subject: Life In The Fast Lane: Speeding Up Your College Degree! [print this page] Most people decide to go back to college because of how much getting a degree can improve their career and boost their income. The faster returning students can complete that degree, the quicker they can be on their way to more money, a potential promotion or a new job. Colleges online allow students to move as fast (or as slow) as they need to through a degree program.
Many professionals looking to earn a degree, choose online college because of the flexibility. Online students can set their own schedule, attend lectures and complete assignments on their time. This makes it possible to hold down a job and spend time with family while attending school. Of course this freedom means the student has to be disciplined enough to stay on top of the course work. If you need more information about online college degree programs, look on the internet.
Since online college allows the student to go at their own pace, some students complete their degrees in less time. You can take as many or as few classes as you want. If you can handle the heavy course load, you may be able to complete your degree in two years instead of the usual four.
There are also accelerated online degree programs. In an accelerated program the information is presented in a condensed time period. The student may take one or two classes instead of several classes simultaneously. This really speeds up the process. A bachelors degree can be finished in two years and a masters in a year or 18 months instead of two to three years.
There are also ways to make your work and life experience earn you college credit. The College Level Examination Program, CLEP, allows students to get college credit for what they already know. If you pass the test, you can earn between three and 12 college credits. Twelve credits is equal to one semester at college. And since the CLEP test costs $72, that's quite a deal compared to a semester of tuition. There is an abundance of information about schools online on the web.
Some colleges offer class credit to working professionals allowing them to skip the introductory courses in their field of study. A business school in Minnesota offers undergraduate business course credits to students with professional marketing experience. That puts these students well on their way to earning a business degree and cuts down their time in class.
Professional students who want to go back to school have a financial aid option not available to traditional students. Some companies offer tuition reimbursement programs. That means your company pays for part or all of the cost of your education. There are also programs that offer employees a discount on college tuition. Your employer may be encouraged to foot the bill for your degree if it will make you a more valuable and productive worker.
