A Guide to Accelerated Bachelor's Degrees

Most undergraduate students will earn their bachelor's degree in four or five years. An accelerated bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate program designed to be more fast-paced than a traditional bachelor’s program, allowing you to earn your bachelor’s in three years or less. That option may be useful for young professionals eager to enter the workforce more quickly, or for professionals who wish to return to school to advance their careers. There are also accelerated bachelor’s degrees for students who began a degree program and could not finish it.  

This article will cover important facts about accelerated bachelor’s degrees and the benefits of pursuing this type of program. 

What is an accelerated degree?

A bachelor’s degree typically requires students to complete a minimum of 120 credits to graduate. When students attend college or university full-time, they’re usually able to finish their degree coursework in four to five years. However, various factors can impact that timeline, such as changing majors or taking fewer classes each semester. 

An accelerated degree allows you to earn your undergraduate degree faster than the traditional timeline. When you enroll in an accelerated bachelor’s degree program, you can usually complete your degree in three years. However, each accelerated program differs, and earning your degree in two years may be possible. 

Typically, accelerated programs are offered entirely online or as a hybrid model, with some classes requiring in-person attendance. They are not available in every major and tend to be rigorous. Accelerated programs can be especially challenging because they often cover the same amount of coursework required to graduate but in a fraction of the time. 

Can I decide to accelerate a bachelor's degree?

You might ask, "What if I decide to accelerate my degree program during my first year?" It happens. Maybe you want to graduate early to save a full year of tuition and get a head start in the job market. Maybe you decided to switch to a fully online program. It is possible to graduate early with a bachelor's degree. This differs slightly from applying directly for an accelerated bachelor's degree program. Talk to your academic advisor for guidance on how to stack class credits and take summer courses.

Popular accelerated bachelor’s degrees

Not every major is available as an accelerated bachelor’s degree. Common accelerated bachelor's degree programs include:

• Accounting

• Business administration

• Communications

• Health care administration

• Marketing

• Nursing 

Degree completion programs

Some students enroll in college only to have their studies interrupted for personal or professional reasons. Degree completion programs are intended to help students who are interested in going back to school finish their degree in a shorter amount of time. These programs usually apply previously earned college credits as transfer credits or offer compact classes designed to be completed in less time. If you've already completed some undergraduate education or earned your associate degree, a degree completion program may be a good option for you.

Learn more: Do College Credits Expire?

5 benefits of an accelerated bachelor’s degree

The benefits of choosing an accelerated degree program include earning your college degree at a faster pace in order to advance your career or transition to a new career path more quickly than you might otherwise be able to. You may also benefit from lower costs and more scheduling flexibility often associated with online education.  

1. Faster pace 

Accelerated programs often feature five-to-eight-week courses. In some cases, you may take one class at a time, which intensely focuses on a specific topic. In others, you’ll be expected to be a full-time student taking a full course load (about 15 hours). Many programs operate year-round without traditional semester breaks, like winter or summer.

2. Staggered start dates

In a traditional bachelor’s program, you’ll likely have to apply months before learning whether you’re accepted. Once you get into a school, colleges and universities tend to expect you to begin during the fall semester—or the start of a new academic year. With an accelerated program, you may find more frequent application deadlines and start dates, so you can begin learning much sooner. 

3. Reduced costs

Accelerated degree programs often cost less because you’re in school for a shorter time. Additionally, many students select an online degree program, eliminating certain costs or fees associated with in-person learning. As long as a school is accredited, you can apply for federal financial aid to offset costs.

4. Class schedule flexibility

Accelerated programs can appeal to nontraditional students, many of whom have full-time jobs or families. Since accelerated programs are often online, they’re typically easier for professional students to attend while managing their other responsibilities. 

5. Faster career advancement

A significant benefit of an accelerated degree is the reduced time commitment, which means you can enter the job force sooner. Whether you want to begin your career or change it, you won’t wait as long to finish your degree and embark on your professional goals. 

How do employers view accelerated degree programs?

While every company is different, many recruiters seek evidence of your degree on your resume. They want to know what you majored in, where you attended college, and your GPA if you're a recent graduate. You do not have to disclose how you earned your degree, and typically, your undergraduate degree will be the same regardless of how long it took you to earn it.

Given that it often takes undergraduates more time to earn their degree, some employers may value the commitment and drive you exhibit by pursuing an accelerated degree.

What qualities are necessary to succeed in an accelerated bachelor's degree program?

You will typically have more success if you are self-motivated, especially if courses are online. You need to take initiative, work through assignments alone, and reach out with questions. These courses move quickly, so it's important to contact your professor if you have trouble understanding a certain concept. 

A strong sense of commitment is important, too since accelerated programs have minimal breaks in between classes. 

Alternatives to accelerated degrees

Accelerated degrees can be a great option for self-motivated learners who are willing to commit extra time to their degree and move at a faster pace. However, there are alternatives that can help you advance your career, including certifications, professional certificates, and individual courses.

Certifications: By completing intensive classes on a highly-specific topic, you can earn a certification to potentially help advance your career. A certification shows that you have successfully passed an exam and acquired industry-vetted skills. 

Professional certificates: Certificates are usually awarded after taking an in-depth series of classes. While you may have quizzes and tests throughout your certificate program, you likely won’t have an industry-approved exam at the end, as you would with a certification. 

Certificates show companies the initiative you’ve taken to learn a new skill. Certificates usually provide education in a tailored field. For instance, you can pursue several Professional Certificates on Coursera, such as Meta Social Media Marketing, Intuit Bookkeeping, and Google IT Support Professional Certificate.

Courses: You can also take individual courses in certain subjects to bolster your subject knowledge and workplace skills. A specialization like Excel Skills for Business can help you improve your software skills or a course like Inclusive Leadership: The Power of Workplace Diversity, offered by the University of Colorado, can help you promote diversity on your team.  

Learn more: 9 Alternatives to College

Start working toward a bachelor's degree

As you consider whether an accelerated bachelor's degree is right for you, weigh the potential benefits against the requirements it will take to earn one. As part of your research, take a look at the online bachelor's degree programs offered by established colleges and universities on Coursera, many of which offer accelerated bachelor's degrees.