Accelerated associate degrees offer an efficient way to get an undergraduate education, get college credits, and land entry-level jobs. Program options are available at community colleges and vocational schools but can also be found at colleges and universities. If you are on a school search for an accelerated degree program or are looking to get an associate degree fast, read on.
Associate programs offer plenty of career opportunities, can be used to transfer credit hours to a four-year college, and can start a career in most fields. It can also be used as a tool for career advancement. This article outlines the best associate accelerated degrees, including online degree options.
What Is an Accelerated Associate Degree?
An accelerated associate degree is an associate-level college degree program that meets degree requirements in a condensed time frame. The entire program is completed in a fast-track format and can be taken in a wide range of subjects, such as social science, business administration, criminal justice, healthcare, human services, and hospitality management.
The majority of accelerated degree programs last between 15 months and 18 months in 10-week terms. The time frame varies from school to school and depends on academic requirements and learning format. You can earn your school diploma in on-site, online, or hybrid formats. These are also options to learn in an asynchronous format at certain academic institutions.
How Fast Can You Get an Associate Degree?
Associate degree programs typically last for two years, however, an accelerated associate degree can be completed in 15 months or even less. As you conduct your school search, keep in mind that different colleges and universities will offer different program timelines. Online associate degree programs and other online degrees may also have varying schedules.
What Jobs Can You Get with an Accelerated Associate Degree?
- Air Traffic Controller. These professionals monitor and direct aircraft traffic. Their main responsibility is to ensure aircraft safety and reduce delays. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these professionals earn an average of $130,420 annually.
- Information Systems Security Technician. Commonly known as information security technicians, these professionals assess and monitor computer and network systems. According to BLS, they have an expected job growth of 33 percent, significantly faster than most occupations.
- General/Operations Manager. General or operations managers are in charge of monitoring and supervising the daily activities of a company, including management of labor, productivity, and formulation of policies. They can be mainly found working for manufacturing companies and retail stores.
- Biomedical Technician. Biomedical technicians install, inspect, test, maintain, and repair equipment. They oversee the overall working condition and ensure that items are functional and safe. The average annual salary of these professionals is $51,610, according to BLS.
- Fashion Designer. Fashion designers draw, design, and produce fashion items, including clothes, shoes, and accessories. They set and follow trends and design items for consumers.
How We Ranked the Best Accelerated Associate Degrees
Our list is ranked based on duration, affordability, school rankings, graduation rates, and transfer rates. These schools stand out among a long list of top community colleges and offer students the best options to complete their programs quickly and conveniently. Many of the schools also offer online degrees to ensure that students can complete them at their own pace.
The Best Accelerated Associate Degrees in 2022
| Degree Title | School | Required Time |
|---|---|---|
| Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design | Bryant & Stratton College | 3 semesters |
| Associate of Applied Science in Computer and Information Science with a Concentration in Cyber and Information Security Technology | ECPI University | 1.5 years |
| Associate Degree In Computer Information Science | Faulkner University | 63 credit hours |
| Associate in Arts | Florida State College | 18 months |
| Associate of Science in Computer Information Systems | Florida Institue of Technology | 61 credit hours |
| Associate of Applied Science in Software Development | Herzing University | 16 months |
| Associate of Applied Science in Public Administration | Lorrain County Community College | 15 months |
| Associate of Arts in Psychology | Miami Dade College | 1 year |
| Associate of Science in Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology |
University of Arkansas Grantham | 2 years |
| Associate in Business | Washtenaw Community College | 17 months |
The Best Fast-Track Associate Degrees in 2022, Explained
To help with your school search, this section covers the academic institutions and programs that made it onto our list. It includes relevant information like tuition cost, partner programs, location, education requirements, and required degree time. These are the schools that offer the best on-campus and online associate degree programs across all fields of study.
Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design | Bryant & Stratton College
- Location: New York
- Online Option: Yes
- Tuition Per Credit: $630 in-state, $630 out-of-state
- Required Time: 3 semesters
Bryant & Stratton College is a private school in New York with other campuses in Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin. It was founded in 1854. It offers associate degree programs at all campuses and bachelor’s degree programs at select campuses. The AA in Graphic Design is a 60-credit program designed to prepare students to start careers in the graphic design field.
Associate of Applied Science in Computer and Information Science with a Concentration in Cyber and Information Security Technology | ECPI University
- Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Online Option: Yes
- Tuition Per Semester: $8,712 in-state, $8,712 out-of-state
- Required Time: 1.5 years
Short for East Coast Polytechnic Institute, ECPI is a university in Virginia Beach, Virginia. It offers several associate and master’s degree programs in on-site and online formats. The cyber security program is an accelerated program that aims to prepare students for a career in the field and take IT certification exams. It requires a year and a half of full-time study to complete.
Associate Degree in Computer Information Science | Faulkner University
- Location: Montgomery, Alabama
- Online Option: Yes
- Tuition Per Credit: $250 – $325 in-state, $250 – $325 out-of-state
- Required Time: 63 credit hours
Faulkner University is a private Christian four-year institution founded in 1942 and affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It offers degree programs from the associate to doctoral levels in several fields of study. The AS in computer information science program is designed to introduce students to the field and teach them to solve IT-related problems.
