Have you ever considered enrolling in a fast-track degree program? When you’re young, deciding what you want to do with the rest of your life can be challenging.
With so many options available, it’s impossible to settle on just one career path. Education can be expensive, but fortunately, plenty of great programs allow you to earn your degree in less time.
That’s why going the fast-track degree route and getting an accelerated education could make sense for you. The main benefit is you could graduate with less debt and enjoy the benefits of your advanced education sooner.
A fast-track degree allows you to complete your bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fewer years than it would typically take. For instance, a fast-track degree can enable students to finish a degree in two years instead of four.
What is a fast-track program?
A fast-track degree program allows students to earn their degrees in less time. Generally, it combines an accelerated course load with a condensed curriculum to enable you to graduate in two or three years rather than four.
Fast-track degrees are ideal for students who want to enter the workforce quickly or pursue advanced degrees, such as attending law school. They are great for working professionals and people with children.
Fast-track degrees typically cover the same material as other programs but provide more opportunities for internships, research projects and study abroad experiences.
If this interests you, consider taking advantage of Elmhurst University’s accelerated BSN online program. Their program will enable you to complete your Bachelor’s degree in Nursing in 16 months.
The program’s design prepares you to take on the role of a professional nurse while providing opportunities for diverse educational and experiential learning.
Additionally, it will equip you with the proper knowledge and experience to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). That way, you’ll be ready for clinical practice upon graduation.
12 significant advantages of fast-track courses
Have you ever wished to go back and do something over or maybe get it done faster? If you’re like most people, the answer to both questions is likely yes.
If this sounds like you, a fast-track degree could be right for you. Here are 10 reasons why:
It takes less time
One of the benefits of choosing a fast-track degree is that it will take less time to complete. Students who do not have the luxury of taking a long time to complete their studies may find this appealing.
A lot of students are balancing studying with working or looking after family members, so being able to complete a course in a shorter amount of time can make life easier.
For example, if you have an undergraduate degree in science and want to earn your master’s degree in business or engineering, it may take little time to complete either degree.
It’s also possible to undertake some postgraduate degrees on a fast-track basis, which you can usually complete within 12 months. This flexibility in completion time makes fast-track degrees attractive to people who work full-time and want to attend university simultaneously.
These students can either study from home or use distance education technology such as video conferencing. This option could be ideal if they can keep up with their studies while continuing to work.
If a student wants to complete a degree but doesn’t have enough time because they are juggling other commitments, then pursuing a fast-track degree could be the answer.
It involves intensive learning
Fast-track degrees allow students to learn intensively, which is why they typically have shorter degree programs. Many of these courses are delivered in an accelerated and condensed manner, meaning that the workload is high, and the pace is quick.
However, the skills learned during this period will set you up nicely for your career as you’ll be able to apply knowledge more quickly in a fast-paced environment than if you had studied it over two or three years at a slower pace.
It’s also worth noting that many employers prefer candidates who have earned a fast-track degree because they know they can be relied on to complete tasks quickly.
For example, a nursing student could study all aspects of nursing within 16 months rather than take four years. They learn intensively throughout the course, which equips them with the skills needed to work in a faster-paced environment.
Graduates with fast-track degrees may even go straight into higher-level positions than those from traditional programs. This is because institutions tailor their education to meet the needs of the student’s chosen profession.
It enables you to achieve personal goals faster
When you enroll in a fast-track degree program, you can accelerate your studies and graduate faster. In doing so, you’ll be able to pursue a more advanced degree sooner and start working in the field sooner than those who study at a more leisurely pace.
Some students find it hard to make time for their classes when they work full-time or have other commitments outside their academic life. However, a fast-track degree program may be easier to handle because courses are condensed into shorter terms with the busy student in mind.
This flexibility will allow you to focus more on your personal goals and achieve them faster. Furthermore, you could use this new knowledge to change careers within the same industry if that’s something that appeals to you.
By choosing a fast-track degree program, you’ll give yourself many more options instead of limiting yourself to just one career path based on years of school attendance.
It offers numerous networking opportunities
Networking is essential to success in any field because it opens the door to potential opportunities that might not exist otherwise. A fast-track degree gives you an advantage over your peers by opening up doors and connections that would have been closed otherwise.
Since most fast-track programs occur online, you will access online forums where professionals share their best practices, insights and advice on topics relevant to your course of study. You will also meet others with similar career aspirations who could become valuable networking contacts.
Additionally, fast-track degrees allow you to work one-on-one with experts. These experts can provide invaluable guidance on what direction they feel best suits you and how long it will take you to reach your goals.
This accessibility to mentors means you can make mistakes without too much worry or consequence, which prepares you for real-world errors.
It gives you more time to decide on a career
What’s the best way to figure out what you want to do with your life? Many people take time off before returning to school, but others feel they don’t have the luxury of doing so.
It’s always good to go into college knowing what you want to do with your life, but sometimes life throws us curve-balls and we need some flexibility. A fast-track degree is perfect if you’re not sure what career path you want to take, and it’s also great because it gives you more time to decide on your career.
For instance, if you’ve been struggling in math all semester and now realize that you don’t want to major in engineering, a fast-track program would allow you to change course so your grades can improve next semester.
A fast-track degree can give students more time to decide on their careers and find schools that suit their needs. For example, if someone wants to study nursing, attending an institution with medical facilities nearby would make sense to gain hands-on experience in this field.
