Fastest Accelerated Associate Degrees
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Want to earn a college degree in months instead of years? Then consider an accelerated degree program. You can earn an associate degree in 6 months online if you have the transfer credits.
With a degree in fields like healthcare, business, or education, you can boost your earning potential or prepare for a bachelor's program.
Top 25 Accelerated Associate Degrees You Can Get Quickly
What's the fastest associate degree you can earn? The answer depends on how many transfer credits you have. And you can pursue an accelerated degree in many fields. Our list of the shortest associate programs includes business, criminal justice, education, and healthcare degrees.
Explore the list to find the best fit for you — and launch your career quickly with an accelerated associate degree.
1. Online Accounting Associate Degree
You'll study taxation, auditing, and financial accounting during an accounting associate program. With an accounting degree, you can become a bookkeeper, accounting clerk, or auditing clerk.
These careers earned a median annual pay of $45,560 in May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Want to continue your education after an accelerated associate degree? Look into accounting and finance programs at four-year colleges to become an accountant or financial analyst.
Featured Online Accounting Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2. Online Business Administration Associate Degree
Business is one of the most popular majors. You'll learn about marketing, finance, and management with an associate degree in business administration.
It's a great way to launch your career as an administrative assistant or support staff. You could also transfer into a bachelor's program to qualify for more roles.
Need help deciding between finance, accounting, and other business focuses? A business administration degree offers foundational courses in multiple fields so you can try out different paths.
Featured Online Business Administration Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
3. Online Computer Programming Associate Degree
You'll study programming languages, computer systems, and database management during a computer programming degree.
After graduation, you can qualify for computer programmer jobs or work in any field that benefits from programming skills. That includes roles in web design, data science, and cybersecurity.
What programming languages can you study in a computer programming curriculum? Depending on the program, you might learn popular languages like Python, JavaScript, and SQL.
Featured Online Computer Programming Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
4. Online Computer Science Associate Degree
Computer skills can lead to jobs that pay above-average salaries. You can earn an associate in computer science to strengthen programming, network security, and software design skills.
Your degree can lead to roles like web developer, software tester, or computer support specialist. Web developers earn a median salary of $78,300 per year, which exceeds the average salary for all jobs of $45,760 (BLS, May 2021).
And you might be wondering: What's better, a bootcamp or an associate degree? If you can earn your associate degree in 6 months online, you'll benefit from having a college degree in the job market.
Featured Online Computer Science Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
5. Online Criminal Justice Associate Degree
Did you know you can become a police officer with an associate degree? You'll study law enforcement, corrections, and criminology during a criminal justice degree.
After graduation, you'll qualify for roles like a police officer, who earn a median pay of $66,020 annually (BLS, May 2021). You can also work in the correctional system.
Want to become a federal law enforcement officer? You'll need a bachelor's degree. An accelerated associate degree can help you transfer into a bachelor's program and graduate quickly.
Featured Online Criminal Justice Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
6. Online Digital Marketing Associate Degree
Digital marketing is a hot field. You'll learn about search engine optimization, social media marketing, and customer research in an associate degree program.
After graduation, you can work as a social media specialist, digital marketing associate, or advertising sales agent. Careers in marketing and advertising sales earn a median yearly salary of over $52,000 (BLS, May 2021).
Should you choose a digital marketing or marketing degree? Check programs to see where you can maximize your transfer credits to graduate in the shortest time possible.
Featured Online Digital Marketing Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
7. Online Early Childhood Education Associate Degree
In an early childhood education program, you'll learn about child development, social skills, and kindergarten readiness. These programs prepare you for careers such as preschool teacher, which pays a median annual salary of $30,210 (BLS, May 2021).
You can also work in other childcare roles or as a kindergarten aide with an associate degree.
Want to become a lead preschool teacher or childcare director? An early childhood education bachelor's degree can help you move into those leadership roles, and an associate degree can be a first step in that direction.
Featured Online Early Childhood Education Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
8. Online Education Associate Degree
During an associate in education, you'll study teaching approaches, learning styles, and assessment methods. You can gain hands-on experience by completing a practicum or shadowing a teacher.
You can also become a teacher's assistant or work in early childhood education with an associate degree.
Are you interested in teaching careers? Most require a bachelor's degree. After an accelerated associate degree, consider transferring to a teacher preparation program.
