Accelerated Online Degree Programs for Working Adults [2023]
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If you're a busy adult, finding a degree program that works with your schedule and helps you qualify for a better job can make a big difference. Accelerated online degree programs can help you balance your responsibilities while furthering your career.
Keep reading to find out what options are available for working adults.
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Popular Bachelor's Degrees
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Whether your passion is advertising or supply chain management, biology or marketing, there are plenty of online degree programs for working adults.
Accelerated Online Degree Programs for Working Adults
You can qualify for in-demand jobs with competitive salaries by completing an accelerated online degree program. Check out the top accelerated online degrees for working adults below.
1. Advertising
Advertising degree programs provide training in the areas of marketing and advertising strategies, customer behavior evaluation, digital advertising development, and social media marketing. As a graduate, you can pursue roles such as social campaign manager, marketing coordinator, account executive, and sales representative.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects jobs for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers to grow by 10% between 2021 and 2031.
Featured Advertising Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
2. Accounting
Accountants perform vital roles for individuals, organizations, and governments alike by managing finances. A bachelor's degree in accounting covers foundational topics such as managerial accounting, accounting information systems, and auditing. Accountants and auditors earned median salaries of $77,250 per year (BLS, May 2021).
Featured Accounting Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
3. Biology
Earning a bachelor's in biology can open doors to entry-level careers as well as continuing education opportunities, making it a popular major. Common coursework includes statistical biology, chemical biology, biophysics, and microbiology. If you decide to become a microbiologist, you can expect to earn a median salary of just under $80,000 per year (BLS, May 2021).
Featured Biology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
4. Business Administration
If you want a degree that leads to a wide variety of jobs, a bachelor's in business administration offers many options. With a curriculum focused on topics like business communications, human resource management, economic principles, and business statistics, you can take your career in countless directions. After working in the field for a few years, you can also pursue an MBA.
Featured Business Administration Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
5. Computer Science
Computer and information tech jobs are projected to grow by 15% between 2021 and 2031, creating a variety of opportunities for graduates (BLS, May 2021). Plus, a bachelor's in computer science program easily translates to online learning and includes courses such as computer programming, artificial intelligence engineering, computer hardware, and software engineering.
Featured Computer Science Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
6. Computer Informations System
Computer information systems bachelor's degrees focus on providing training in areas of systems analysis and design, infrastructure technologies, management of information systems, and data analysis for decision-making. As a graduate, you may qualify for work as a computer systems analyst — and earn a median annual salary of $99,270 (BLS, May 2021).
Featured Computer Informations Systems Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
7. Criminal Justice
Earning a bachelor's degree in criminal justice opens up career paths in areas of law enforcement, cybersecurity, forensics, and criminology. Programs commonly cover topics such as corrections in the United States, criminal law and evidence, criminal behavior, and criminal procedure.
Featured Criminal Justice Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
8. Education
Whether you plan to work in primary, secondary, or adult education, a bachelor's in education can put you on the path to teaching others. You'll select a concentration based on your educational interests, but core coursework typically includes instructional technologies, curriculum and instruction research, and classroom management. Aside from student teaching, you can complete this degree fully online.
Featured Education Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
9. Finance
If you want to qualify for high-paying jobs, an online bachelor's in finance provides a great pathway. After studying topics such as financial markets and institutions, intermediate corporate finance, and financial derivatives, you can qualify to work as a budget or financial analyst, portfolio manager, or financial planner. Plus, all business and finance occupations earned a median annual wage of $76,570 — significantly above the median for all occupations (BLS, May 2021).
Featured Finance Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
10. General Studies
A bachelor's in general studies allows you to customize your studies, creating a degree that works with your personal and professional needs. Most programs include a core curriculum in liberal arts topics while allowing for plenty of electives. The types of jobs you can qualify for after graduating depend on the kinds of classes you take.
Featured General Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
11. Healthcare Administration
With healthcare occupations projected to grow by 13% between 2021 and 2031, working adults who earn a bachelor's in healthcare administration can find many different jobs after graduating (BLS, May 2021). Some of the coursework you can expect to complete includes principles of healthcare administration, healthcare communications and marketing, and leadership skills for healthcare professionals.
Featured Healthcare Administration Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
12. Information Technology
As more individuals and companies rely on information tech — the need for jobs grows. A bachelor's in information technology focuses on building skills in systems administration, robotics and artificial intelligence, computer networks, and software development. In 2021, information security analysts earned a median pay of $102,600 (BLS, May 2021).
Featured Information Technology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
13. Legal Studies
A bachelor's in legal studies is a good degree for those who want to work as paralegals, law office managers, probation officers, or court reporters. Four-year legal studies programs cover topics such as legal research and writing, fact identification, and American civil and criminal law. They also provide a great foundation for earning a law degree.