However, many prospective students are unaware of how to make these decisions or don’t know where to start. The good news is that a fast-track degree program is less stressful since you’ll be enrolled full-time as soon as possible.
If you’re considering a career change, enrolling in such a program will allow you to try something new without delaying it for too long.
You can start your career sooner
For many people, kickstarting a career as soon as possible is paramount. Starting your career early in your youth could mean you have more time to earn money and save for retirement than those who wait until their 30s or 40s.
It could also mean that you are less likely to need to work full-time when you are older if you have built up enough savings from earlier on in life. Graduating with an accelerated degree can take two years instead of three.
Doing so will put you in the job market sooner, allowing you to gain experience before entering the workforce entirely.
Not only does this give you more opportunity to find employment, but it also means you won’t necessarily be struggling with student debt while trying to find employment after graduating.
It produces better results
An accelerated degree will allow you to graduate with more experience and skills than someone who takes the standard four years. The fast-track degree option provides you with the same credits as a traditional degree but in less time.
While studying these programs, the educators offer coursework and mentoring opportunities. Students get hands-on experience with research or teaching techniques, which is invaluable when entering the workforce.
Many students find that they have a greater interest in one particular field and may choose to narrow their focus by taking an accelerated degree program with a specific concentration. This specialization option will enable you to pursue your passion and help employers identify the areas where you excel.
For instance, if you are interested in environmental engineering, you can take specialized courses on this topic and gain some practical experience. Moreover, these classes will give you an advantage over other job-hunting graduates because you’ll know what employers want.
Lower cost than traditional programs
Fast-track degrees are less expensive than traditional programs, which means you can get your degree in less time and with less money. With a fast-track degree program, there’s no need to pay for tuition during summer breaks, which gives many students more time to earn money.
Most courses are offered at a fraction of the price, and you can save tens of thousands over four years by taking just one or two classes per semester. There’s also no need to take on any debt to enroll, as most institutions offer scholarships, grants, loans and work-study programs.
There’s also no need to worry about housing costs since most students who participate in these programs live at home while studying. A fast-track degree can reduce costs, including transportation, food, books, supplies and equipment.
This option is worth considering if you have limited financial resources because it offers significant economic benefits without compromising on quality or prestige.
Taking advantage of new technology
Fast-track degrees are perfect for those who want to take advantage of new technology and gain an edge in the job market. The increasing availability of online courses from reputable universities has made this option more widely available.
When pursuing these courses, students utilize various technologies such as Skype or Google Hangouts to communicate with professors. Additionally, you can submit assignments electronically.
If you have a computer or mobile device connecting you to the internet, you can access your course 24/7. You don’t need to set aside time at home to get your work done when there is always access at your fingertips.
It’s also easier to balance schoolwork and life outside of school because it’s all happening virtually instead of face-to-face, as in traditional schooling.
You can study across multiple universities at once
Fast-track degrees allow students to study at multiple universities, either simultaneously or consecutively. This will allow you to take courses and credits from different institutions and graduate in the same amount of time.
For example, if you are interested in studying business administration but are unsure which school best suits your needs, you could enroll in a fast-track degree program that combines schools.
By combining the resources of these two schools, your degree would have more flexibility than if it had been offered by one university alone. Additionally, you can use this opportunity to explore different universities before settling on one for an extended duration.
Enhance your academic credentials
A fast-track degree is perfect for those looking to enhance their academic credentials. Enhancing your academic credentials means adding more credits or degrees to your existing ones.
If you have an undergraduate degree and are now returning to school, you can earn a master’s, doctorate or specialist’s degree. These options can lead to career advancement and more job opportunities in the future.
For instance, if you have a Bachelor of Science in Biology and want to become a geneticist, you could take many different routes. One would be earning another Bachelor of Science in Genetics with specialized training in molecular biology.
Another option would be earning your Ph.D. with specialized training in molecular biology. Obtaining a doctoral degree means you will have extensive genetics and molecular biology knowledge. It means you’ll be able to find employment as a professor, researcher or scientist specializing in genetics and molecular biology.
A Ph.D. also offers a competitive edge when applying for other jobs because it demonstrates expertise in this field of study.
An online fast-track degree gives you flexibility
Fast-track degrees are perfect for people who have full-time jobs and still want to earn a degree. These programs allow you to complete your degree in less time while working full-time.
Some schools also offer courses that can help you keep up with what’s going on in your industry or teach new skills that will prepare you for an even better job. That way, you don’t have to quit your day job or change careers to pursue an education.
As a bonus, you can plan your schedule around these classes, which is great if you’re someone who likes to do things at their own pace and with little outside distractions. For example, accounting courses during tax season may make sense if you work as an accountant.
Similarly, if you work as a nurse, taking nursing courses during hospital shifts may make sense when there are fewer interruptions from other staff members.
This flexibility helps students stay motivated and engaged throughout their studies because they know they’ll soon be able to put what they’ve learned into practice.
Final thoughts
A fast-track degree is a great way to speed up the pace of your education and get on with your career. It can also help you save money and make it easier to find employment in today’s competitive job market.
With an accelerated degree, students will have more time to explore careers and other educational opportunities during their undergraduate studies. Students who pursue accelerated degrees will feel as if they are accomplishing something quickly, which may lead them to pursue further academic goals.
A fast-track program could be perfect if you want to enter the workforce quickly or if life has already forced you to work full-time while trying to finish your degree at night or online.