Many learners are looking for the fastest online business degree to quickly get into the competitive job market. Accelerated online business degrees benefit working professionals looking for career advancement opportunities.
In this article, we’ll cover some of the best and fastest online business degrees. We’ll explain how you can get them, which online schools offer them, how long it takes to complete them, and exactly how you can get an online business degree fast.
What Is an Accelerated Business Degree?
An accelerated business degree is an undergraduate, graduate, or dual degree program that offers condensed business education courses and allows students to graduate in less time than they would in a traditional program. Accelerated degrees allow students to reach their professional goals as quickly as possible and thereby save on tuition costs.
How Do Accelerated Degrees Work?
Accelerated degrees work by condensing classes that are usually taught over a 16-week period per semester into five to 10-week periods. The content of each course remains the same, but it is organized into an accelerated format. This allows students to complete their programs in as little as half the time.
Most accelerated degrees also offer asynchronous classes, which allow students to go at their own pace. This is extremely important for working adults that must combine their work, studies, and any other responsibilities throughout the duration of the program.
Types of Accelerated Business Degrees
Whether you are an undergraduate student just starting college or a business owner coming back to your studies, there are many types of accelerated business degrees available. These include undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and even possible combinations of both that can be completed at a faster pace.
Accelerated Associate Degrees
Accelerated associate degrees tend to pay off quickly without taking much time. They can be completed in a year and a half and are designed for students who want to get access to entry-level jobs in business or working professionals looking to increase their skills and advance in their careers.
Students can get through an associate degree quicker by taking knowledge examination tests that allow them to prove how much they know about certain topics and skip relevant classes. They can also enroll in associate and bachelor’s dual degree programs and earn these two degrees in four years or less.
Accelerated Bachelor’s Degrees
Bachelor’s degrees open the doors to a wide range of careers in business, so getting an accelerated degree is a great way to get you there quickly. Depending on your academic goals and professional experience, you can complete these programs in as little as two years.
Some programs emphasize a generous credit transfer policy, which allows students to transfer a large number of credits from previously completed accredited programs. Sometimes, they can transfer all of their credits from an associate degree and complete their bachelor’s program in only two years.
Accelerated Master’s Degrees
Accelerated master’s degrees prepare students and working professionals for a higher-paying career in management or administration. Graduate students only have to invest one year of their lives to complete these types of fast-paced programs.
Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees
Undergraduate students that know that they’ll want to continue their studies, later on, can enroll in a bachelor’s-master’s dual degree. Instead of completing four years of undergraduate studies plus two years of a graduate program, students can finish both in five years.
These programs can also be described as five-year programs or 4+1 programs. The content taught in these programs is the exact same as the content taught in the separate degrees, but they’re organized in a more compact way.
Who Should Get an Accelerated Business Degree?
People who want to get started in the business industry but don’t want to spend four to six years in college can benefit from an accelerated degree program. With this type of program, students end up saving time, paying lower tuition rates, and getting into the job market faster.
An accelerated online business degree will also benefit any working adult learner who wants to gain business strategy skills and further their business career. They don’t need to take a leave of absence from work to complete these programs, which will allow them to pursue higher-paying careers or follow a different career path.
Best Accelerated Degrees
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How to Get a Business Degree Fast
- Transfer credits. Many types of academic credit from an accredited previous institution will likely count towards your business degree, so be sure to plan for transferring eligible credits in order to reach the program requirements as fast as possible.
- Enroll right now. While regular programs usually have two dates for new students to enroll, accelerated degrees allow students to enroll whenever they’re ready. There’s no need to wait for next fall, you can enroll and start your business program right now.
- Earn credit by examination. Some schools allow students to take exams that prove their knowledge in the field, such as the CLEP exam. The benefits of taking the CLEP exam are endless, and students can earn significant credit hours that will count towards their degree completion.
- Enroll in summer courses. Take advantage of summer terms to complete as many credits as you possibly can. This is a great way to catch up on any courses that have fallen behind or to take additional general education courses to expedite the process.
- Enroll full-time. To complete your online business degree program as quickly as possible, you should consider enrolling in a full-time study format and take the maximum amount of courses you can each term.
What Is the Fastest Online Business Degree?
The fastest online business degree program is the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at Cleveland State University. This accelerated program can be completed in only one year, allowing working professionals and graduate students to advance in their careers as soon as possible.
