Accelerated degree programs are set up so that students can complete more credits in a shorter amount of time. This means that a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university that typically takes four years to complete will only take approximately two years through an accelerated curriculum. The pace is quickened by combining shorter semesters, work experience, college credit earned through the military, examination and training.
The easiest way to discover whether your particular college or university offers an accelerated program is to speak with your student adviser. Not all schools provide this type of program to their students, and those that do often only offer it for their graduate students. Speaking with a student adviser will help you find out all the details about the accelerated program and what you need to do to apply.
Students can also opt to take DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) exams. These tests essentially allow a student to complete a subject without having to take the course, which decreases the course workload. Again, an adviser will let you know if your college or university accepts DSST exams, lets you test out of subject but does not provide credit, gives you partial credit for taking the exam or awards you full credit.
There are a number of advantages to taking and obtaining accelerated university degrees beyond simply finishing quickly. Accelerated programs typically work around the student's schedule, so flexibility becomes the biggest benefit of this type of program. You will be able to take a full-time course load without having to over-extend yourself. The shorter program length also allows the student more free time that can be spent on outside endeavors, such as family or working to pay off tuition. Completing a degree program quicker means you can join the workforce much quicker also, increasing your overall earnings.
Since accelerated programs essentially mean that you are compacting several courses and information into a much shorter duration, you typically have to do essentially twice the workload in half the time to fulfill all requirements. The increased workload may or may not increase your stress levels, but it will increase your schedule for the amount of time you are in any given course.