What Is an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Program?

Many people wonder what the fastest way to get a bachelor’s degree is. An accelerated bachelor’s program allows students to earn a college degree faster. They are available in many majors from business to criminal justice and IT.

How Do Accelerated Programs Work?

When you enroll in an accelerated bachelor’s degree program, the schedule may be tight. Classes are usually shorter and compressed into 5, 8 or 10-week sessions too. So, by ramping up your pace, you might complete your bachelor’s degree in as little as 1 year.

In contrast, traditional college classes run during semesters. There are usually two semesters – Spring and Fall. So, classes take about 16 weeks to complete. Given that a bachelor’s degree entails at least 120 credits, the average time to earn one this way is 4 years.

Who might benefit from an accelerated degree program?

• Persons who earned an associate degree and have transfer credits
• You started your bachelor’s degree a while ago but never finished
• Busy adults with not a lot of time to spare
• Members of the military
• Law Enforcement professionals
• Aspiring nurses

Pros of Accelerated Degree Programs

People who choose an accelerated bachelor’s degree may enjoy many benefits. By enrolling in one of these programs, you might:

Earn your degree faster

If time is of the essence, earning a degree faster means having the credential in hand quicker too. This may be a huge plus if your dream job entails a college degree. You’ll earn your degree sooner which may mean landing that job faster too.

Enhance your resume now

Adding your anticipated time to graduation may boost your resume. Employers often appreciate the motivation it takes to finish a degree. As such, it may improve your marketability to some employers before you finish.

Start your college degree when you want

Accelerated degree classes may be available all year. Many colleges process applications on a rolling basis. So, you don’t have to wait for a traditional semester start date.

Earn credit for prior learning

Many accelerated programs allow you to test out of courses. Or move through coursework you are familiar with. This allows you to focus on learning new material and studying at your pace.

Make the most out of your time

Many accelerated programs omit breaks. If you are someone who prefers to keep the momentum going, this may be the ticket. You’ll be able to stay in the groove instead of stopping and risking the temptation to quit.

Set your own pace

Accelerated online bachelor’s programs often let you set your own schedule. Many working adults and parents like this feature. With no set times to log in, you are able to tailor studies to your lifestyle.

Study on the move

Online accelerated degree programs are flexible. A computer and viable internet allow you to take your degree with you. Whether you deploy, have a job, kids or simply live far from your college.

Accelerated is often adult friendly

Many adults do not want to return to college because they feel older and out of place. But accelerated online programs often make for an easier transition. You may still get to network and take part in discussions, but it is usually through web chat and the like.

Save money

Students who earn an accelerated degree online may be able to save costs. For one, each year you are in school adds tuition. Since you are in school for a shorter period, you end up paying less in the long run. No student housing or travel costs to school either.

Cons of Accelerated Degree Programs

While there are benefits, there are challenges to accelerating your degree too.

It takes self motivation

It is going to be much harder if you are not a self motivated learner.  Remember you set your pace. So, your ability to discipline yourself is crucial.

Shorter programs are intense

Some accelerated bachelor’s degree programs pack 120 credits into a shorter time frame. This may mean studying with a full course load and without breaks. If you work full time, consider how much time you have to devote to your degree.

Expect fast paced

Some people learn best when they can process and absorb material. Or have breathers like summer break. You may need to give those things up in an accelerated program.

There’s no face to face

Most accelerated programs are online so you may not set foot on campus. If you are someone who feels motivated by others, you may miss the in person interaction.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree?

If you are wondering whether you can earn a bachelor’s degree in two years, yes it may be possible. Often, one needs from 12 to 18 months to complete an accelerated bachelor’s degree program.

But how long your degree takes depends on a few things. Like how many transfer credits you have. What kind of program you enroll in. And whether you’re pursuing two degrees at once. We’ll unpack a few ways to graduate in a quicker time frame below.

More Schools You May Be Interested In

Second Degree Bachelor’s Programs

One example is an accelerated nursing program. These are usually for students who already have a bachelor’s degree but not in nursing. Such ‘second degree’ nursing programs may allow students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 11 to 18 months. Apart from science courses, you usually have clinical instruction in labs and supervised nursing.

Associate to Bachelor’s Degree Completion

Many students pursuing an accelerated online degree already have an associate degree. If you earned it from an accredited college, all or some of these credits usually transfer over.

