Two-year bachelor’s degree programs sound like ahoax because squeezing four years of study into 24 months would be too good to be true. However, two-year bachelor’s degrees do exist with one caveat: they’re reserved for transfer credits from acommunity college.
Two-year bachelor’s options are degree completion programs intended for returning adults who’ve finished associate degrees or equivalent semester hours at other accredited colleges.
Nontraditional students taking this accelerated track usually attend evening, weekend, or online courses to build atop their A.A/A.S. degree foundation. Some graduate faster than two years by transferring more credit hours from community college, taking CLEP exams, and getting credit for work experience.
Today’s higher education market is increasingly flexible for students aged 21 and older to advance in two-year bachelor’s degree programs, and then to agraduate degree.
Benefits of Finishing aBachelor’s in TwoYears
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Adults heading back to college will discover that two-year bachelor’s programs are the most easily scheduled around work or life obligations.
Degree completion students maximize their credit transfers, using their existing college credits to finish abachelor’s that’s virtually required in many fields. Two-year bachelor’s graduates find new careers like sales engineer, software developer, financial advisor, airline pilot, operations manager, and secondary teacher suddenly opened.
Since bachelor’s degrees are so respected by employers, graduates have alower unemployment rate (2.7 %) than associate holders (3.6 %). Pursuing atwo-year bachelor’s degree could make you appear more ambitious, well-rounded, skilled, and innovative during interviews. ACareerBuilder survey found that 56 percent of employers have raised their degree requirements.
Unless you’ve chosen atechnical job like chef or electrician, abachelor’s degree will help get your foot in the door and better secure your position. Employers value higher education, so you’ll be less likely to get axed during the next recession.
According to the College Board, this security translates into job and life satisfaction with 70 percent of bachelor’s grads reporting regular exercise. Bachelor’s-level jobs more frequently add economic perks like insurance, 401k retirement plans, vacation time, and bonuses.
According to Payscale, this builds even greater value atop the higher average starting salary for bachelor’s grads ($43,200) than associate grads ($35,100). Many folks attending two-year bachelor’s programs also simply want to expand their wealth of knowledge.
Getting your bachelor of arts or science degree quickly from aregionally accredited school also means you can move on to agraduate degree faster, like master’s degrees, law degrees, and even doctoral degrees (but not medical degrees).
Some doctorate degrees allow astudent to jump right in, earning their master’s degrees along the way. Adoctoral degree, and graduate degrees in general, are awhole other kettle of fish, though. Your master’s degree can make adifference, even if it’s not your final degree.
Tips for Finding Credible Two-Year Bachelor’s Programs
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Research is essential to select the right two-year baccalaureate and avoid falling for money-wasting scams. Always prioritize regional accreditation because it means the college exceeds quality standards, is recognized for credit transfers, and gifts federal financialaid.
The NCES reports that the enrollment of adults over age 24 hit 8.1 million in 2015, so look for colleges that attract higher percentages of nontraditional students than fresh-faced freshmen. Search helpful resources like the College Navigator for bachelor’s distance education by your major and budgetlimit.
Review published rankings; for instance, Washington Monthly updates the “Best Colleges for Adult Learners” each September. Also check into two-year bachelor’s programs’ transfer credit policies, scheduling flexibility, cohort sizes, reputation, and prices.
Interested in an Education degree? Where Can IFind the Best Accredited Master’s Degrees in Education?
Accredited Two-Year Bachelor’s Degree Examples
Using the above methods, we’ve stumbled across hundreds of worthy two-year bachelor’s degree completion programs recognized by the colleges and schools commission, so let’s review some of the brightest examples. Regionally-accredited programs are important.
Palmetto College is aUniversity of South Carolina branch that has 14 online two-year bachelor’s options, including aB.S. in Hospitality Management, aB.A. in Elementary Education, and aB.S. in Health Promotion.
On the other coast, Azusa Pacific University is aCalifornia-based Christian school with nine 2+2 programs like the B.S. in Organizational Leadership, B.A. in Liberal Studies, and B.A. in Criminal Justice.