Featured Legal Studies Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
14. Liberal Arts
Bachelor's in liberal arts programs are interdisciplinary, covering topics in sociology, psychology, history, English, literature, and other creative arts. If you want to work in areas of writing and editing, project management, human resources, or public relations, a liberal arts degree could help get you started on the path.
Featured Liberal Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
15. Management
Typically provided through business schools, a bachelor's in management program offers training in organizational behavior, strategic business management, corporate finance, and economics. Management roles are projected to grow by 8% between 2021 and 2031, and professionals in these roles earned a median wage of $102,450 (BLS, May 2021).
Featured Management Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
16. Marketing
A popular degree, a bachelor's in marketing can open plenty of professional doors. These programs emphasize studies in consumer behavior and marketing communications, marketing research, social media campaigns, and data analytics. Plus, marketing managers earned a median annual salary of $133,380 (BLS, May 2021).
Featured Marketing Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
17. Political Science
If you enjoy the world of politics and government, a bachelor's in political science can help you enter the field. These programs cover topics such as governmental powers and the law, public opinion, legislative processes, and international relations. Common jobs for graduates include campaign manager, press secretary, and legislative aide.
Featured Political Science Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
18. Psychology
A bachelor's in psychology won't qualify you to work as a psychologist, but it does open many professional doors. Graduates can find work as market researchers, psychiatric technicians, health educators, and community service managers. Common coursework includes cognitive processes, lifespan developmental psychology, and research methods for psychology.
Featured Psychology Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
19. Public Health
Public health is a vitally important and growing field. And if you enjoy helping others, a bachelor's in public health can get you there. You can choose to work as a health education specialist, public health researcher, environmental health officer, or community health worker. Common classes include public health law, health policy, and public health practice.
Featured Public Health Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
20. Supply Chain Management
If you enjoy logistics and organization, a bachelor's in supply chain management can help you break into this growing field. Common roles you can pursue after graduation include logistician, purchasing manager, or distribution manager. You can expect to take classes in managerial accounting, service and manufacturing operations, and advanced logistics.
Featured Supply Chain Management Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How Can I Earn My Accelerated Degree Online as a Working Adult
As a working adult, you're likely busy. Thankfully, you can choose from several different options when it comes to earning your degree.
Online Courses
You can earn your accelerated degree 100% online, making it easy to complete classes at a time and place that works with your schedule. Many universities provide asynchronous classes, meaning you can watch pre-recorded lectures. Others use a synchronous model, meaning you'll need to log in at specific times.
Popular Bachelor's Degrees
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Self-Paced Degree Programs
If you want to graduate as quickly as possible, a self-paced program may be for you. These allow you to complete as much coursework as you're able during a set amount of time. Many of these programs use a set tuition rate, meaning you can also graduate for less if you keep to an accelerated schedule.
Popular Bachelor's Degrees
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Credit for Prior Learning
Credit for prior learning (CPL) makes it possible for you to gain college credits based on what you've learned as a working adult. Approved CPL will depend on where you attend college and whether previous learning experiences relate to your chosen degree. But common examples include independent study, volunteering and community service, and employer training programs.
Testing Out of College Classes
A great option for bypassing some general education requirements is taking and passing College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams, which can cut your degree timeline significantly. The College Board currently oversees CLEP exams and offers testing in 34 different areas. Nearly 3,000 colleges accept passing CLEP scores and award college credits.
Popular Bachelor's Degrees
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Degrees for Working Adults
Can you get a degree while working full time?
Absolutely. Countless working students earn their degrees each year while balancing personal and professional responsibilities. With so many colleges and universities now offering degrees completely online, it's never been easier to advance your education — and your career. In some cases, your employer may even allow you to work adjusted hours to fit your schooling requirements more easily into your schedule.
What financial aid can you get as a working adult?
As with other undergraduates, you can apply for financial aid via the Free Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA). This can help you qualify for scholarships and grants as well as government-secured student loans.If you want to earn a degree related to your current job and plan to stay with your company after graduating, you may also qualify for employer funding. Some companies may provide this outright, while others may provide it as a tax-free educational credit.
Is it worth earning a degree as a working adult?
In many cases, yes. The Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities reports that working adults with a bachelor's degree earn 84% more than their colleagues with high school diplomas. Additionally, college graduates earn an average of $1.2 million more during their careers than those with diplomas.In addition to increased earnings, completing a bachelor's degree can also make it easier to move into a career that aligns more closely with your interests and skill sets and provides more professional fulfillment.