How Quickly Can You Get A Degree?
Once upon a time, there was a set schedule for getting your college diploma – two years for an Associates degree and four years for a BA or BS – however, times have changed.
Traditional two and four year programs are costly, and even with financial aid, the sticker price is more than many students can afford. And add to that the growing number of potential students who need to balance the challenges of work and family responsibilities along with their academic commitments. For a lot of college candidates, these hurdles turn a college diploma into the impossible dream. However, there are options for those folks who are willing to step “out of the box” and explore some innovative programs.
A growing number of today’s institutions of higher learning are rising to the challenge and have streamlined their programs to help students get their degrees quicker, and without compromising academic standards. On
line colleges and universities have developed degree programs offering a wide menu of options to fit the most demanding schedules. Online resources like Top-Colleges offer excellent overviews of these schools and their curriculum. If you think one of these programs might be right for you, do your on-line homework and take some virtual tours.
But how long does it actually take to get that diploma? Well, it depends. But there are ways to get a jump-start toward earning that degree:
• Do you have any previous college credits that you can transfer?
• Many colleges and universities will consider awarding credits for life and work experience, so make sure you check for those options.
• The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is one way to receive college credits for previous course work, on-the-job training, internships or independent study. These tests are administered for a modest fee – and you might be surprised to discover how much you already know.
Of course, the more time and focus you can give your academic program, the quicker you will progress toward your goal. It is important to do your research and explore various program options. Many online colleges offer intensive courses that take a semester’s worth of work and pack it into a matter of weeks. With smart planning and hard work, the path to a diploma can be a lot shorter than in days of yore.
Filed in: Campuses & Programs.
I must admit I do not find this article to be helpful. The title implies that the reader is going to find a new way to get a degree in less time. However, all that one learns from this is that there are on-line degrees, which, I think is making its way into the realm of common knowledge at this point. Also, it seems obvious that if you take more classes each semester you will graduate faster. The only thing I did not know about, which I suppose makes this article helpful to a degree, is the College-Level-Examination Program. That, I’m sure, would be useful to many older prospective college students who have more experience than a younger student fresh out of highschool.