What is the quickest degree to get online?

If you need a degree fast-maybe you’re switching careers, filling a job requirement, or just want to prove you can do it-there are online programs that can get you a real, accredited degree in under a year. Not a certificate. Not a bootcamp. A full degree you can put on your resume, LinkedIn, and job applications.

What counts as a "degree"?

Some people confuse certificates, diplomas, and bootcamps with degrees. A degree means it’s awarded by a college or university that’s accredited by a recognized agency. In the U.S., that’s bodies like SACSCOC or NECHE. In Canada, it’s provincial ministries. In the UK, it’s the Quality Assurance Agency. These institutions don’t hand out degrees lightly. If a program says "get your degree in 6 months," and it’s from a school you’ve never heard of, check its accreditation first.

The fastest degrees are usually associate degrees (two-year programs, but can be sped up) or bachelor’s degrees with accelerated tracks. Some schools let you take 3-4 courses per term, run year-round, and accept transfer credits. That’s how you cut 2-3 years down to 12-18 months.

Fastest online associate degrees

Associate degrees are the quickest path to a real degree. Most take two years, but online schools with rolling terms and credit transfers can get you done in 10-12 months.

• Business Administration - Many schools offer this with 100% online courses. If you’ve taken college classes before or have work experience, you might get 30+ credits waived. That leaves you with just 30 credits to complete-often doable in 5-6 terms of 6-8 weeks each.
• Information Technology - Schools like Southern New Hampshire University and Purdue Global offer accelerated IT associate degrees. You can finish in under a year if you take 2-3 courses per 8-week term. No coding background? You’ll learn it as you go.
• Health Information Technology - A niche but growing field. You’ll learn medical coding, EHR systems, and HIPAA compliance. Programs like those at Rasmussen University can be completed in 11 months with full-time study.

These aren’t fluff programs. They’re designed for working adults. You’ll still write papers, take exams, and do projects-but you’ll do them on your schedule.

Fastest online bachelor’s degrees

Bachelor’s degrees usually take four years. But if you already have some college credits-or you’re willing to go full throttle-you can knock one out in 12-18 months.

Here’s how:

1. Apply to an accredited school with an accelerated bachelor’s program (like Capella University, Western Governors University, or Liberty University).
2. Get your previous transcripts reviewed. If you’ve taken even one college course, you might get 15-30 credits transferred.
3. Enroll in a competency-based program. These don’t use semesters-you move forward when you pass assessments, not when the term ends.
4. Take 3-4 courses per term. Most accelerated programs offer 5-8 week terms with no breaks.
5. Study 20-25 hours per week. That’s less than a full-time job, but you can’t slack.

For example, Western Governors University (WGU) lets you complete a Bachelor of Science in Business Management in as little as 10 months if you pass 2-3 courses per month. You’re not sitting through lectures-you’re studying modules, taking proctored exams, and submitting performance tasks. If you know the material, you move fast.

Another option: Capella’s FlexPath program. You pay per term, not per credit. So if you finish 18 credits in 3 months, you pay the same as if you took 6. That’s the secret to saving time and money.

What degrees are fastest-and why?

Not all degrees can be rushed. You can’t speed up nursing, engineering, or teaching degrees because they require clinical hours, lab work, or state certification. But here are the degrees that move fastest online:

Notice the pattern? Degrees that rely on reading, writing, and testing move fastest. Degrees that need hands-on training? Not so much.

How to pick the right program

Not all "fast" programs are worth it. Here’s what to look for:

• Accreditation - Only consider schools accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or equivalent bodies in your country. Check the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions.
• Transfer credit policy - If you’ve taken college classes, worked in a related field, or have military training, ask how many credits they’ll accept. Some schools give credit for CLEP or DSST exams.
• Cost per term - Avoid pay-per-credit schools. Look for flat-rate, term-based pricing (like WGU or Capella). You’ll save money if you finish fast.
• Support services - Do they have academic advisors? Tutoring? Career coaching? Fast programs are intense-you need help.

One red flag: programs that promise a degree in 6 weeks. That’s not a degree. That’s a scam.

Real-world examples

Meet Sarah, 34, from Atlanta. She worked as a receptionist for 8 years and wanted to move into HR. She enrolled in WGU’s online Bachelor of Science in Human Resources. She had 24 credits from a community college she attended 10 years ago. They accepted them. She took 3 courses per term, studied 2 hours a night and 4 hours on weekends. She graduated in 13 months. Today, she’s an HR coordinator with a 40% pay raise.

Then there’s Marcus, 29, from Toronto. He had no college experience but wanted to break into tech. He started with an online Associate in IT from Southern New Hampshire University. He finished in 11 months. He then applied to a bachelor’s program and transferred in. He’s now halfway through his bachelor’s and working as a junior systems analyst.

These aren’t outliers. They’re typical of students who treat online learning like a job-because it is.

What you’ll sacrifice

Speed comes with trade-offs.

• You won’t have time for social life. Online programs are flexible, but not easy. You’ll miss weekends, holidays, and family events.
• You’ll have little room for error. One failed course can delay you by months.
• You won’t get the "college experience." No campus, no parties, no late-night study sessions with friends.
• You’ll need discipline. If you’re easily distracted, this won’t work.

If you’re looking for a quick win to get your foot in the door, this is it. If you’re looking for a relaxing, social, four-year journey-this isn’t for you.

Next steps

Ready to start? Here’s what to do now:

1. Decide which degree you want (Business, IT, Criminal Justice, Psychology).
2. Find 3 accredited schools offering accelerated online versions.
3. Request a free transcript evaluation-see how many credits you can transfer.
4. Compare pricing models: pay-per-credit vs. flat-rate per term.
5. Call their admissions office. Ask: "What’s the fastest someone has completed this degree?"

Don’t wait for the "perfect time." The best time to start is when you’re ready to work hard for 12 months. The rest will follow.