What Is an Accelerated Degree Program?

Most undergraduate students spend more than four years earning their bachelor’s degrees. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average student spends 52 months on their bachelor’s degree. With an accelerated program, however, you can shorten the time it takes to earn your degree.

BestColleges asked students using our tools what they look for most in a program. Program length or speed came out on top with the highest percentage of responses at 26%. Behind that, 20% of responses most valued the degree’s long-term ROI and 16% citing the program’s ability to accept transfer credits.

If you’re looking to save money by graduating quicker, accelerated degree programs condense traditional degrees into smaller time windows so you can enter the workforce quicker. Some, like accelerated bachelor’s programs, can take as little as one year to complete if you come in with previous college credits.

Accelerated programs aren’t for everyone, so weigh the pros and cons before enrolling. You may graduate faster, but your coursework will be more intense in a shorter period of time, which may require you to step back from or pause work entirely to focus on schooling.

The structure of accelerated programs can vary. Some programs offer classes on an accelerated semester term, while others offer more terms per year or higher course loads. Accelerated bachelor’s programs may require students to bring in transfer credits, but typically, accelerated programs set the same admission requirements as traditional programs.

Many schools charge by credit, so the cost depends on the program and how many credits you transfer in. Before enrolling in an accelerated program, research the total cost of the degree and compare it with traditional programs.

One thing to watch out for are diploma mills: unaccredited, private, for-profit colleges often promise an accelerated degree that only takes weeks. Avoid these scams by always choosing an accredited college or university.

An accelerated program can save you months or even years. In a traditional master’s degree program you’ll study for two years, but accelerated versions can take just half that time.

The length of an accelerated program depends on the degree and your prior college credits. Many bachelor’s degree completion programs take 1-2 years for transfer students with an associate degree or equivalent credits.

In most accelerated programs, students take classes year-round to graduate sooner. Accelerated programs typically require a higher weekly time commitment than traditional programs since you’ll learn much more in a shorter time.

There are a few types of accelerated degrees you can pursue depending on your goals, time commitment, and if you want to pursue more education. Check out whether a three-year, degree-completion, or accelerated term program is right for you.

You also may qualify for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a part- or full-time student.

The newest degrees on the block are three-year bachelor’s degrees that convert the 120-credit standard to just 90 credits.

These accredited degrees still incorporate general education courses and electives while reevaluating entire curricula to include core skills within different classes.

Three-year degrees are a very new concept with only a few popping up at at least seven universities in the country and have had very few graduates. Most colleges allow students within these programs to switch to the four-year variant if they no longer wish to continue in the accelerated three-year program.

Degree-completion programs are designed for students who completed some college but never earned their associate or bachelor’s degree. Most are designed to graduate you in two years or less by letting you transfer upwards of three years (90 credits) of schooling.

Your program length and cost will depend on how many credits you transfer since most charge per credit hour instead of per semester. These programs also can be very career-friendly, letting you participate part-time.

BestColleges found 10 schools that charge typically between $100-$600 per credit hour, with some costing more or less.

Accelerated term programs often condense 16-week semesters down to just eight. If you’re new to school and want to graduate as fast as possible, this degree program may be for you. However, these programs can be the most intense and may require you to cut down or pause work entirely while you complete the program.

While these may be the most intense, if you’re starting with minimal or no transfer credits, you’ll graduate the soonest while saving money on a whole year of school.