Get a Degree Faster: Practical Ways to Speed Up Your Online Courses

So you’re eyeing that degree but don’t want to spend four slow years slogging through gen-eds? You’re not alone. Plenty of people want a faster route, and online courses are changing the game. There’s flexibility, fewer commutes, and—if you know the shortcuts—some real chances to leapfrog ahead.

Start by asking yourself: where can you cut the fat? Not every class is actually required. A lot of schools let you skip classes by proving what you already know. If you’ve aced life experience or past courses, check if those can morph into credits. Don’t just settle for the default schedule that keeps you stuck for years. Be curious, keep pushing for loopholes, and talk to advisors who know all the hacks. Some students have shaved a whole year off just by transferring in credits or picking the right program.

• Why Online Degrees Can Be Faster
• Pick Accelerated Courses and Programs
• Use Credit Transfers and Exams
• Study Efficiently—Not Just Harder
• Balance Speed With Quality

Why Online Degrees Can Be Faster

If you want to get a degree faster, online courses remove a ton of roadblocks you’d find in traditional programs. For one, you don’t have to wait for the next semester to start—they often let you enroll any month, sometimes even any week. That means no more sitting out summer or long winter breaks, which can easily chop months off your timeline.

Another huge perk is self-paced study. Most online degrees give you more say in how fast you move. If you’re motivated, you can double up on classes or finish assignments ahead of schedule. This is a game-changer compared to the typical ‘move as slow as the slowest classmate’ vibe of in-person classrooms.

Don’t forget about all the time wasted on commutes and sitting in crowded lecture halls. Online study is whenever and wherever you want, meaning you can slot in a lecture after work or finish homework before breakfast. Many schools now brag about students finishing bachelor’s degrees in as little as two or three years when they use every trick available.

• Accelerated programs: These are packed with shorter, intense courses. You might do a full semester’s work in five or six weeks.
• Rolling admissions: No long waits for the next year—you can jump in almost immediately.
• No commute: More learning, less traveling. All that extra time adds up fast.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, over 35% of college students took at least one online course by 2023. Schools say their fastest graduates often come from flexible, online-only programs.

Bottom line: If you’re looking to get a degree faster, online courses give you more control, flexible schedules, and options to finish way ahead of the curve. It’s not some fantasy—plenty of people are already doing it.

Pick Accelerated Courses and Programs

You don’t have to stick to the standard semester schedule if you want to get a degree faster. Tons of colleges now set up online classes in shorter bursts—think five- or eight-week sessions instead of a regular four-month slog. That means you can load up on more classes, knock them out faster, and keep moving. For example, Western Governors University and Capella University both use these compressed formats, letting students finish a bachelor’s in as little as two to three years if they hustle.

When you’re shopping for online courses, keep an eye out for words like “accelerated degree program” or “fast-track.” Schools advertise them for a reason. Some even run year-round, so you don’t get stuck waiting for fall or spring. If you’re up for the challenge, stacking a couple of short courses at once can give you a major head start.

• Look for terms like "self-paced" or "competency-based"—these don’t tie you to strict start or end dates. When you finish, you move on.
• Check if you can enroll in multiple sessions at once. If your work and home life allow it, doubling up can chop months off your timeline.
• Pay attention to credit requirements. Sometimes, the “faster” route asks for more credits per term, so be honest with how much you can actually juggle.

Here’s a quick peek at how different programs can stack up:

Whatever you pick, make sure it’s legit. The fastest degree in the world means nothing if employers raise an eyebrow at your diploma. Always double-check that your program is accredited before you hit the apply button. Fast doesn’t mean fake—it just means you’re skipping the old-school drag.

Use Credit Transfers and Exams

If you want to get a degree faster, putting your existing knowledge and past coursework to work is a no-brainer. Credit transfers and exams can wipe out whole semesters if you play your cards right. Most accredited schools accept transfer credits for general education classes, so don’t waste time retaking math or English if you’ve already done them elsewhere.

