Finding an accelerated program in your field of study requires research. First, you must decide if you want to attend a university or take the courses from home. Some universities offer accelerated programs on-site as well as online, while others offer only one or the other. The time frame of the program is also important if you want to finish your degree by a certain date. Research universities, then compare their programs in regard to content, accreditation, cost and the number of students who successfully finish; the answers will help you decide which school is best for you.
The completion time for accelerated degrees varies, depending on your major. For instance, DePaul University offers a one-year, accelerated program to obtain a master of science degree in public service management. More specialized degree programs, such as Creighton University's accelerated nursing program, have a one- to three-year completion time, because of the amount of medical knowledge a student must retain.
Online accelerated degree programs allow students to work at their own pace, perhaps from remote locations, and schedule study hours around their work schedules. The fast pace of accelerated programs means that students will finish school and enter the job force more rapidly than traditional students. Also, because accelerated students obtain a degree in a shorter time, they also can decrease the overall amount of student loans they must repay.
Accelerated degree programs must condense information into a briefer time span than traditional programs. This means that speed is the focus of the curriculum. If you are a fast learner, this could be a great thing; however, grasping complex concepts or terms, such as in an accelerated nursing program, might prove challenging when you are rushed to learn them.