The way an associate to bachelor completion program works varies too. But you often get credit for all your general education courses. Now have fewer to do, you may finish in two years.

Credit for Prior Learning

Some students may also speed up their time to graduation by using credits from other sources. Transferring credits from a program you may have already started is one. Another is by testing out of classes through AP programs and CLEP exams.

Credit for Military Experience

Military friendly colleges often have generous transfer credit policies for military and Veteran students. These offer credit for military experience. Usually based on ACE recommendations on the Joint Service Transcript (JST). Using these credits may shorten the path to a college degree. Plus, if you deploy, online courses may be easier to access.

Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC) 
There’s another option for enlisted airman. This is to enroll in an Air University Associate to Baccalaureate Cooperative (AU-ABC).

An AU-ABC is for those who have an associate degree from the Community College of the Air Force. The program links CCAF grads to accredited civilian school with online bachelor’s degrees.

There are 59 colleges that partner with the Air Force and about 217 programs to choose from. One is American Intercontinental University. When you pursue an AIU-ABC Business degree at AIU, they accept CCAF credits right away. This has the potential to save you 50% in time and tuition.

AU-ABC programs allow CCAF grads to earn their bachelor’s degree in no more than 60 credit hours. This makes it a quicker path to graduation. Plus, one may use benefits to offset tuition costs. 

3+1 Accelerated Degrees

Another quick path to a bachelor’s degree is a ‘3 Plus 1’ program. These roll a 4-year bachelor’s degree in with a master’s degree. Usually it means condensing a bachelor’s program into 3 years. Then beginning your master’s degree in your third year.

One example of this kind of program is a 3 + 1 BS in accounting and MS in accounting. The final year helps fill the gap of credit hours one needs to fulfill CPA licensure requirements.

Law Enforcement Advanced Standing Bachelor’s Programs

Some colleges (American Intercontinental University is one) offer Law Enforcement Advanced Standing Programs. These provide transfer credits to law enforcement professionals.

Usually, it helps to speed up the time it takes to earn a criminal justice degree. Students need to have completed on a state approved law enforcement academy. Or a related training program.

Steps that May Add Time 

Another factor that impacts length is the type of program you are in. Some programs are hands-on, even when you study online.

One example is a bachelor’s degree in education. These programs often include some practice teaching under supervision. This part is critical to obtaining a state license. So, while prior learning credits may transfer, there may be no quick way to do your practicum.

How Quickly You Learn

If you have fewer credits to do but need to study part time, you may graduate ahead of four years. But, not as fast as if you enrolled full time. Figuring out how much time you can devote may give you a clear understanding of how long it can take to graduate.

How Much Does an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Cost?

At last check, the average cost of earning a bachelor’s degree at an in state public 4 year college is $19,488. Pursuing a college degree out of state costs an average of $24,854.

Another factor that impacts cost is how many credits you can transfer in. When paying per credit, the fewer credits you need to complete, the fewer you pay for. In some colleges with robust policies you might save up to 75% of your tuition.

Competency Based Learning

A wide range of colleges offer online degrees with a competency based learning option. These empower you to take the most efficient path to complete your studies.

Instead of paying a cost per credit, some colleges offer a term based tuition model. Here, you usually play a flat rate for the term. So, the more courses you are able to complete in that billing cycle, the greater your potential to cut costs.

Is an Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree Right for You? 

Remember that earning your degree on your terms means you need to figure out what your terms are. If you want to graduate ‘ahead of the class’, think about what a realistic speed is. Then choose an accelerated bachelor’s degree program that weighs:

• Your career goals 
• Amount of time each course takes and how many you have to complete 
• How long you can devote to studying each week 
• Prior learning, military experience, transfer credits 

Whatever level of commitment you are ready for, pursuing a college degree may pay off. For one, a bachelor’s degree is the entry point to many careers. Plus, having one may also increase lifetime earnings.

To give you an idea, one study compared people with a bachelor’s degree vs. an associate degree. They found bachelor’s degree holders earn an average of $1,348 per month. That’s a pretty big difference to strive for, however fast you can do it.

10 Schools with Accelerated Online Programs

Many online colleges (and traditional ones too) offer accelerated bachelor’s degree programs. You can also look for these speedier options by other names. Like fast track bachelor’s degree programs and bachelor’s completion programs. These programs allow you to earn a college degree within in the shortest time possible.