It depends. One of the reasons it’s difficult to say how long a bachelor’s degree takes is that many individuals pursue their degrees in different ways.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a bachelor’s degree program takes an average of 52 months to complete from start to finish.
This is about one semester more than a four-year program.
A bachelor’s degree usually takes between four and six years to complete. Because each program and each student’s educational route will differ slightly, these are just averages.
How to Get a Degree in Less Time
Fortunately, if you are a motivated student, you can complete your degree faster.
Here are a few suggestions for how today’s students might expedite the process.
Credits Can Be Earned in High School
If you’re still in high school, you can take advantage of dual enrollment programs to help you get your degree faster. Community colleges frequently offer college-level courses that can be used to fulfill high school requirements.
If you manage your course load carefully, you may be able to finish high school with one or two years of bachelor’s degree credit, usually in the form of core topics.
Online Education Can Be Essential
If you’re trying to cram more classes into each semester in order to earn your degree faster, you can run into scheduling issues.
If two courses you need to take are only available at the same time, you won’t be able to take them both in person. Online bachelor’s degree programs give you more flexibility in your schedule, allowing you to attend more classes.
Take Advantage of Flexible Schedules
Many students today do not follow traditional college timetables, which is recognized by today’s colleges and institutions.
As a result, they provide flexible scheduling, including summer semesters, online programs, and even evening and weekend classes, allowing students to attend classes whenever they want.
Choose an Accelerated Degree Program
Traditional coursework for a bachelor’s degree is consolidated into a shorter time frame in accelerated degree programs.
Because these programs do not compromise the quality of the education or its topics, the coursework is highly demanding, so be prepared for a hefty workload within a short amount of time.
Enroll in Summer Classes
Many college students aren’t used to going to school in the summer after graduating from high school, but taking three to four months off can significantly delay graduation.
Instead, think of summer as merely another semester and enroll in classes during that time. This may make it easier for you to enroll in classes that don’t fit into your typical timetable.
Don’t Change Your Major
One of the most common reasons students take so long to finish their bachelor’s degree is that they change majors halfway through their schooling.
This arises because many college freshman aren’t sure where they want to go with their careers.
Changing your major, on the other hand, may need taking new core classes, and it may also mean that the classes you previously completed in your major field are no longer applicable toward your new degree.
While you’re still deciding on a major, talk to an academic counselor about the best general education classes to take. As you progress through your degree, you’ll feel more comfortable choosing a major that you’ll stick with all the way to graduation.