One smart move is to look into exams like CLEP (College Level Examination Program) and DSST. Around 2,900 colleges accept CLEP credits. Passing one CLEP test typically gets you three college credits, which knocks out a full class. Instead of spending sixteen weeks in class, you could spend a weekend studying and just take the test.

Here’s a quick checklist to get the most out of transfers and exams:

• Gather all your past transcripts, including community college and previous schools.
• Ask your academic advisor for a list of accepted transfer credits and exam programs for your degree.
• Check if you have work experience, military training, or certifications that could count as credit—it isn’t just about classroom hours.
• Register for CLEP, DSST, or AP exams that cover the classes you don’t want to repeat.
• Submit your scores and paperwork early. Delays in transfer processing can slow you down more than you’d think.

Some colleges even let you test out of certain requirements by doing their in-house exams. In 2024, data from the College Board showed that students using CLEP saved, on average, 10–12 months on their online courses compared to those who didn’t bother with exams and transfers. That’s almost a whole year back in your life.

Quick tip: Every school has its own rules, so get the facts before you sign up. Double-check the maximum transfer limits and which majors are most flexible. If you’re hunting for the fastest path, pick a program that’s generous with credit transfer and accepts outside exams.

Study Efficiently—Not Just Harder

It’s easy to end up busy for hours yet not really making any progress. Finishing an online degree faster is about studying efficiently—which is not the same as just doing more.

First tip: block your work into short, distraction-free bursts. Research from MIT backs this up, showing that focused 25-30 minute sessions deliver better results than marathon study days. Pomodoro timers are everywhere online and easy to use. You work hard for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break, and repeat. Those little breaks help your brain reset so you actually learn the material.

Use digital tools to keep everything organized. Good old Google Calendar handles deadlines. Apps like Notion or Evernote let you clip notes, links, even voice reminders in one spot. Stop trying to memorize everything—organized notes mean you spend less time searching and more time actually learning. Most successful students say they review their course dashboard at least once every two days—to keep ahead of deadlines and spot what needs attention.

Don’t just read or watch—test yourself. Active recall beats passive review. Instead of just re-reading notes, close the laptop and try to explain the topic out loud. Or use apps like Anki for flashcards that force you to think. This isn’t just a study tip—it’s a legit learning hack that memory studies back up for long-term results.

Lastly, don’t go it alone. Find a study buddy (even if it’s over Zoom). Students who collaborate, quiz each other, and share tips often finish faster. If the online courses offer study forums, use them. Ask questions, answer others, and get in on discussions. People are surprised how much faster they progress when they stop trying to solve everything solo.

*Self-reported by online students in a 2024 College Board survey

Balance Speed With Quality

It’s tempting to stack up every possible class, cram your calendar, and just blaze through college. But graduating in record time won’t help if you’re barely absorbing anything or skimping on the skills employers care about. Getting a degree faster through online courses only works if you’re actually learning and retaining what you need for jobs or future plans.

Some schools offer eight-week terms instead of the old-school sixteen weeks. While this is a cool shortcut, the classes move fast—tests, assignments, readings, and group work all come at you at double speed. Most students handle 1-2 of these accelerated courses at a time without burning out. The minute you start to see your grades or health drop, that’s a red flag you’re moving too quickly.

Pay close attention to how you’re doing. Track your grades, feedback, and how much you actually remember after the test ends. Here’s a simple table to check if you’re on the right track:

Employers and grad schools don’t care if you finished school in record time if your grades are weak or you can’t explain what you learned. Don’t chase shortcuts if it means skipping what you actually need. Reach out for help if you’re falling behind—advisors, tutors, and even classmates have probably been there.

• Make time for study groups, even online ones.
• Ask your school about academic support services—they’re included in tuition, so use them.
• Don’t overload your schedule every semester. It’s okay to slow down a little for tough courses.

The goal is to get your degree faster without selling your education short. Speed is cool, but quality sticks with you for life.