Distance learning programs can be as short as six weeks. Coastal Carolina Community College offers a program called "Ed2Go," which offers 12 lessons comprising six weeks that teach topics in web design to medical office assisting. Most universities provide short distance-learning courses for the summer months when students typically do not stay near campus. University of Florida offers undergraduate and graduate courses with six-week programs for the summer, as well as certificate and certification training.
Multiple certification programs exist for distance learners with programs under six months. The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) is a distance-learning school for personal trainers who can earn certification in under six months. Certifications for your employment help secure your position or possible promotion. These certifications include CISCO Certified Network Expert, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Teacher certification and Adobe certifications. Each of these programs have online distance learning courses available that grant licenses and certifications. Western Governor's University provides a list of online teacher licensing programs. Adobe provides certification programs on their website.
Associate degree programs have online distance-learning courses that can be completed in one year. DeVry University has one year degrees in accounting, electronics, computer technology, health information technology, network systems administration and web graphic design. In another area of study, Fashion Institute of Technology in New York offers one year associate degree programs online with courses in fashion marketing, merchandising, product development and business practices. Valencia Community College in Florida offers online distance-learning classes for associate degrees that usually take two years. Valencia has courses in arts, entertainment, communications, criminal justice, paralegal studies, education, engineering, architecture, health sciences, information technology and sciences.
Earning a Master of Business Administration in two years through a distance-learning program is a quicker way to earning a professional degree. Course topics offered include accounting, finance, international management, international business, marketing, electronic commercial and information systems. Top universities that have distance-learning business courses include: Pennsylvania State University, West Virginia University, Syracuse University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical, Boston University and several others. The Hough Graduate School of Business at the University of Florida offers a distance-learning program that takes an average of 27 months to complete.