While most colleges do not have a rule specifying the age of accelerated program participants, these programs are generally intended for, and most commonly populated with, adult learners. Accelerated program participants benefit from shared mutual experiences that they would not have in common with traditional college-age students. The similarity in age among students helps the adult learners feel at ease as they are surrounded by people of similar circumstances.
Accelerated programs often offer students the opportunity to complete the courses at a more rapid rate than traditionally possible by shortening the courses. At Notre Dame, for example, accelerated-program students take part in classes that run between five and seven weeks, much shorter than the standard college course.
Students who participate in an accelerated college program often follow a pre-designed program. This structure takes the guesswork out of scheduling for courses by clearly laying out the track that must be followed for program completion. This feature can make scheduling easier, as some colleges simply automatically enroll accelerated students in their next set of courses, saving the learner the hassle of reviewing requirements, selecting courses and dealing with full class sections.
Because many of the participants in accelerated programs are working professionals, the scheduling is generally flexible, with night and weekend classes commonly offered. This is highly beneficial to participants, as it allows them to complete their education without disrupting the work schedule. For many adult learners, traditional daytime classes are not a possibility, as their schedule has them otherwise engaged during these hours.
The emphasis in most accelerated college programs is on career preparation. To accomplish this goal, accelerated programs offer students real-world experience and hands-on training options. Accelerated program participants learn material that can often be directly applied to their professional life, adding relevance to their educational experience.