Accelerated Bachelor Degree Online Programs

I’ve seen advertisements for accelerated bachelor degree online programs… but what exactly are they?

They’re a way to earn your bachelor’s degree through distance-learning methods, at a faster than usual pace.  Typically, a bachelor’s degree takes four years to accomplish, through on-campus, classroom based learning.  Through an accelerated program, you can earn your bachelor’s degree much more quickly.

So how does the “accelerated” part work?

Accelerated programs use various methods to speed the process of earning your degree.  One way is by taking accelerated classes.  These classes can be anywhere from six to eight weeks long.  They encompass the same amount of information, but condense it into a much shorter time period.  While accelerated classes are faster, they also require you to do more in less time.  However, they cut out unnecessary extras, too.  Accelerated bachelor degree online programs also sometimes use other tactics to help you earn credits faster, like taking exams for credit (such as CLEP tests) or doing prior learning assessments.

What makes accelerated bachelor degree online programs so different from just taking accelerated or distance-learning courses as part of a regular degree?

Basically, accelerated bachelor degree online programs save you the trouble of trying to piece together your degree at a faster pace, on your own.  While most colleges offer some accelerated courses, and some online courses, they aren’t focused on you getting your degree quickly.  Some required courses may not be offered in an accelerated format, and some courses may not be offered in any online format at all.  Other times, you may have to wait a semester between courses to take the next required course.  With accelerated bachelor degree online programs, that doesn’t happen, because all the courses you need are available online, in condensed form, when you need them.

Many such programs offer courses which are always available and can be started any time, so you can schedule and pace yourself.