Accelerated Master’s Degrees: How to Get Your Master’s Degree Fast

A master’s degree can help you advance in your professional career. In some cases, a master’s is a minimum requirement for jobs in certain fields. An accelerated master’s degree can speed up the process of gaining the required qualifications, meaning you can complete the same amount of graduate courses in a shorter amount of time. 

This article details all you need to know about how to get your master’s degree fast so you can get started on your dream career. There is an enormous range of full-time study, part-time study, and online study options to consider. We break down some of the best accelerated master’s degrees and study options to get you started in your graduate career.

What Is an Accelerated Master’s Degree? 

Accelerated master’s programs are fast-track degree options for motivated students that save you time and money on the average cost of attendance. It allows exceptional students to study for a bachelor’s and master’s degree simultaneously. Most are a one-year accelerated master’s degree program. However, some listed in this article take up to 18 months to complete.

Whether you are applying for a standard graduate application or a one-year accelerated master’s degree program, there are application requirements, undergraduate degree requirements, and program requirements that you should make sure to check. An accelerated master’s degree option can allow you to speed up your career planning and enter the job market a lot sooner. 

How Fast Can You Get a Master’s Degree?

A traditional master’s degree will take two years to complete. Dual programs allow you to complete the degree in half the time. You could do your undergraduate degree and, with an accelerated option, complete hours of graduate coursework concurrently with your bachelor’s degree.

What Jobs Can You Get with an Accelerated Master’s Degree?

• Engineering Manager. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for engineering managers is growing at four percent and the average salary per year is $149,530. You will need to get a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management if this is your dream career.
• Computer and Information Research Scientist. You will need a Master’s Degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering for this position. According to BLS, the job outlook is 22 percent which is much faster than average and the average salary is $126,830 per year.
• Human Resources Manager. BLS shows a median salary of $121,220 for these professionals, and the job outlook is growing at nine percent. This role requires a Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Labor Relations, or Business Administration.
• Public Relations Managers. According to BLS, public relations managers have an average salary of $118,430 per year with a job outlook of 13 percent. You will need to achieve a Master’s Degree in Public Administration for this role.
• Chief Information Security Officer. BLS records the average salary for chief information security officers at $107,680 per year, and the job outlook is eight percent. It would require a Master’s Degree in Cyber Security.

How We Ranked the Best Accelerated Master’s Degrees

We looked at a wide range of schools that offered online and in-person attendance, cost of attendance, student-to-staff ratios, and graduation rates. The ones listed in this guide are our take on the best available fast-track master’s programs when looking at all these factors. 

The Best Master’s Accelerated Degrees in 2022

The Best Fast-Track Master’s Degrees in 2022, Explained

There is an enormous range of accelerated master’s degrees to choose from and the process of deciding which one to pursue can feel overwhelming. Whichever graduate student program you choose will ultimately depend on your interest and your dream career path. Our list below outlines several great one-year master’s programs to get you started. 

Master of Science in Instructional Design and Learning Technology (MS) | Anderson University

• Location: Online only
• Online Option: Yes
• Tuition Per Credit: $680 in-state, $680 out-of-state 
• Required Time: 1 year

Anderson University is a private university in South Carolina. Program students learn how to design and develop learning courses with the student at the center of the learning experience. Graduates of this accelerated master’s degree program can go on to pursue careers in corporate training and curriculum design. 

Master of Science in Computer Science (MS) | Arkansas State University

• Location: Jonesboro, AR
• Online Option: Yes
• Tuition Per Credit: $356 in-state, $633 out-of-state
• Required Time: 18 to 20 months

Arkansas State University is a public research university that allows high-achieving undergraduate students to participate in accelerated master’s programs. The admissions process for this course involves a minimum of 18 undergraduate level hours in computer science, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a statement of education and career goals. 

