Is an Accelerated Degree Program Right for Me?

Accelerated degree programs allow students to graduate quickly and enter the job market in less time. While students must complete more coursework in a shorter time frame, accelerated programs typically cost much less than traditional bachelor’s degrees.

Discover the pros and cons of an accelerated degree program below to find out if it is the right fit for you.

Online accelerated programs are condensed programs that enable students to finish their degrees faster. Many accelerated programs offer asynchronous classes that give students the flexibility to complete their assignments and exams at their own pace.

Most traditional college courses last 15-16 weeks. Full-time bachelor’s degree students need 4-5 years to complete all required courses. In contrast, accelerated degree programs offer compressed classes that last 5-10 weeks. Students typically take 1-2 accelerated classes at a time, allowing them to earn a four-year degree in 2-3 years.

Accelerated programs generally have the same content, structure, and academic rigor as traditionally-paced programs. Many schools offer accelerated degrees in computer science, management, data analytics, liberal arts, communication, cybersecurity, nursing, social work, and several interdisciplinary studies. Degree levels for online accelerated programs range from associate to doctorate degrees.

Students who want to graduate and enter the workforce quickly might find accelerated courses more attractive than students who want to take more time to enjoy the traditional college experience.

They should also note, however, that with an accelerated program, they will likely have to dedicate more time each week to their studies than in a traditional online program.

Accelerated degree programs may particularly benefit people with prior work, military, or volunteer experience. Many students who choose accelerated programs already have jobs, want to change careers, or simply desire professional advancement.

Accelerated programs also suit students who juggle family obligations or need to schedule classes around their work schedules.

Students with associate degrees or 30-60 college credits can apply their credits toward their programs and graduate even faster.

The experience was great but very packed, says Grace Lee, RN, who did an accelerated nursing degree program in Canada.

Lee emphasizes the benefits of doing an accelerated program, including a concise curriculum and not having to retain information for an extended period of time.

The concepts were taught quickly one after another, which meant I didn’t have to try and refresh my memory of the previous concepts.

Accelerated programs are very straight to the point with no extra content, she continued. It’s easy to learn the next concepts because the previous concepts are still fresh in the mind.

Lee adds that her peers were an added bonus.

The students in the accelerated programs are also all very mature and serious about their studies which creates a better atmosphere.

What are some downsides? According to Lee, the intensity of the program makes it harder to have a breather.

The very short breaks in between [don’t] give you enough time to recover… leading to more feelings of being burned out.

Still, Lee would choose to do an accelerated degree program over a traditional length program again.

I find the traditional programs very long with extra content that I find not necessary. I find I can’t sit for a long time and [enjoy] being taught very straight to the point concepts with no fluff.

Overall, it was a good experience, Lee says. No fluff in the content and just very quick and straight to the point.