Associate’s Degrees generally require 60 college credits completion, which most students complete in 2 years. It is possible to speed up the process, and in some cases, there have been students able to graduate with an Associate’s Degree in one year! It will require some hard work, so be mindful if you come across schools trying to offer a deal that sounds too good to be true.
Getting your Associate’s Degree in one year
To complete an Associate’s Degree in one year, or completing 60 credits of work, will be a challenge and likely require you to prepare in advance. For the best outcome of receiving a quality education and earning your AD in 1-year, you’ll need to look into completing a combination of steps from the list below:
Consider AP Courses
Complete college credits in high school. Whether you take separate classes at a local community college or complete advanced level classes that count towards college credits, this will help you get a head start as early as your junior year, as some students have reported. The more you complete before you graduate high school, the less you will need when you get to college.
Enroll in Accelerated Programs
Search for schools that offer accelerated programs or opportunities to learn at your own pace. Accelerated programs will give you the chance to complete your course work ahead of schedule and continue to enroll in classes as quickly as you can complete them.
Pay for Competency Exams
Speak with the school’s registrar and admissions office to determine if there are course competency exams that you can take for some of your general electives.
You might be able to test out of some classes earning credit for the course without having to spend one day on campus. This will save you both time and money as the exam fees are a fraction of the cost of tuition.
Consider Your Work History
If you have any work history, speak with the school’s academic advisor or admissions office, and determine if any of your work history or work-related training would count towards credits.
Depending on your history and the area of study you are pursuing, you might find that some of your work histories can count towards college credits.
Honestly, it’s going to be a challenge to complete 60 credits in one year as there are many classes. If you can take on a combination of the steps above, you will likely cut down on a lot of time and increase your chances of finishing in one year.
It will depend on how many courses, if any, you have from high school or your work history and how quickly you can complete your classes. Some schools might offer a one-year program, but make sure that they are regionally and/or nationally accredited. You don’t want to sacrifice quality for a “fake” education.
