previously earned credits from accredited institutions and apply them towards a final degree. Degree-completion programs help you get to the finish line without having to start all over from scratch.
4. Devise a Custom Degree Plan
A custom degree plan is a roadmap that can help you finish your degree requirements — fast. It should include:
- Tailored Course Selection: Save time by avoiding unnecessary general education courses or electives that don't support your major.
- Strategic Scheduling: Make sure you take the right courses at the right time — avoiding conflicts and earning degree-specific prerequisites early.
- Speed Prioritization: Organize coursework according to your strengths and weaknesses, so that you can increase your course load without burning out.
Academic advisors can help you develop a customized plan to support your goal of graduating as quickly as possible.
5. Earn College Credit in High School
Earning college credit in high school can also help you get your bachelor's degree faster. There are two primary ways to do that.
- Advanced Placement Courses:AP courses allow high school students to experience a rigorous level of coursework and explore academic interest areas more deeply. If you perform well on your AP exams, you can earn college credit and bypass many general education requirements.
- Dual Enrollment: Dual enrollment programs allow high school students to take college courses from a nearby institution to earn high school and college credit. These programs are a great way to speed up your college degree timeline before you've even graduated high school.
6 Steps for Earning Your Bachelor's Degree in Two Years
OK, now you know all the tricks that can help you reduce the time it will take to get your degree. Here's how to get started:
- Pick Your Programs: Narrow down your selection to a handful of accelerated programs in your preferred field.
- Check Your Eligibility: Do you meet the criteria for admission? Some accelerated programs may require test scores or prerequisite classes.
- Check Your Schedule: Accelerated programs are intensive and will require a serious time commitment — make sure the course schedule works with your existing responsibilities.
- Figure Out Your Finances: Can you afford these programs? Do you need to apply for financial aid? Have you filled out the FAFSA?
- Contact the Admissions Office: Take some time to speak with admissions representatives to gather more program and admissions information.
- Apply: Application requirements might include transcripts, letters of recommendation, and/or test scores.
That's it — now you're on your way to getting that degree, fast.
Frequently Asked Questions About Two-Year Bachelor Degrees
Is getting a bachelor's degree in two years hard?
Getting a degree in just two years will require careful planning, determination, and grit. Many students will find it hard to juggle a heavy course load and accelerated curriculum. But picking a major that feels interesting to you can lighten the burden.
How quickly can you earn your bachelor's degree?
Typically, accelerated bachelor's programs take closer to three years to complete. But you may be able to reduce it to two years if you use transfer credits, make a custom degree plan, or enroll in a degree-completion program.
What is the easiest two-year bachelor's degree you can get?
Research shows that the easiest college major is usually the one you're most interested in. That is, you find the subject both mentally stimulating and worthy of long-term studying.
Some of the most popular college majors include business, psychology, and communication.
