10 Online Fast-Track Teaching Degrees
Key Takeaways: Why Get an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree?
- Accelerated teaching programs help students earn their degree in a condensed, rigorous format.
- Some quick-paced online programs take as little as 12 months to complete.
- Students can also earn their teaching degree quickly through apprenticeship programs, summer classes, and transfer credits.
How fast can you get a teaching degree online? With an accelerated online 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.
Learn how these fast-track teaching degrees work and explore your options. We’ll answer common questions, list some accelerated teaching degree programs, and offer tips on how you can finish your teaching degree faster.
What Is an Accelerated Teaching Program?
Compared to the traditional four-year program, online accelerated teaching programs typically only last a year or two.
Accelerated programs are often more intense and time-consuming because you’ll cover the same curriculum in a condensed format. These programs can be ideal for students with college credit who want to become teachers quickly.
The online learning format allows for flexibility, so you can fit your studies into your schedule without rearranging your life. Still, these programs are intensive and might require taking more classes in a term.
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 |
5 Ways to Finish Your Teaching Degree Faster
There are several ways to earn your teaching degree quicker. These five tips might help you finish your online teaching degree fast.
- 1
Take Summer Classes
Taught between the busy spring and fall semesters, summer classes allow students to earn extra credits and jump ahead in their coursework.
Taking summer classes can shed credits off your overall learning path, saving you time and money.
- 2
Transfer Credits
With transfer credits, you can apply your educational credits from one school to another. This can help you save time if, for example, you’ve completed prerequisites at another school before transferring into your current program.
Maybe you’ve taken courses at a community college or have other prior college experience. These credits can save you both time and money when you pursue your teaching degree.
- 3
Enroll in a Degree-Completion Program
A degree completion program is designed for students who have earned college credits but have not completed a four-year degree program. The program allows incoming students to transfer those credits so they can take fewer courses and finish their online teaching degrees faster.
Degree completion programs can be a great match for aspiring teachers who have started a degree in a different area but who now want to transition into teaching.
- 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).
- 5
Choose an Accelerated Program
An accelerated program can help students earn their degree in a shorter time than a traditional teaching program.
In these programs, the curriculum is typically condensed, and students complete the degree at a more rigorous pace.
The shorter terms let students take more classes each year, and students in accelerated programs can transfer credits from previous education and work experience. This way, students can take fewer courses, speeding up the learning process without missing any educational content.
Accelerated programs commonly offer flexibility through online and hybrid options so students can continue their careers or other obligations while they study.
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.
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by Hannah Muniz
Updated December 7, 2023