{"id":19381,"date":"2020-10-11T13:12:34","date_gmt":"2020-10-11T20:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/?p=19381"},"modified":"2020-12-29T12:13:55","modified_gmt":"2020-12-29T20:13:55","slug":"fastest-online-degree-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerkarma.com\/blog\/fastest-online-degree-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Fastest Online Degree Programs in 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Online learning continues to grow in popularity as more and more people take advantage of its ease and accessibility. Adult learners who are hesitant to seek further education and high school grads who are nervous to attend campus now have a viable option for higher education. Read on to learn more about the fastest online degree programs of 2020. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online learning <\/a>has quickly become a more than viable option for those who benefit from remote studies, even before 2020. In fact, a 2019 study conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics<\/a> reported that out of nearly 20 million college students in the country, almost seven million were engaged in distance learning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This may seem like a staggering figure. However, if you take a closer look at the reasons behind the shift to online education, you\u2019ll see why it is growing in popularity. You may even decide that it\u2019s right for you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Can Fast-Tracked Online Students Expect?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The ‘fastest’ program does not necessarily mean the easiest. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Although \u2018fastest\u2019 sounds great, you need to keep in mind that the fastest online education is not necessarily the easiest one or the one with the least work. That\u2019s an understandable and unfortunately widespread misconception. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, online programs are more robust and accommodating than ever. A huge bonus to online degrees, accelerated or otherwise, is that it involves a huge amount of self-paced, or asynchronous, learning. This basically translates to you doing work on your own time and setting your own schedule. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For someone swamped with a full-time job, a family to feed or other obligations, this should be a breath of fresh air. Earning an accelerated online bachelor\u2019s degree can get you out of the drudgery of everyday life and provide a re-established sense of direction towards career goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online Learning is Cost-Efficient<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A huge part of this significant shift to online learning over traditional on-campus programs is the cost. The traditional college experience is astoundingly expensive, even with scholarships<\/a> and financial aid. Earning a bachelor\u2019s degree and attending a traditional four-year college program with all the trimmings (dorms, dining plan, etc.) is a significant financial investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online learning offers a more cost-effective option for those hesitant to take such a financial plunge. No dorms, no food costs and no costly and time-consuming commutes. It doesn\u2019t cost anything to get out of bed and head to your computer. Even hybrid programs, where students complete coursework online and also engage in person with professors and students, offer a cheaper alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this isn\u2019t to say that online college is basically free. The cost still hits the thousands, but it isn’t through the roof when compared to how much many families spend on college tuition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Age Distribution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019d be surprised how many people above the age of 30 enroll and take part in online college courses. Students over the age of 30 make up a sizable chunk of online learners, with an average age of 32<\/a>. While many recent high school graduates jump right into online learning, they make up a smaller portion of the distanced learning population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top 5 Fastest Online Degree Programs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Now that we have some background, let\u2019s dig into some notable college programs and accelerated courses that can lead to degrees in as little as 12 months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The online courses below are those that allow for accelerated degrees, transfer credits and fast-tracked programs to get you certified or graduated in a short amount of time. That may translate to you cramming more difficult subjects in a short amount of time when other students may have twice the amount of time to complete them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Linfield College<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Located in McMinnville, Oregon, Linfield College is a windfall for many students. It is one of the many colleges and institutions that actually offer students college credit for having experience in a prior subject. This opens up a ton of potential for people who are hesitant about starting a degree after seeing the list of required credits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of Linfield College\u2019s fastest degrees include majors like: <\/p>\n\n\n\n