If you said to yourself, "I am going to finish my bachelor's degree this year," or your goal is to earn a graduate degree, now is the time to consider enrolling in an online degree program. Making the most of available resources can help you get there faster and start enjoying the benefits sooner.
For a deeper look at how to finish your degree online, continue reading. Or, if you already know that you are ready to move forward, check out Bay Path University's undergraduate degree programs and graduate degree programs.
What “Finishing Your Degree Quickly” Really Means
Whether you’re a transfer student hoping to finish your undergraduate degree online or a working professional looking to earn your graduate degree without pausing your career, you're probably eager to get there as quickly as possible. Here's a look at how to finish your degree fast without minimizing its value.
It’s About Efficiency — Not Cutting Corners
Colleges and universities have created versatile pathways for modern learners, designed to accelerate degree programs without compromising academic integrity or outcomes. Transfer students may be able to apply previously earned credits to new undergraduate degree programs, helping them finish their degree in a shorter amount of time. Graduate students, meanwhile, may choose flexible college programs that offer a fast-track curriculum.
Your Timeline Depends on Your Starting Point
The exact timeline to complete your bachelor's degree or finish your graduate degree online depends on where you’re starting from. Credits you've already earned, or prior learning experience you may be able to apply, can meaningfully shorten your path to completion.
7 Practical Ways to Finish Your Degree Faster
Many adult learners value speed, as it opens the door to early advancement opportunities and increased earning potential. These are a few practical ways that you can complete a degree as quickly as possible:
1. Transfer Previously Earned Credits
Credits that you earned years ago, or in an entirely different program, can potentially be applied to your current degree program. As you explore options for how to finish college faster, work closely with academic advisors to review your previous coursework and determine what transfers. They can walk you through transfer student admissions and help you map out the most efficient way forward.
2. Choose an Online or Flexible Program
Flexible programs, such as degree completion programs and accelerated degrees, are designed for modern learners who are managing responsibilities outside the classroom. If you are a working professional or a parent returning to college, an online or flexible degree program may be your best fit.
3. Take Accelerated or Short-Term Courses
Accelerated courses offer a compressed syllabus, letting students complete the same amount of coursework in a shorter amount of time. These short-term courses allow you to finish your degree faster, but they also require precision and expert time management. Students in accelerated courses should leverage available technology and work closely with faculty members to successfully navigate the course.
4. Enroll Year-Round
Even in online degree programs, students can choose between traditional spring and fall semesters or year-round learning. When you enroll year-round, you can continue working toward your degree requirements and finish sooner than expected. Academic advisors can help you carefully select classes to support accelerated degree progression.
5. Maximize Credit for Prior Learning
Prior learning credits have been used by colleges and universities for decades. They recognize the knowledge and skills acquired through professional roles and experiences outside the classroom environment. To find out if you qualify, you may have to complete a prior learning assessment.
6. Take a Full (or Strategic) Course Load
If possible, consider enrolling in a full course load. Taking at least 12 credits or more per semester may streamline your degree timeline. Of course, you will want to consider your existing responsibilities, such as your work schedule or family commitments.
7. Work With an Academic Advisor
Colleges and universities offer a range of academic resources to help students succeed throughout their college journey. Academic advising is one of the most valuable resources available, giving you personalized support as you plan out your degree progress and determine which courses best support your academic goals.
Tips to Stay Efficient Without Sacrificing Quality
Progressing at a rapid pace requires dedication and discipline. In accelerated degree programs, you are more likely to succeed when you:
Build a Realistic Schedule
At the end of the day, you have to know your personal limits. While taking a full course load will help you earn your degree in the shortest amount of time, it may not be realistic if you are also working full-time or balancing family commitments. You should carefully consider your availability and enroll in the number of courses that you can successfully complete without causing burnout.
Stay Organized and Consistent
Organization is key in online degree programs, as you need to create your own schedule to watch pre-recorded lectures, complete readings and submit assignments. Many online students find that building a consistent routine helps them stay organized and focused.
Focus on Skill Development — Not Just Completion
It's easy to get tunnel vision about completing required courses, but the skills you build along the way are part of the journey. The practical, technical and interpersonal competencies you develop can be put to use immediately, both in your career and beyond.
Use Available Support Resources
Enrolling in a school that offers student support services and academic resources can help you succeed in your accelerated degree program. Common support resources include:
- Academic advising
- Tutoring
- Career services support
- Mental health services
Finishing Your Degree Online vs. On Campus
Modern students who are balancing work alongside their studies can choose between online degree programs and on-campus programs. The ideal learning experience depends on your location, availability and personal learning style.
Benefits of Finishing Your Degree Online
When you finish your degree online, you can enjoy greater flexibility. Working professionals and parents who are returning to school often find online degree programs appealing, as they use synchronous and asynchronous learning, or both.
When On-Campus May Be a Better Fit
An on-campus program may appeal to you if you enjoy the traditional classroom environment and find that in-person interaction enhances your learning experience. A traditional degree program may also better support hands-on skill development, particularly for fields that involve lots of in-person interactions.
How Long Does It Take to Finish a Degree?
The timeframe to finish your degree will depend heavily on several factors, including your existing credits, prior learning experience, desired program and available pathways. After considering your individual circumstances, an academic advisor can provide you with more detailed information about your estimated degree completion timeline.
Bachelor’s Degree Completion
A bachelor's degree typically requires 120 credits. With full-time study, it takes about four years to complete the program. The National Center for Education Statistics notes that about 44% of students complete their bachelor's degree in four years, but transfer students who have previously earned credits may finish undergraduate degree requirements sooner. In addition, some schools offer accelerated programs or degree completion programs that take two years or less to complete.
Graduate Degree Completion
The amount of time it takes to earn a graduate degree varies by program type, with master's degree programs taking between one and two years and doctoral degree programs taking up to six years to complete. Fast-track degree programs may be available at the graduate level, but program types vary by school.
Is Now the Right Time to Finish Your Degree?
If any of the following apply to you, now may be the best time to earn or complete your degree:
You Already Have Credits
If you previously completed college coursework, then you may have transfer credits that you can apply to your degree. Previously earned credits can help you complete prerequisite requirements and shorten the duration of your program.
You Want Career Advancement
When you are focused on getting to the next level in your career, or you’re considering a career change, finishing your degree can support those professional goals. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that higher educational credentials can have a significant impact on someone’s career trajectory and earning potential.
Unemployment rates decrease among professionals with advanced degrees, with the unemployment rate for doctoral degree holders resting at about 1.2%. Meanwhile, salary levels tend to increase. The median weekly earnings of those with a bachelor's degree are about $1,500, while the median weekly earnings of those with a master's degree are about $1,800.
You Need Flexibility
Returning to college as an adult doesn't mean spending endless hours in a classroom or being stuck with a rigid schedule. There are many accelerated and degree completion programs offered in an online format, allowing you to create your own schedule and find balance.
Take the Next Step Toward Finishing Your Degree With Bay Path
Whether you are hoping to earn your bachelor's degree or believe that a master's degree will elevate your career trajectory, finishing your degree online is entirely within reach. Bay Path University offers both undergraduate and graduate online degree programs, letting you complete a degree while managing your existing commitments. We also offer on-campus degree options at our locations in Massachusetts.
Request more information about our undergraduate degree programs or graduate degree programs, and find out how easy it can be to complete your degree.