The program requires 63 credit hours to meet degree requirements and can be used to transfer to a bachelor’s program, as it shares core curriculum courses. The school also offers academic advising and faith-based programs.
Associate in Arts | Florida State College
- Location: Jacksonville, Florida
- Online Option: Yes
- Tuition Per Credit: $105 in-state, $401 out-of-state, $219 out-of-state (online)
- Required Time: 18 months
Florida State College is a public community college and a part of the Florida College System. It offers several two-year degree programs and more bachelor’s degree programs than other community colleges. The associate in arts program aims to prepare students for a bachelor’s degree. It is an accelerated course that offers in-person, hybrid, and online classes.
Associate of Science in Computer Information Systems | Florida Institute of Technology
- Location: Melbourne, Florida
- Online Option: Yes
- Tuition Per Credit: $510 in-state, $510 out-of-state
- Required Time: 61 credit hours
Florida Institute of Technology is a private research university best known for its science and engineering programs. It offers multiple programs in different fields of study from certificate level to doctoral level.
The AS in Computer Information Systems program is an accelerated online degree program and is designed to prepare students for a career in the field or to pursue a bachelor’s degree. This school doesn’t charge an application fee.
Associate of Applied Science in Software Development | Herzing University
- Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Online Option: Yes
- Tuition Per Credit: $490 in-state, $490 out-of-state
- Required Time: 16 months
Herzing is a private university with multiple locations across the US. It offers on-campus and online programs for certificates, associate degree programs, and undergraduate and graduate programs in several fields.
The software development program teaches students about operating systems and prepares students for industry certifications. The school pays the certification fees for students who complete the AAS program. Some students may choose to transfer their credits to a four-year university and work towards a bachelor’s degree.
Associate of Applied Science in Public Administration | Lorain County Community College
- Location: Lorain County, Ohio
- Online Option: Yes
- Tuition Per Credit: $149 in-state, $326 out-of-state
- Required Time: 15 months
Lorain County Community College is a public community college with centers across the state of Ohio. It offers certificate and associate degree programs in an accelerated format. Some courses can be completed online. The AAS in Public Administration prepares students for a career in the field and has an accelerated track option for students who want to get an associate degree fast.
Associate of Arts in Psychology | Miami Dade College
- Location: Miami, Florida
- Online Option: No
- Tuition Per Credit: $118 in-state, $403 out-of-state
- Required Time: One year
Miami-Dade College is a public four-year school founded in 1959, part of the Florida College System. It is one of the largest colleges in the country with over 100,00- students and offers programs at the associate degree and bachelor’s degree levels. The AA in Psychology degree covers medical terminology and coursework required to help students transfer to a bachelor’s program.
Associate of Science in Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology | University of Arkansas Grantham
- Location: Online
- Online Option: Yes
- Tuition Per Credit: $295 in-state, $295 out-of-state
- Required Time: Two Years
University of Arkansas Grantham is a private online college founded in 1951. It offers everything from certificate programs to graduate programs in several fields of study. The AS in Electronic and Computer Engineering Technology program prepares students for a four-year degree. The core curriculum consists of the same topics as the first two years of college classes.
Students who complete this program can transfer credits to a BS in Computer Engineering Technology or Electronics Engineering Technology. The program lasts for 24 months but completion time can be faster if students take a heavier course load to fulfill the degree requirements. There are special financial aid options for students with military service experience.
Associate in Business | Washtenaw Community College
- Location: Ann Arbor Charter Township, Michigan
- Online Option: Yes
- Tuition Per Credit: $95 – $119 in-state, $127 – $234 out-of-state
- Required Time: 17 months
Washtenaw Community College is a public school founded in 1965. It offers several online courses from certificate to associate levels and many on-campus programs. The accelerated Associate in Business degree is a fully online program designed for students who have work experience and want to advance their careers or pursue an undergraduate degree.
Should You Get an Accelerated Associate Degree?
Yes, you should get an accelerated associate degree. If you’re a professional who wants to advance in your career or a high school graduate looking to pursue an undergraduate degree, an associate degree will give you the necessary boost needed to achieve your career goals. With an accelerated program option, you can complete a college degree in a shorter period.
Accelerated Associate Degrees FAQ
The fastest associate degree to get is a degree in a technical field of study. These programs take a maximum of 18 months to complete and offer eight-week terms. Some program options are hospitality management, paralegal studies, information technology, criminal justice technology, business administration, liberal arts, and medical assisting.
An associate accelerated program is an associate degree program that is completed in a shorter time than regular programs. A typical associate accelerated program will take less than two years to complete since the average duration of an associate degree is two to three years. The credits earned can also be added to your college credits if you pursue higher education.
Yes, you can get an associate degree with an online program. There are many community colleges and four-year institutions that offer online associate degree program options. By taking college classes on an online platform or completing an entire degree in an online format, you can create a flexible program of study for yourself.
You can get an associate degree in one year. Other undergraduate degree programs will take at least two or two and a half years to complete. However, not all associate programs can be completed in a year, as some may take 15 months. This depends on degree requirements and core courses.
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