Featured Online Education Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
9. Online Entrepreneurship Associate Degree
Entrepreneurs turn their ideas into businesses. You can learn how to create a business plan and launch a new venture with an online associate degree in entrepreneurship.
After graduating, you can run a small business or help others get their businesses off the ground. You'll also gain analytical and leadership skills that help in many business fields.
Want to run your own business? You can also consider a degree in small business management or a general business degree.
Featured Online Entrepreneurship Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
10. Online Fashion Merchandising Associate Degree
Fashion merchandisers buy, sell, and market clothes and other products in the fashion industry. With a fashion merchandising degree, you can work in retail, sales, or different fashion roles.
For example, merchandise displayers plan how fashion displays look in retail stores and windows — and the role pays a median annual salary of $32,060 (BLS, May 2021).
Curious about other creative fields? Look into fashion design, interior design, or graphic design. Or check out the management side with a retail management degree.
Featured Online Fashion Merchandising Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
11. Online Finance Associate Degree
Finance is a quick-paced, exciting field. With an associate degree in finance, you'll learn how to analyze financial statements and evaluate investment strategies.
The degree can lead to careers as an accounting clerk or financial clerk. According to BLS median salary data, financial clerks made $44,760 annually in May 2021.
A finance degree is also a great option if you want to work in bookkeeping, tax preparation, or personal financial advising.
Featured Online Finance Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
12. Online Fire Science Associate Degree
Want to become a firefighter? Consider an online fire science associate program. You'll learn about fire prevention, forest fire control, and fire safety.
The degree can lead to a career as a firefighter, which pays a median salary of over $50,000 per year (BLS, May 2021). Or, with experience, you can become a fire inspector. These workers make a median yearly salary of $63,080 (BLS, May 2021).
Are you interested in similar programs? Consider emergency medical services programs or a degree in forest management, which can also lead to forest fire specialist roles.
Featured Online Fire Science Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
13. Online Healthcare Management Associate Degree
Healthcare management professionals work on the nonclinical side of healthcare. During an associate degree in healthcare management, you'll learn about health information management and healthcare administration. You'll also study healthcare finance.
The degree can lead to support roles like medical assistant or careers as a health information technologist, a field with a median annual pay of over $55,000 (BLS, May 2021).
Most management roles in healthcare require a bachelor's degree. After fast-tracking your associate degree, you can transfer into a bachelor's program to continue studying healthcare management.
Featured Online Healthcare Management Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
14. Online Homeland Security Associate Degree
Homeland security combines emergency management with national security. A homeland security associate degree trains you in criminal justice, emergency management response, and cybersecurity.
After graduation, you can become a border patrol agent, police officer, or TSA screener. With a bachelor's degree, you can qualify for more federal law enforcement careers.
What are similar majors to homeland security? Check out criminal justice, emergency management, and cybersecurity programs if you want to work in protective service careers.
Featured Online Homeland Security Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
15. Online Hospitality Management Associate Degree
Hospitality management covers everything from restaurants to hotels. You'll learn about event planning, food service management, and tourism management during a hospitality management degree.
The degree prepares you for roles like restaurant manager or lodging manager. The BLS reports that lodging managers made a median annual salary of $59,430 in May 2021.
Want to work in hospitality? You'll likely need work experience in the industry. An online program can offer flexibility that makes it easier to work while earning an accelerated associate degree.
Featured Online Hospitality Management Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
16. Online Human Resources Associate Degree
Every industry relies on human resources to manage employee relations, hiring, and benefits. Earn a human resources degree to learn about talent management, recruiting, and retention.
You'll also study workforce development and organizational change. The degree can qualify you for support roles like office clerk or human resources clerk.
Most human resources careers require a bachelor's degree. For example, you can become a human resources specialist with a bachelor's degree in the field.
Featured Online Human Resources Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
17. Online Information Technology Associate Degree
IT combines business and computing. You can study web development, database management, and programming languages during an information technology degree.
Entry-level roles include computer support specialist. These positions pay a median salary of $57,910 per year (BLS, May 2021). Or, you can apply your skills to a network administrator, web developer, or programmer role.
Want a more technical focus? Consider a degree in computer science. If you're more interested in the business side, look into information technology management programs.
Featured Online Information Technology Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
18. Online Legal Studies Associate Degree
Love courtroom dramas? Learn how the legal system operates with an online legal studies degree. You'll study criminal law, legal writing, and the court system.
