Taking an accelerated bachelor’s degree online that is accredited by a reputable organization is one of the best ways to earn your degree and enter the workforce quickly and efficiently. In addition to saving you time and money, accelerated programs can help you earn your bachelor’s degree in a shorter amount of time.
In addition to this, taking courses online can serve as an excellent method of participating in college and university academic programs from a distance. If you have access to the internet, you can log on to online programs anywhere. This means you can attend classes in the comfort of your home or at a nearby coffee shop. The cost of transportation is also minimized when students take courses online.
However, it doesn’t mean these programs are right for everyone. They can be intense, packing a full term of material into a few short weeks. In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons so you can decide whether an accelerated bachelor’s degree online program is right for you.
Pros and Cons of Accelerated Degree Programs
An accelerated degree program works by fitting the information you need to learn into longer, more intense class sessions held over a shorter period than traditional programs. Accelerated programs can be held in person or online, allowing you to earn your bachelor’s degree in less than the usual four years it traditionally takes.
Pros
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- Programs take less time than traditional higher ed
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- Increased flexibility with online classes available asynchronously
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- Allows you to enter the workforce more quickly than traditional students
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- Saves money on college fees since you will be attending for less time
Cons
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- Increased time commitment may be difficult
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- Intense courses can be stressful
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- Fewer opportunities to connect with other students or professors
Pros and Cons of Earning Your Degree Online
An online degree can open up more opportunities for many students, but it’s not without its challenges.
Pros
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- Increased flexibility to attend classes wherever you have an internet connection
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- Less expensive because you do not have to travel to school several times a week
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- Courses are offered asynchronously or on demand, which means you can choose a time that is convenient for you
Cons
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- It can be more difficult to get to know professors and ask questions
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- Challenging to set up an in-person internship or other practical learning situations, such as student teaching
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- Unforeseen technical issues like equipment malfunctions or internet disruptions can create obstacles to attending classes and completing assignments on time
Are Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Programs Right for You?
Accelerated online bachelor’s programs make sense for students who are motivated and eager to finish their degree and have the time to spend on classwork and homework for these intensive programs. However, they may not work for those who have limited time or extensive commitments outside of school.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when determining if an accelerated online bachelor’s program is right for you:
- Do you need a flexible course schedule or asynchronous work?
- Do you already have some credits that will transfer over, either from an associate degree or military or work experience?
- Are you willing to do more work in a shorter amount of time in order to save money?
- How much time do you have to dedicate to your studies?
- What other commitments do you have, such as a job or a family?
- How will you carve out time to read, study, and complete assignments?
Why You Should Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree can lead to increased salary, lower unemployment rates, and higher job satisfaction. According to the government’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2023, individuals with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $594 more a week than those with just a high school diploma and $435 more than those with an associate’s degree. In addition, the unemployment rate for those with a bachelor’s degree was 2.2 percent, while for high school graduates, it was 3.9 percent.
Jobs open to those with a bachelor’s degree may also be more likely to offer opportunities for promotion compared to those available for persons who only have a high school diploma. As a result, you will have more opportunities to advance in your career and attain higher levels of responsibility and compensation. Certain fields, like teaching, require that individuals have a bachelor’s degree in order to obtain the professional credentials they need to be considered for positions.
Top Accelerated Online Bachelor’s Programs
Although more colleges and universities are offering accelerated online bachelor’s programs, a few excel at this type of study. They are well-suited for meeting the needs of students who wish to study in online accelerated programs. Here are a few that we recommend:
- Arizona State University. ASU allows qualifying students to earn a bachelor’s degree in three years instead of the traditional four. Online majors include accountancy, anthropology, and biochemistry, among others.
- Letourneau University. Some degree offerings at this school let you complete classes in as little as seven weeks for faster progression.
- The University of Oklahoma. OU offers an extensive selection of online bachelor’s degrees, and students can transfer up to 90 hours of college credit in some cases.
- Arkansas Tech University. ATU offers 39 online degree programs, including an accelerated degree in professional studies.
- Bellevue University. Bellevue University offers 25 online accelerated bachelor’s degree programs in a cohort-style format.
Interested in a degree instead?
Learn more about online degrees, their start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.