| Although every student is different, when considering | | | | pretty picture. |
| an online degree program, a large number of students | | | | 16 Week Classes vs. 8 Week Classes |
| are primarily concerned with one thing: earning their | | | | Since I have taken both traditional and accelerated |
| degree fast. | | | | classes, I will discuss some of the advantages and |
| For students who want to earn college credit with a | | | | disadvantages of each. In traditional 16 week terms, |
| combination of online classes, credit by examination, | | | | the pace is generally slower and you have more time |
| and life experience credit, then this article is for you. | | | | to complete assignments. The slower pace also gives |
| Perhaps the best way to discuss the benefit of | | | | you more time to absorb the material. On the other |
| enrolling in accelerated classes is by example. | | | | hand, if you dislike the class, 16 weeks will seem like an |
| Let's compare two Regionally Accredited universities | | | | eternity. In addition, you are limited in the number of |
| with online Business degree programs: | | | | courses you can handle while working, taking care of |
| - University of Massachusetts - Amherst | | | | family, and trying to have any semblance of a life. |
| - Columbia College The University of Massachusetts | | | | Most part-time students (especially those who |
| (UMASS) offers classes that follow the traditional | | | | commute to campus) can only manage two classes |
| 16-week semester (Fall, Spring) while Columba College | | | | per traditional semester, so that means you would |
| offers 8-week classes (Fall 1, Fall 2, Spring 1, Spring 2). | | | | earn about 6 credit hours per traditional 16 week term |
| Of course, both of these universities also offer an | | | | (4 classes per academic year). |
| abbreviated summer term. | | | | If you attend a college or university that offers |
| Although the difference in semester length might not | | | | accelerated classes, you will notice right away that |
| seem like a big deal, if you want to earn your degree | | | | things have picked up a bit. The same amount of work |
| in less than four years, it will be worth your while to | | | | is required of you, but you complete it in half the time. |
| find a university offering accelerated classes. At | | | | Typically, 8-week classes require that you read 2-3 |
| Columbia College, you may take up to three classes | | | | chapters per week. You will also have an assignment |
| per 8 weeks (2 classes is the norm, but if you keep | | | | or two due in every class each week. This can range |
| your GPA up, you may petition the Dean to take three | | | | from a simple discussion on a forum where you |
| classes per term). | | | | discuss the week's reading, or it may include an essay |
| If you are motivated and maintain the proper GPA, you | | | | or quiz. It just depends on the nature of the class. |
| can take 3 classes per 8 weeks, which equates to 6 | | | | Since most students typically take two or three |
| classes (18 credit hours) during one traditional 16-week | | | | classes per 8 weeks, they stay busy... but they don't |
| semester. That's more than a regular full-time course | | | | mind. The accelerated pace keeps them from getting |
| load (15 credit hours), but you only have to juggle three | | | | bored with the material. By the time they are ready for |
| classes at a time instead of six. At UMASS - Amherst, | | | | a change, the semester is coming to a close. |
| you would have to juggle 6 classes at one time for 16 | | | | Compare online accelerated degree programs now! |
| weeks to earn the same number of credits... not a | | | | |