You can work as a paralegal or legal assistant with a legal studies degree. These support roles pay a median salary of over $56,000 per year (BLS, May 2021).
Interested in criminal justice careers? A legal studies degree can also lead to careers in corrections, law enforcement, or the court system.
Featured Online Legal Studies Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
19. Online Marketing Associate Degree
Marketing requires strong analytical and research skills. Learn how to research competitors, launch new products, and test pricing strategies with an online marketing degree.
You can also take classes in digital marketing or advertising. With an associate degree, you can work as an advertising sales agent or in support roles like marketing assistant.
What skills will you gain during a marketing degree? Your classes will emphasize communication, analysis, and problem-solving skills. Those abilities can also help you in many fields outside of marketing.
Featured Online Marketing Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
20. Online Medical Assisting Associate Degree
Medical assisting programs train you in medical terminology. You'll also study medical information management and medical office administration.
With an associate in medical assisting, you'll qualify for several support roles in healthcare, including medical assistant jobs. Medical assistants earn a median salary of $37,190 per year (BLS, May 2021).
Looking for similar fields? You can also work in healthcare with a medical coding or health information management degree. Or, you can become a registered nurse with an associate degree.
Featured Online Medical Assisting Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
21. Online Medical Coding Associate Degree
Medical coders input health information and prepare records for insurance reimbursement. With a medical coding degree, you can work as a medical coder, health information technician, or medical records technician. Medical records specialists make a median salary of $46,660 per year (BLS, May 2021).
You'll learn medical terminology, procedural coding, and healthcare information management. Plus, these programs prepare graduates for medical coding certification.
Featured Online Medical Coding Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
22. Online Paralegal Associate Degree
Paralegals assist attorneys by drafting legal documents, conducting research, and filing legal paperwork. You can prepare for a career as a paralegal with an associate degree in paralegal studies.
The degree prepares you for a paralegal or legal assistant career, two roles that make a median salary exceeding $56,000 per year (BLS, May 2021).
Thinking about a career in law? A paralegal degree is a great way to test the legal field before committing to a bachelor's degree or law school.
Featured Online Paralegal Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
23. Online Psychology Associate Degree
Explore human behavior and mental health conditions during a psychology associate degree. After taking social psychology, child development, and abnormal psychology courses, you can work in community and social service roles.
For example, social and human services assistants earn a median salary of $37,610 annually (BLS, May 2021).
Psychologists need a graduate degree. By earning your accelerated associate degree, you can test out the field and see whether it's worth pursuing a career as a psychologist.
Featured Online Psychology Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
24. Online Small Business Associate Degree
Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. Learn how to run a small business with an associate degree in small business management. You'll study finance, leadership, and marketing all through the lens of small businesses.
With your degree, you can become a business owner or take over the management of a small business.
Can't decide if a small business degree suits you? Consider related programs like entrepreneurship or business administration.
Featured Online Small Business Associate Program
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
25. Online Sociology Associate Degree
Sociology majors study human society and culture. In these programs, you'll learn about social movements, criminology, and social inequality.
A sociology degree will develop your research, communication, and writing skills. You can apply these skills to diverse fields, like business, social services, and human resources.
Want to continue learning about society? Look into bachelor's in sociology programs. You'll qualify for roles like caseworker, human resources specialist, and even social worker with a bachelor's degree.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Online Associate Degrees
What is an accelerated online degree?
An accelerated online degree lets you earn credits in less time. Instead of taking a 15-week class, you can take the same class in eight weeks with an accelerated schedule.
Many colleges offer shorter terms so you can complete credits faster and graduate sooner. For example, you can sign up for summer classes to accelerate your degree. And you can earn an associate degree in 6 months online by maximizing your transfer credits.
Is an accelerated associate degree worth it?
An accelerated associate degree can help you launch your career in less time, making it worth it for some people. Many career paths require a college degree. And in other fields, a degree can help you stand out from other job candidates.
Choosing the fastest associate degree programs can put your degree to work sooner. However, when researching accelerated programs, make sure to choose an accredited school. Accredited colleges meet high standards for academic quality.
Can you get an associate degree in one year?
Yes, you can get an associate degree in one year or less. Typically, an associate degree takes two years. During that time, students complete 60 credits. However, an accelerated format can cut time off the degree length.
For example, some colleges offer six terms per year instead of two, so you can earn credits faster. You can also earn an associate degree in 6-12 months online if you have transfer credits that apply toward your degree.
