10 Online Fast-Track Teaching Degrees
Choose a Faster, Affordable Path to Your Teaching Degree
- Around 25% of responses from students who used BestColleges to find accelerated teaching programs indicated that program length was most important to them.
- After program length, 22% included keeping costs manageable, and 18% related to being able to transfer credits to save time and money.
- Accelerated teaching programs can help you start your career sooner by making it easy to transfer previous credits, saving you money and time.
With an accelerated teaching program, you can earn your teaching degree in half the time, sometimes as short as a year. Choose the right program and get certified in 12-18 months.
These degrees use your prior credits, learning experiences, and accelerated courses to save you time and money. However, not all schools offer licensure to all states. See what schools best fit your needs to teach and learn other helpful tips on how to graduate faster.
What Is an Accelerated Teaching Program?
An accelerated teaching program takes all the content from a four-year program and condenses the material into a more intense smaller timeframe to graduate you sooner. These types of programs are ideal for students who can commit all their time to studying since working even part-time may be challenging.
Even though your degree will be completely online classes, you should expect to complete in-person clinical experiences at a local school getting required teaching hours within the accelerated degree.
10 Online Accelerated Teaching Bachelor’s Degree Programs
| University | Degree | Duration | Accreditation | State of Licensure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Kentucky University | B.S. Elementary Education | 2-3 years (7-week terms) | EPSB, CAEP | KY |
| Western Governors University | B.A., B.S. options | Less than 3 years | AAQEP, CAEP | UT |
| Concordia University | B.A. Elementary Education | Within 3 years (8-week terms) | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction | WI |
| Baker College | B.S. Elementary Education | 2.5 years | Michigan Department of Education, HLC | MI |
| George Fox University | B.S. Education | 16-20 months | AAQEP | OR |
| University of Oklahoma | B.S. Learning & Education Studies | 12+ months | CAEP | OK |
| Clarke University | B.S. Elementary Education | As little as 18 months | Iowa Department of Education, HLC | IA |
| Arkansas State University | B.S.E. Elementary Education | 2 years with transfer credits | CAEP | AR |
| William Peace University | B.A. Elementary Education | As little as 2 years | North Carolina Department of Education, SACSCOC | NC |
| Northwest Nazarene University | B.A. Elementary Education | As little as 16 months | CAEP | ID |
4 Ways to Finish Your Teaching Degree Faster
There are several ways to earn your teaching degree quicker. These four tips might help you finish your online teaching degree fast.
- 1
Take Summer Classes
Summer classes are typically full-credit courses that are condensed into one to two months in between semesters. By taking summer classes, you can finish your degree even faster. If you qualify for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) you may also be eligible for grants and scholarships for the summer.
- 2
Transfer Credits
Most accelerated teaching bachelor’s programs accept college credits from other institutions. By maximizing the amount of credits you bring to your new program, you can finish sooner than four years and save money on classes you’ve already taken.
- 3
Enroll in a Degree-Completion Program
If you’re looking for a program and you’ve finished a lot of school already, the best program for you may be a degree completion program. These programs usually allow up to 90 credits (three years of education) to transfer into the program. These can also be ideal for students who started a degree in a different field who now want to transition into teaching.
These programs get you into your field faster without you having to complete accelerated classes. Some may even allow you to be a part-time student so you can continue your career while doing school.
- 4
Earn Credit for Experience
Experience-based credits are college credits earned from professional training, work, and life experience. This can be work you’ve done in the military or through your career in the professional world.
For one, you might take the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), which allows you to test out of introductory courses, so you can earn your degree faster and potentially save money on tuition, books, and fees.
If you have military experience, you can submit your Joint Services Transcript (JST), which shows the military courses you’ve taken. These transcripts also show the professional positions you’ve held in the military.
Non-military professional experience can transfer to college credit if you take the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
Frequently Asked Questions About Fast-Track Teaching Degrees
The quickest way to become a teacher is to enroll in a fast-track teaching degree program. You can find programs that take only one year to complete, like at the University of Oklahoma.
Another quick way to become a teacher is to complete a teacher apprenticeship program. These programs tend to take one to two years to complete.
Explore More College Resources
Online Teaching Degree Program Guide
Do you want to be a teacher? This guide walks you through how an online teaching degree can unlock a rewarding career as an educator.
Updated September 18, 2024