Cost-effective accelerated degree programs for working professionals offer a convenient alternative for students to find the perfect balance between careers, family, and any other commitments. Most universities and colleges offer the programs at different levels, including Bachelor’s, associate’s, master’s, and even doctoral levels. Some programs include conventional academic disciplines, while others specialize in career development education such as public administration and leadership.
Traditional degree programs lasting four years or more may not offer a realistic study option for full-time workers looking to get a degree. Accelerated degree programs allow students with families and jobs to graduate in a shorter time with more convenience.
With an accelerated program, students can get a degree in one to two years through dual-credit courses, studying courses in a compressed format, attending school throughout the year, or skipping electives. All the students still need to achieve the same number of credits as traditional students. They may opt for summer classes and earn credits much faster by overlapping semesters and skipping breaks.
In this guide, you will learn more about some of the best-accelerated programs for a short career change and how accelerated programs work.
1. Computer Programming
If you are yet to make up your mind about studying computer programming career development, knowing that most computer programmers and above-average wages can convince you. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for all computer programmers with a Bachelor’s degree in computer programming is $86,550. Accelerated computer programming degree programs come with different courses such as Java programming, application design and programming, and SQL fundamentals.
2. Computer Science
According to Forbes, a bachelor’s degree majoring in computer science ranks among the most rewarding degrees. Surveys from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that computer science degree holders and a median yearly wage of $86,550. Further research indicates that the next four years will bring about 4.4 million new jobs in computer and technology.
Students going for the accelerated computer science degree programs should expect to take courses including programming, data structures, cloud computing, system architecture, and operating systems.
3. Education
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, annual salaries for professionals in the Education field will vary depending on the grade they teach. For instance, high school teachers and a median salary of $61,660 Paris elementary teachers have a median income of $62,310. A little-known fact is that the top earners in the education sector make up to $99,600.
Some of the standard courses included in the accelerated education curriculum are learning theory, child psychology, instructional planning, and classroom management.
4. Fire Science
With a bachelor’s degree in fire science, students prepare for careers in an industry that keeps improving professionalism. Students gain crucial skills such as team organization, leadership, administration, and facilitation. Projections indicate that jobs in this industry will increase by up to 8% by 2024. As situations keep evolving and becoming more complex, the demand for emergency management professionals keeps rising.
5. Accounting
Projections indicate that the field of accounting will grow by up to 11% over the next seven years. Accountants will have access to various jobs in different areas ranging from manufacturing to insurance and government.
The United States Bureau of labour statistics shows that accounting degree holders and an average income of up to $71,550. The best accountants in the air industry can make upwards of $124,450 annually. If these figures are anything to go by, accounting offers a highly lucrative option. Students opting for the accelerated accounting program from online colleges should look forward to taking different courses such as managerial accounting, financial management, risk management, taxation, and accounting information systems.
6. General Studies
Earning a bachelor’s degree majoring in general studies provides students with the stepping stone to another bachelor’s degree program or an entry-level position. A general studies bachelor’s degree can also catapult students into a graduate school.
To improve the appeal of a general studies degree, students can add various courses ranging from sales, marketing, and business to computer programming, communications, and information technology. Data analysis, social media, operations, research, and graphic design also make a general studies degree more valuable.
General studies degree can lead students to various careers whose minimum entry requirement is a bachelor’s degree.
7. Human Resources
Every company, industry, organization employing more than 25 professionals requires a fully functional human resources department. Such companies include hospitals, law firms like Ashurst, hospitals, financial services, and restaurant chains.
Findings from the Bureau of labour statistics indicate that the median yearly income for human resources professionals stands at $61,920. The best-paid professionals in the field make $105,930 or more. Research findings also indicate that the area will potentially grow by 7% over the next decade.
Standard courses included in an accelerated bachelor’s in human resources degree include effective team building, organization change management, employee development and training, organization staffing, and human resource management.
8. Information Technology
According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, jobs in information technology and computers will potentially grow by up to 11%. This amounts to approximately 500000 new jobs created over the next seven years. Studies also show that professionals in the computer and information technology field earn an average of $88,240. This figure is almost twice as much as the average national wage.
Students opting for the accelerated Bachelor’s degree in information technology should expect to study computer programming, database administration, game development, web page architecture, and computer programming.
9. Nursing (RN to BSN)
Anyone entering the nursing landscape makes a good choice. On average, nurses earn an average of $73,300 annually. Many nurses continue to take accelerated degree programs in nursing to advance their careers to the next stage.
Registered nurses can earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing through accelerated programs in less time than those opting for the traditional on-campus classroom programs.
An accelerated bachelor of science in nursing degree allows students to explore beyond the conventional associate’s program. They also take different courses such as nursing management, humanities, public health, and social and physical sciences.
10. Psychology
There is no faster growing in-demand field than psychology and an accelerated 2-year course won’t make you a full psychologist it will give you enough to qualify as a Certificate in Counselling at Level 3 meaning you could start seeing clients while under supervision to better your own knowledge and grow cash revenue while you finish off the full degree.
In summary, accelerated class courses offer an excellent opportunity for professionals looking for a quick career change. Most of the programs last an average of 1 to 2 years and are fully accessible online.