Marylhurst University in Oregon lets working adults choose from nine two-year baccalaureates, such as the Interior Design B.F.A., English Literature B.A., and Business Management B.A.S.
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If you’re lacking the credits requisite to begin atwo-year bachelor’s degree, don’t fret because other accelerated pathways exist. Online colleges are especially famous for shortening class times for graduating faster after ahigh school diplomatoo.
For instance, ECPI University in Virginia offers aSACS-accredited schedule of 2.5 years for degrees like the B.S. in Cloud Computing and B.S. in Radiologic Sciences.
Similarly, speedy online sessions at Herzing University could lead to aB.S. in Healthcare Management or aB.S. in Marketing in 36 months.
If you’re lacking the credits requisite to begin atwo-year bachelor’s degree, don’t fret because other accelerated pathways exist. Online colleges are especially famous for shortening class times for graduating faster after ahigh school diploma too. Alternatives to two-year bachelor’s degree programs spread your study year-round to get your two-year degree in hand faster.
Major coursework and electives in accelerated courses make online bachelor’s degrees much faster. Some examples of great career paths include:
- Cybersecurity
- Healthcare Administration
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Project Management
- NursingBSN
Part-time online learning can make the process easier for online students because the course load for afour-year degree can be spread out. Acollege degree like abusiness degree can lead to job opportunities rightaway.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should IGet a2‑Year Bachelor’s Degree?
With a2‑year bachelor’s degree, you spend less money and minimize your student loan debt. This type of degree also lets you take advantage of career advancement opportunitiesfast.
How Do Two-Year Bachelor’s Degrees Work?
While every 2‑year bachelor’s degree program has unique features, these programs are characterized by generous transfer credit policies for general education courses, associate degree credits, and college-level credits from International Baccalaureate (IB), Advanced Placement (IP), and DANTES coursework toward abachelor’s degree. You can also apply for prior learning assessment credits for their military training and experience, professional certifications, and relevant work experience.
Can IUse Work Experience To Earn Credit Quickly?
Yes, you can! You can apply your work portfolio to earn college credits, as well as your military and law enforcement experience. You can check the ACE National Guide for information about professional certifications (e.g., medical assistants) that can be translated into credits.
Can IGet College Credit for Prior Learning?
Yes, you can! You will be required to submit valid documentation that will support your prior learning experience, such as military training, work experience, independent study, and volunteer work. Your documentation can be aformal portfolio of your work. You can also apply for college credits through Credit-by-examination and Corporate training programs.
Will Fast Track Courses Help Me Earn ADegree Quickly?
Yes, but remember that the intensity of fast-track courses demands more time, energy and effort because of their compressed content and accelerated pace. You must practice effective time and stress management skills to keep up with your academic requirements. Take advantage of tutoring services, health and wellness services, and writing center services to help you reach academic success.
Can ISit for Exams To Earn A2‑Year Bachelor Degree?
Yes, you can! The most popular credit-by-examinations are College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Advanced Placement (AP) exams, and DSST exams. Other popular example are the Excelsior College Examinations, the New York University Foreign Language Proficiency Exams (FLPE), and the Thomas Edison State University Examination Program (TECEP)
How Do IEarn a2‑Year Bachelor’s Degree?
First, research the colleges and universities you’re interested in, particularly their accelerated bachelor’s degree programs. Next, apply for as many transfer credits as possible using your associate degree, work experience, professional credentials, and prior learning. Importantly, plan your finances and schedules carefully. You should work with your financial aid advisor, academic advisor and professors for this purpose.
What is The Easiest 2‑year Bachelor’s Degree to Get?
Generally, Liberal Arts or General Studies, Business Administration, and Education are two-year bachelor’s degrees can be earned with relative ease. However, it all boils down to your interests, level of intelligence, and strength of commitment. You may consider earning atwo-year business degree easy because it aligns with your interests, while atwo-year engineering degree can be challenging because math isn’t yourforte.
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