Accelerated Online Associate Degree Programs

Q: Can I get an accelerated associate degree online?

Yes, though they aren't as common. Many schools offer traditional associate degrees, while only a few offer accelerated associate degree programs online. Online learning tends to be more flexible regarding accelerated associate degree programs, but most will still require your full attention. They may also require you to pause work or to work part time while you focus on your studies.

Q: Can I get an associate degree in one year?

Yes. Most associate degrees take two years to complete, and most accelerated associate degrees take approximately 12 months to complete. However, if you transfer in prior credits, you might be able to enroll in a six-month accelerated associate degree program. These courses of study condense training to one year in various ways, such as by allowing learners to take more courses in a semester or fast-track their studies with self-paced training.

Q: Can you work while completing an accelerated associate degree program?

Yes, you can work while completing an accelerated associate degree program, but it's not highly recommended. You'll be required to put more time into a one-year degree since it condenses two years of study in up to half the time.

You can earn your online associate degree in just one year at these schools. Find out where to dive headfirst into your educational journey.

Updated on April 23, 2025

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Key Takeaways

You can find schools that offer accelerated associate degree programs that take 18 months or less to complete.
Popular accelerated degrees include accounting, business administration, criminal justice, and medical coding.
Online accelerated associate degree programs can cost less than traditional two-year programs.

If you’re ready to speed through your first experience in higher education, an accelerated online associate degree might be the right call for you.

These programs help you get your degree fast. They cover general education requirements and prerequisites in about half the time of a traditional two-year associate program.

While you can get your associate degree online at many institutions, accelerated programs are hard to come by without bringing in any prior credits. Check out our list to see which degrees you can dive into full speed.

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How Do Accelerated Associate Degree Programs Work?

A typical online associate program is 60 credits and takes about two years to complete. They mostly come as associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) degrees.

Are you planning to pursue a degree in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields? An associate of science degree may be the best pathway, allowing you to cover as many STEM prerequisites as possible to transfer into bachelor’s programs.

An accelerated associate degree takes those 60 credits and condenses them into a single year — so you’ll likely be focused on coursework and assignments year-round without many long breaks.

These programs can be a good option if you are employed part time or can pause working entirely, since most of your time will be spent studying.

5 Schools With Accelerated Online Associate Degrees

Some of the biggest online universities don’t offer online associate degrees. And if they do, they aren’t accelerated programs. However, some, like Purdue Global, offer self-paced associate programs that could be a good option for you.

Here are some community colleges that offer online associate degrees in half the time. Also, browse the community colleges in your area to see if they offer any online accelerated programs.

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Associate of arts
Associate of science

MATC’s AA and AS degrees are general education programs meant to get you into a bachelor’s program at a four-year institution. These programs cover requirements like foreign language, math, English, and other necessary courses to graduate. The AA focuses more on the humanities, while the AS will help get you the STEM prerequisites you need to succeed.

Greenville Technical College

Associate in arts
Associate in science

At GTC, you’ll need to be available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Depending on the class, you may be required to attend in-person, hybrid, or completely online.

GTC also allows you to take accelerated courses instead of an entirely accelerated program if you still want to fast-track your degree without feeling pressured to complete it within a year.

Tidewater Community College

Associate of science in business administration
Associate of science in general studies
Associate of science in social science

If you’re interested in business, start with Tidewater’s AS in business administration. This program can prepare you to transfer into a bachelor’s degree in business by offering classes like accounting, marketing, and finance. You even have the chance to get a certificate in leadership.

If you plan on entering the social sciences field or want to explore various options, the AS in social science helps prepare you to pursue a career in psychology, social work, economics, and more, with courses in psychology, political science, anthropology, and economics.

South Piedmont Community College

Associate in arts

At South Piedmont, you’ll take up to two classes lasting from 2-5 weeks each to earn your associate degree in a year. You’ll be in small classes where you can get to know your classmates and professors. If you’re a North Carolina resident, you could qualify to pay at most $1,500 for your entire degree.

Truckee Meadows Community College

Business associate of arts

One of the biggest advantages of Truckee Meadows is the ability to transfer directly into the University of Nevada, Reno’s business school after graduation. In the program, you’ll be a part of a cohort of students taking two five-week classes at a time, with some small breaks in the year. A few course highlights include microeconomics, financial accounting, and marketing principles.

How Much Do Accelerated Online Associate Degree Programs Cost?

An online associate degree costs about $3,323, but with financial aid, you’ll likely pay around $1,869 for a program, according to 2020 National Center for Education Statistics findings.

The biggest way to cut your expenses is through financial aid.

You can find out what aid you are eligible for by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you meet a certain income threshold, you may be eligible for grants and scholarships, which you don’t have to pay back, or federal loans, which you do have to pay back.

Once you complete the FAFSA, your school of choice will respond with a financial aid offer.

Are Online Accelerated Associate Degrees Worth It?

While it can feel great to get your degree quicker, there are some considerations you have to account for before you start. The biggest one is time. You’ll likely commit twice as much time to your studies in a one-year accelerated online program as in a traditional one.

This means you may not be able to work as much or at all while you study. However, if you have the time, accelerated degrees can help you upskill toward higher-paying jobs faster.

Pros

Finish your degree in half the time
Earn your prerequisites for a bachelor’s major cheaper than at a four-year university
Fantastic for transitioning into a four-year program

Cons

Intense time constraints
May have to work part time or not at all to balance schoolwork
Not as high earnings on its own

Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Associate Degrees

What is an accelerated associate degree?

An accelerated associate degree provides the same credentials as a traditional associate degree in a shorter period of time. These degrees reduce the time it takes to graduate with heavier course loads, self-paced studies, more transfer credits, and fewer general education credits or electives.

Similar to traditional degrees, accelerated associate degrees can help you pursue entry-level careers in many fields. They also provide an educational foundation for students to build on with more advanced degrees.