Many students wonder how long it takes to get an associate degree in accounting, especially if they are already working full-time or are making the switch to a second career. The answer used to be simple: two years. However, as technology continues to change the education industry and even the field itself, it is now clear that accelerated degrees are becoming more popular. Here are a few ways that a student can lengthen or shorten their time studying for their degree.
Accelerated Options
Nearly every school has accelerated options for students; perhaps the only exceptions to this rule are Ivy League schools. This is because these schools are rigid in discipline and curriculum, leaving them to be the last institutions to adopt accelerated options, which are a necessity for most students. Accelerated options for students include the ability to have shorter academic terms for more intense study, an ability to take courses year-round, and the option to take both traditional and online classes at the same school for credit.
Full-Time Versus Part-Time
The biggest question for students who are beginning their university education is whether they should attend school as full-time or part-time students. If a student has just come out of high school, then full-time is probably the best option for them, especially for the first two years of university education. For other students, such as those who work in order to pay for school, part-time may be a better option. Students should consider, however, that part-time study will lengthen their time in the program by at least a year or so; full-time study will see them complete the degree in around two years.
Related Resource: Top 50 Best Associates in Accounting Online
Online Versus Traditional Programs
Online and traditional programs have a variety of differences, but perhaps the most important is time. While traditional schools offer the structure for students just coming out of high school, it is also time-consuming and not a great option for working students. These programs often have course load limits, ensuring that students spend two years or more earning their degree. Online programs, on the other hand, offer a greater variety of flexible options, such as accelerated terms and asynchronous courses, enabling a student to complete the requirements faster, all while continuing in their career or family obligations. With online programs, students can easily finish an associate’s degree in as little as 18 months; for some who use accelerated options, it could be as little as 14 months.
Cohort Versus Flexible Options
There are some cases in which a school requires a student to enter into a cohort in order to pursue this career; while it is rare, it does happen and students must be aware of what this entails. A cohort is a program that sees one entire class of students advance through the curriculum together at either a traditional pace. This means that students must complete the degree on schedule, which in this case would be two years. There are flexible options, however; some students make take on an online accelerated degree, utilize an around-the-year schedule, or even double up on their course load by taking courses at an online school. All of these options will reduce the time a student spends earning their degree; in some cases, a student may be able to finish within 16 months.
Timelines Imposed by Schools
Every school has its own deadlines when it comes to completing degrees; this is to ensure that students move through the curriculum at a good pace as well as provide students with the ability to demonstrate to potential employers their understanding of all of the material. For many schools, there is a three to five-year deadline for this degree regardless if the degree is conferred online or through traditional means. Some schools that have international programs may extend that up to six years, but it is rare to find a program at this level that does not have a time limit requirement.
Students who wish to earn a degree have a lot of options available to them now, including options that can either lengthen or shorten their time at the institution. It is now more important than ever to take these options into account when playing for a college education. Now that we’ve discussed how long does it take to complete an associate’s degree in accounting, students can search for institutions that have the above options they require for their education.
