How Long Does it Take to Earn a Degree Online?
A common question students have when they want to earn a degree is how long it will take them to complete it. Beyond being a natural concern, it’s also a good question to ask since earning a bachelor’s degree, typically referred to as a 4-year degree, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s 2016 study, can often take over 5 years.
Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer for how long it will take to earn a degree. It depends on the program you choose, on your personal circumstances, and whether or not your college or university uses accelerated learning. Here are some ways you can estimate how quickly you might move through a degree program.
First, Do You Already Have Any College Credits?
You could progress quicker through a college degree program if you’ve already completed some college or have degree credits from high school or military service. Check with your university if your credits will be accepted and if so, how many. Not all institutes of higher learning accept all credits. See how the credits you bring with you will affect your degree program.
At What Pace Will Your University Teach?
You might think that all universities are the same and it doesn’t matter where you go, you will earn a degree at the same rate. But if you want a traditional college experience, it comes with the traditional college pace.
However, there are other options, such as accelerated-pace schools. These colleges and universities are geared towards students who have other responsibilities, such as a job or a family. They know students want to move ahead in their career goals and don’t have the time to spend taking long breaks and even longer semesters.
Some accelerated schools, such as ECPI University, focus their education and teach in 5-week terms, instead of 16-week semesters. Students take two classes at a time, and go to school year round. This allows students to move through their program faster and earn their degree while students at traditional colleges are ranked as college juniors.
What Will Life Throw at You?
It’s often difficult to return to class when something derails you, but you have to be prepared for life to throw you a curve ball here and there. If you stop taking classes, even for the most understandable reasons, it will cause your program to become longer. If you miss a 16-week semester, you can imagine that you will be a lot further behind than if you miss a 5-week term.
How Dedicated Are You?
If you are not really motivated to earn a degree or not really interested in the topic you’re studying, you will inevitably run into problems when the grind hits you and you have entirely too much work to do and too little time. Earning a degree is difficult no matter where you earn it. Make sure that the obstacle to you earning your degree isn’t you.
Are you interested in earning a bachelor’s degree and don’t want to wait 5.8 years to do it? ECPI University’s Zero to Bachelor in 2.5 Years might be right for you. If you want to find out more about accelerated learning, connect with a helpful admissions counselor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
For more information about ECPI University or any of our programs click here: http://www.ecpi.edu/ or http://ow.ly/Ca1ya.