Fast Online Degree Programs and How They Work

A college degree can lead to higher earnings and better career prospects, but earning one takes time.

If you can’t afford to spend four years in school, there are still plenty of faster ways to pursue a college degree. Many fully accredited schools offer accelerated online degrees that you can finish in half the time.

You can often complete an accelerated online bachelor’s degree in just 2-3 years and other accelerated degree types, like an associate degree, in even less time. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about accelerated degree programs.

Colleges offer accelerated degree programs at every level. Whether you’re looking to quickly earn an associate degree and head into the job market or get a master’s degree to boost your current career, accelerated degrees are available.

Associate degrees usually take two years, but an accelerated format can help you finish a degree in just 12-18 months.

You’ll generally need 60 credits to get an associate degree. Fast online associate degrees with a full-time course load typically include 15 credits per semester, or about five courses. A quick associate degree usually means working through the summer to finish faster.

An associate degree is a useful tool for job seekers, and many bachelor’s programs allow you to transfer associate degree credits toward a four-year degree in a related field.

An accelerated bachelor’s degree usually requires a heavier course load than a traditional four-year bachelor’s degree. You’ll complete the same education at a much faster pace, with few breaks between terms.

Accelerated bachelor’s degrees usually take about 2-3 years to complete. You can finish even faster with transferable credits from previous studies, such as an associate degree.

Most bachelor’s degrees require 120 credits. Accelerated programs include summer semesters of full-time coursework to help you finish faster. Many programs also offer flexible transfer options, so if you’re one of millions of Americans with some college but no degree, you might be able to apply your past experience and finish faster.

An accelerated master’s degree includes intensive study to finish a graduate-level education in as little as one year. One-year master’s degree programs, such as a one-year master of business administration (MBA) degree, are increasingly popular as students look for a fast return on their investment.

Master’s degrees vary in credit requirements, but most fast one-year master’s programs require 30 credits. Many programs, like one-year MBAs or management master’s degrees, require intensive coursework during your year of study. Accelerated master’s programs usually condense courses into seven- or eight-week formats rather than the typical 15-week semester format.

Other master’s degrees require 60 credits and are self-paced, meaning you can finish courses and modules at your own pace and accelerate your completion time according to your schedule.

A number of doctoral degrees come in accelerated, intensive formats. A typical Ph.D. program takes at least five years to finish, and a professional doctoral program takes 3-4 years. However, accelerated programs can take roughly a year off the timeline.

The number of credits you’ll need for a doctoral program varies widely. Some professional doctoral degrees, like the doctor of public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, require less than 50 credits. Others, like the doctor of education from Vanderbilt University, require more than 80.

An accelerated degree program lets you complete degree requirements in less time.

Many programs include more terms per year, which means you may have to study during the summer as well as during the spring and fall semesters. Some programs also have a higher course load, meaning you’ll be enrolled in more classes than a typical student and have more work at any given time.

When looking for an accelerated degree, it’s important to choose an accredited program. Shady diploma mill scams may promise a degree that only takes weeks, but even accelerated programs still take time and effort to earn a degree.

Some schools also offer dual degree programs, allowing you to earn two degrees in a shortened amount of time. A number of schools offer 4+1 programs, allowing students to take graduate-level coursework and earn a master’s degree in just one year following their bachelor’s program.

Earning college credits outside of traditional education can help you earn your degree faster. Here are some fast ways to get additional credits toward your degree.