Online Accelerated Degree Programs

Faster and Affordable Bachelor Degrees

Students looking for a faster and affordable alternative to brick-and-mortar education can pursue an accelerated bachelor's degree online. Accelerated bachelor's degrees hold the same value as traditional, four-year degrees. They also typically feature three-year completion times. But, accelerated programs are a big commitment since many students take a full course load each semester.

Accelerated programs vary between schools. This page covers basic information about accelerated bachelor's degrees. We also provide a list of popular online accelerated bachelor's degrees.

What is an Accelerated Degree?

Schools offer accelerated programs both on-campus and online. Earning an accelerated bachelor's degree online can benefit learners balancing school with work or family responsibilities. Many accelerated programs offer multiple start dates year-round. So, prospective students can begin classes anytime.

Accelerated degrees feature different program offerings. In single-degree programs, students focus on one course at a time. For dual-degree programs, students simultaneously pursue a bachelor's and master's degree.

Accelerated bachelor's degrees allow students to save money on tuition and enter the workforce sooner. However, students in accelerated programs may receive less financial aid.

Understanding Accelerated Degrees

Accelerated bachelor's degrees cover the same material as traditional bachelor's degrees but faster. Traditional bachelor's programs take four years to complete. Part-time learning takes even longer. Accelerated bachelor's programs, however, take 1-3 years to finish. Students with previous credits can earn their accelerated degree the fastest. Some accelerated programs require applicants to hold an associate degree or a certain number of college credits to enroll.

Students typically complete traditional bachelor's degrees over semesters. With only two semesters per year, these students spend more time on each course. Accelerated bachelor's programs offer classes on a quarter or term basis. Each quarter or term lasts 5-10 weeks, which means students learn more material sooner.

Typically, accelerated bachelor's degrees cost less than traditional bachelor's programs. Many accelerated bachelor's programs deliver all course content online. Earning a bachelor's degree online can benefit learners who need to balance work or family life. Some accelerated programs also offer blended course curricula. Students complete half of their coursework in person and half online.

Popular Online Accelerated Bachelor's Degrees

Many universities offer online accelerated bachelor's programs for qualified degree-seekers. Earning an accelerated bachelor's degree online can help students get ahead in their careers. The list below features a few of the many online bachelor's degrees available.

• Healthcare Administration

  A bachelor's degree in healthcare administration can prepare students for administrative and leadership roles. Settings include hospitals, insurance companies, public health agencies, and doctors' offices. Curricula focus on ethical, legal, and professional standards as they relate to current trends in healthcare. Courses might include health policy and law and evidence-based public health. Learners also study the impacts of the use of electronic health records.

  Medical and health services managers earn a $104,280 median annual salary.

• Information Technology

  Accelerated degrees in information technology include specializations in information management and information security and assurance. Other specializations include gaming design and web development. Specializations prepare students for technology-related careers. Examples include software developers and computer network architects. Still more titles include information security analysts and computer programmers.

  Computer network architects earn a $116,780 median annual salary. Computer programmers earn an $89,190 median annual salary.

  Typical information technology courses include cybersecurity, programming languages, and data analysis.

• Criminal Justice

  Criminal justice bachelor's degree graduates pursue careers in law enforcement, prisons, and cybercrime. Graduates also pursue homeland security, private investigations, and counterterrorism careers. Police officers and detectives earn a $67,290 median annual salary.

  Students with professional experience in law enforcement can apply their knowledge to an accelerated degree. Typical courses include criminal procedure and managing criminal justice organizations. An additional topic is applied criminal justice ethics.

• Business Administration

  A bachelor's degree in business administration prepares graduates for entry-level management positions. The degree can also help learners advance in marketing and accounting. Still other fields it can help in are finance and human resources. Students with prior professional experience can apply their knowledge to an accelerated degree.

  Typical courses include corporate finance, marketing research, information systems management, and project management. Human resources specialists earn a median annual salary of $63,490. Management analysts earn a median annual salary of $87,660.

• Accounting

  A bachelor's degree in accounting can help students find careers as public, management, or government accountants. Graduates may also work as auditors. The degree can also prepare students for finance-related roles. Examples include financial examiner, financial analyst, budget analyst, and finance manager. Typical courses include intermediate accounting, advanced accounting, federal taxation, and auditing principles.

  Accountants and auditors earn a $73,560 median annual salary.

• Nursing

  Graduates with a bachelor's degree in nursing often pursue careers as registered nurses. Registered nurses earn a median annual salary of $75,330. Graduates may also find careers as geriatric, OBGYN, travel, or neonatal nurses.

  Typical curricula include core courses in anatomy, pharmacology, and research and statistics. Students also take psychology, nursing informatics, leadership and management, and pathophysiology. Besides online coursework, many nursing programs require fieldwork in a hospital or clinic.

• Finance

  A bachelor's degree in finance helps graduates find careers as accountants and personal financial advisors. Other graduates become financial analysts. Graduates can also work as financial examiners or logisticians. Financial analysts earn a median annual salary of $83,660. Logisticians earn a $76,270 median annual salary.

  Degree-seekers can choose between concentrations in corporate finance, financial counseling, and investment management. Other concentrations include asset management and business analytics. Typical courses include economics, econometrics, statistics, and portfolio management.

• Education

  A bachelor's degree in education prepares graduates for careers as elementary and middle school teachers. Graduates can also become special education teachers. Graduates can also pursue careers as K-12 curriculum coordinators or education consultants. Elementary school teachers earn a $60,660 median annual salary.

  Typical courses include instructional strategies, group behavior, and child and human development. Other courses cover classroom management and curriculum creation and modification. Learners also take courses in student assessment and evaluation.

• Psychology

  Bachelor's in psychology graduates can find jobs as psychologists and mental health counselors. Some also become social workers. Graduates may qualify for roles such as human resources specialist or medical and health services manager. Social workers earn a median annual salary of $51,760. Psychologists earn an $82,180 median annual salary.

  Typical courses include social psychology, theories of personality, abnormal psychology, and research methods.

• Management

  Graduates with a bachelor's degree in management can pursue various careers. These include accounting, banking, and human resources. Specific job titles include financial manager, sales manager, and executive. Sales managers earn a median annual salary of $132,290. Top executives earn a $107,680 median annual salary.

  Typical courses include project management, financial concepts, and communication skills. Other coursework covers quantitative and qualitative decision-making and international business management.

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Additional Accelerated Degree Levels