Chemistry Bachelor of Science (BS) to Master of Science (MS) Program | Central Washington University

• Location: Ellensburg, WA
• Online Option: Yes
• Tuition Per Credit: $336 in-state, $788 out-of-state
• Required Time: 1 year

Central Washington University is a public university that offers an accelerated option for chemistry from Bachelor of Science to Master of Science, which requires only one extra year of college attendance after graduating with your bachelor’s degree. To graduate with your master’s within five academic years, students are encouraged to take at least 15 graduate classes in their senior year. 

Master of Science in Civil or Environmental Engineering (MS) | Cleveland State University

• Location: Cleveland, OH
• Online Option: Yes
• Tuition Per Credit: $579 in-state, $991 out-of-state
• Required Time: 1 year

Cleveland State University is a public research university that has a one-year master’s program. The MS in Civil or Environmental Engineering is a one-year accelerated master’s degree that allows students to complete their undergraduate program and graduate studies within five years. 

Bachelor to Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Pathway or Combined Program Option for Current FSU Undergraduates (MA) | Frostburg State University

• Location: Frostburg, MD
• Online Option: Yes
• Tuition Per Credit: $446 in-state, $574 out-of-state
• Required Time: 1 year

Frostburg State University is a public university that offers an accelerated master’s program for students that have completed their undergraduate study in any major. The university has a 17-to-one student-faculty ratio and offers 47 undergraduate majors and 14 graduate programs.

Master of Science in Data Science (MS) | Michigan Technological University

• Location: Houghton, MI
• Online Option: No
• Tuition Per Credit: $1,343 in-state, $1,343 out-of-state
• Required Time: 1 year 

Michigan Technological University is a public research university that has a wide range of one-year accelerated master’s degree program topics on offer. The data science accelerated graduate program allows students to complete their undergraduate courses and graduate levels in five years of full-time study. 

Master of Business Administration with a Concentration in Data Analytics (MBA) | Southeastern Oklahoma University

• Location: Online only
• Online Option: Yes
• Tuition Per Credit: $337 in-state, $337 out-of-state
• Required Time: 1 year

Southeastern Oklahoma University is a public university that has several accelerated master of business administration degrees both on-campus and entirely online. The university is ranked one of the most affordable colleges to offer business administration degrees in the US. Any graduate student from out-of-state is reimbursed for the difference between out-of-state and in-state fees.

Master of Arts in Teaching with a Specialization in Special Education (MAT) | University of North Carolina at Pembroke

• Location: Pembroke, NC
• Online Option: Yes
• Tuition Per Credit: $237 in-state, $935 out-of-state
• Required Time: 14 to 20 months

The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is a public university that boasts a wide range of pathways to achieving your education degree requirements. There is an 18-to-one student to faculty ratio. They offer a fast-track degree program in teaching, with graduate-level courses in special education which can be completed in 30 hours completely online. 

Master of Science in Advanced Data Analytics (MS) | University of North Texas

• Location: Online Only 
• Online Option: Yes
• Tuition Per Credit: $541 in-state, $606 out-of-state
• Required Time: 1-2 years 

The University of North Texas is a public research university that offers accelerated eight-week online courses in advanced data analytics. Majoring students can complete the 30-credit hour degree in one year. 

Master of Accountancy (MSA) | Western Carolina University

• Location: Asheville, NC
• Online Option: Yes
• Tuition Per Credit: $270 in-state, $849 out-of-state
• Required Time: 1 year

Western Carolina University is a public university that permits exceptional students with an undergraduate major in accounting from AACSB accredited schools to join the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s track. These students are permitted to take selected graduate-level courses during their senior year. 

Should You Get an Accelerated Master’s Degree?

Yes, if you can cope with the additional coursework requirements, you should take advantage of the cost savings and the fast-track to earning a master’s degree in your field of study. There are a wide range of affordable one-year master’s degree programs to consider. If you are currently a college student, speak with your undergraduate advisor about your accelerated master’s degree options.

If a college or university degree is not for you, perhaps you should try looking at bootcamps. They offer valuable education and training in various technical fields, and the best ones even offer valuable career services. Many people opt for bootcamp education instead of graduate school to achieve their career goals. 

Accelerated Master’s Degrees FAQ