Fastest Online Business Degrees: The Basics
| Degree Title | School | Required Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online Accelerated Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Cleveland State University | 1 year |
| Master of Business Management (MBM) | Azusa Pacific University | 1 year |
| Master of Science in Entertainment Business | Full Sail University | 1 year |
| Associate of Arts in Business | Liberty University | 1.5 years |
| Associate of Science in Business Management | Albertus Magnus College | 1.5 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Business | Bellevue University | 2-4 years |
| Online Bachelor of Science in Business Administration | Campbellsville University | 2-4 years |
| Bachelor of Science in Business Administration ExcelTrack Degree | Purdue University Global | 2-4 years |
| Online MBA/Master of Science in Industrial Engineering Concurrent Program | Arizona State University | 3 years |
| Online Master of Science in Business Analytics/Master of Healthcare Administration Dual Degree | Suffolk University | Less than 4 years |
The Fastest Online Business Degrees, Explained
Below you’ll find 10 of the fastest online business degrees available in the US. We’ll cover important details about each online degree program to aid you in your school search, including the online schools that provide them, how much they cost, and how long it typically takes to complete them.
Fastest Business Degree Completion Programs
Students who have started a business undergraduate degree in the past but never managed to finish can now easily do so by enrolling in a business degree completion program. Degree completion programs are flexible programs that allow working professionals and non-traditional students to complete their studies and obtain a degree in a way that works for them. Below you’ll find five of the fastest degree completion programs in the business field of study.
- General Business Online Degree Completion Program | St. Cloud State University. Students who want to complete their business BS degree must meet the requirements for Herberger Business School Upper Division Status. This excellent program is led by industry-experienced faculty members.
- Business Administration Online Degree Completion | Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Students with an associate degree can earn their Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and gain top-notch management skills through this degree program.
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Completion Program | University of St. Francis. This is an accelerated degree completion program designed for working adult learners. It prepares them for the challenges and responsibilities that come with being a business manager in this competitive field.
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Online Degree Completion Program | SUNY Brockport. Students with a significant number of college credits from an associate degree can take advantage of this program to earn their bachelor’s degree. They’ll learn relevant management skills in teamwork, communication, and presentation.
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Degree Completion Online | Holy Names University. This online business program was designed for busy professionals who wish to complete their business degrees. Students can choose between finance, international business, management, marketing, and sports management specializations.
Do Employers Respect Online Degrees?
Yes, employers respect online degrees just as much as degrees from on-campus programs. More and more students are choosing these types of learning formats, as they allow them to combine school with an ongoing job and other responsibilities.
Besides, there isn’t much difference between an online and an in-person program. As online programs become more popular, top universities are competing to ensure that their online learning platforms are as efficient as possible. As long as you attend an accredited university, your online degree will have as much respect and value as a traditional on-campus diploma.
What Jobs Can You Get with an Accelerated Business Degree?
- Marketing Manager | $135,030
- Business Development Manager | $120,130
- Management Analyst | $93,000
- Financial Analyst | $81,410
- Budget Analyst | $79,940
Best Accelerated Business Degree Jobs
The best accelerated business degree jobs include marketing managers, business development managers, and financial analysts. Management analysts and budget analysts can also be considered top careers in the business field.
Are Online Business Degrees Worth It?
Yes, online business degrees are worth it. They help eager students get into the job market quicker while saving time and money. They’re also beneficial for working professionals who want an opportunity to be eligible for higher-paying business careers or follow management and administration paths.
If a high-paying, rewarding career in business sounds great to you but you don’t want to commit to enrolling in an online university, try one of the best business bootcamps. These intensive programs teach you hands-on skills in business, preparing you to enter the job market.
Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees
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Fastest Online Business Degrees FAQ
Yes, business school can be hard at times, just like any other program. Some courses may be easier to complete than others. However, having a passion for this field of study will make your work a lot easier, and completing your program won’t be an issue.
Some of the top companies hiring business analysts include Cisco Systems, Capital One, and Bank of America. Business analysts in these companies can earn an average annual salary between $85,00 and $120,000.
Some of the best business bootcamps are offered by Simplilearn, Springboard, Coding Dojo, and Lighthouse Labs. They offer courses in data analytics, product management, digital marketing, and other relevant topics.
Some of the most interesting business research topics for your MBA or undergraduate capstone business project include modern methods of increasing employee productivity, brand influencing and social media marketing strategies, and ethical issues in modern business management.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
