The Best Accelerated
Online Associate Degrees

Accelerated degree programs have transformed the world of education. Associate degrees allow students to complete post-secondary education in less than two years. An online associate degree is a perfect way to gain a specialized education. Although you can’t get an associate degree in six months, you can pursue a 12-month degree.

In this article, we’ve listed the top 10 online accelerated associate degree programs. An online associate degree can provide you with a top-notch education in specific subjects. Accelerated programs are perfect for busy students and professionals who need professional credentials.

Top 10 Accelerated Online Associate Degrees at a Glance

To give you an idea of possible degree options, we’ve listed the best colleges and universities that offer online associate degree programs. There is more detail about each degree below.

School Program Completion Time
New England College Associate of Arts in Business Administration 12 months
Purdue University Global Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science 12 months
Truckee Meadows Community College Associate of Applied Science in Business 12 months
Herzing University Associate of Science in Software Development 16 months
Bryant and Stratton College Associate of Applied Science in Digital Marketing 16 to 20 months
East Coast Polytechnic Institute University Associate of Science in Cyber and
Information Security Technology
18 months
Florida State College Associate of Science in Criminal
Justice Technology
18 months
Georgia Military College Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice 18 to 22 months
Endicott College Associate of Science in Criminal Justice 18 to 24 months
Hodges University Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies 18 to 24 months
Florida Institute of Technology Associate of Arts in Accounting 20 months

How Quickly Can I Get an Associate Degree?

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In most cases, the fastest associate degree takes 12 months. It is typically viewed as a stepping stone from high school to a bachelor’s degree. However, an associate degree can be completed much quicker than a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Accelerated online degree programs are intense because a lot of ground is covered in very little time. These associate degrees take between 12 and 20 months to complete instead of 24 months.

Benefits of Accelerated Associate Degrees

The main benefit of an accelerated associate degree is that it can save time. Students enrolled in associate degree programs generally have a clear vision of their career path. If you are passionate about a specific field of study, an associate degree can provide specialized education in that topic.

Is an Associate Degree Enough?

An associate degree can be enough for some careers. It can be considered as specialized training. Fields like manufacturing or technology sometimes accept an associate degree for an entry-level position. However, most professional fields require a four-year degree.

When it comes to the job-search stage, an associate degree might not cut it. Do some research in your field of interest to find out whether employers value associate degrees or not.

For fields like psychology, architecture, or dentistry, an associate degree will not suffice. Students need to complete bachelor’s degrees and go on to graduate programs.

The Fastest Accelerated Associate Programs of 2021

The Fastest Accelerated Associate Programs of 2021

Let’s have a look at degree options in more detail. This list will give you an overview of what’s available and act as a good starting point for your research.

New England College | Associate of Arts in Business Administration

This online associate degree program will provide you with a solid liberal arts foundation. The business program covers many topics like economics, marketing, accounting, and finance. The school is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.

The program is structured by four-credit, seven-week courses so students can graduate quickly. The whole program takes 12 months to complete. Business is a field that doesn’t typically require a bachelor’s degree program to land a job. This accelerated associate degree could be enough to secure an entry-level position at a business enterprise.

Purdue University Global | Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science

Purdue University Global is a great institution specializing in online education. This associate program offers training for firefighters. You will cover modules in firefighting safety, building codes, code inspection, and firefighting practice, strategy, and prevention.

Note that it is compulsory to complete any firefighting education with internships and practical training, even though this program is online. The program can be completed in 12 months. The workload amounts to 15 hours per week and 10 weeks per term.

Truckee Meadows Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Business

This program is the university’s capstone online degree that can be completed in just one year. Throughout this program, you will cover the foundations of business, from communication to pitching and presentation skills.

This is a 60-credit program. You will cover information technology literacy as well as research and writing. This is the perfect associate degree to set you up for a business career. The school also offers great student and professional advice services.

Herzing University | Associate of Science in Software Development

This exciting software development program offers an extensive curriculum. Courses cover programming logic, object-oriented programming, C++, Python, computer security, and more. This is a great program to get into software engineering. You can use the credits from the degree to roll onto a bachelor’s.

The online accelerated program can be completed in 16 months. This is the fastest way to learn software development. The school offers great educational advice and has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Bryant and Stratton College | Associate Degree in Digital Marketing

Delve deep into the world of digital marketing with this exciting online program offered by Bryant and Stratton College. This associate degree can be completed in 16 to 20 months. The program covers all of the foundational skills you need to get into digital marketing.

Courses are taught by industry professionals, making this school an insightful yet challenging place to learn. Throughout the program, you will develop your portfolio by taking modules in business principles, SEO marketing, social media marketing, and more.

East Coast Polytechnic Institute University | Associate of Science in Cyber and Information Security Technology

This Virginia-based school offers many accelerated programs in fields like technology, health sciences, business, and more. This particular program in cyber and network security takes 18 months to complete.

The cyber and information security technology program is a concentration with a few compulsory courses. These include troubleshooting, hardware maintenance, and data safeguarding. The school offers fantastic career services. It has been accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Florida State College | Associate of Science in Criminal Justice Technology

The criminal justice technology associate program can be completed in 18 to 24 months. The degree requires the completion of 60 credits. Modules include mathematics, humanities, and social-behavioral sciences.

This degree sets students up for a bachelor’s. Throughout the associate degree, you can also start to specialize in certain criminal justice fields. Concentration options include constitutional law, criminal procedure, juvenile delinquency, and criminal justice management.

Florida State College offers robust career advice as well as scholarship options. Book a call with an advisor to find out if you are eligible for financial aid.

Georgia Military College | Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice

The goal of this program is to help students transfer into good four-year degrees. While an associate degree is not required in the criminal justice field, having one will boost your employability credentials.

This program costs $14,000 on average and can be completed in 18 to 22 months. Throughout the program, you will have the option to choose many courses. Modules cover topics in communication, humanities, fine arts, and ethics.

This is a well-rounded program that will help you gain a solid understanding of the criminal justice system. The degree is also available as an Associate of Science or Applied Science.

Endicott College | Associate of Science in Criminal Justice

This is another exciting criminal justice program. This degree lays a strong emphasis on critical thinking and the theoretical underpinnings of criminal justice. There is a mandatory module on ethics and judgment, which is very important in this field.

Upon completion of this program, you will have developed a strong understanding of criminal justice mechanisms and legal practice. This program upholds a challenging curriculum that will set you up well for a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. The program can be completed in 18 to 24 months.

Hodges University | Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies

Hodges University offers a fantastic associate of science for students with minimal training in the legal field. Hodges offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in paralegal studies. This makes it a great institution to pursue law studies.

The program consists of 60 credits and can be completed in 18 to 24 months. Course tutors are all experienced lawyers and academics, making Hodges a very exciting and innovative place to study.

Modules and courses cover topics like technology, court policies, legal procedures, new laws, and case laws. All courses are fully online and interactive.

Should I Pursue an Online Accelerated Associate Degree?

Yes, you should pursue an online accelerated associate degree. It can be a great way to fast-track your postsecondary education. Associate degrees offer more specialized training and can increase your employability credentials.

An associate degree is not enough to land an entry-level position in fields like criminal justice or computer science. Most high-paying fields require at least a four-year degree. However, an online accelerated associate degree is the quickest way to jump from secondary school to a bachelor’s degree.

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