So if you've finished a standard-level IB course, just know that you might not actually get any college credit for it! In addition, because AP classes and tests are more popular, colleges might be less likely to accept IB exam credits. I strongly advise you to check the official credit policies for each college you're considering so you'll know what kinds of tests they accept for credit and how much credit you'll get some schools offer more credit for AP tests over IB tests, or vice versa.
Finally, and only if a college allows this, you might be able to earn credits for college while in high school by taking some community college courses. It's not particularly common for four-year colleges to accept community college credits from high school students, so be sure to check first with the colleges you're considering to see whether they'll actually accept these credits.
Knowing for sure what you want to major in will help streamline your bachelor's program and could even cut down the time it takes you to get your degree. If you end up changing your major a couple of years in or wait to declare one until late into your program, you'll most likely be in college for at least four years—possibly longer!
Moreover, choosing just one major can reduce the time it takes to get your degree. Though there's nothing wrong with double majoring I did it , doing so means you'll likely be in school for four years, maybe longer. Ultimately, you have to decide what's important for you. Would you rather get your bachelor's degree in less time but only be able to have just one major? Or, would you rather spend more time in college—four or more years—and be able to study everything you want?
I suggest meeting with your college academic advisor as soon as you can to explain your plans and see what your options are for courses and schedules.
Talk to your advisor about adjusting your schedule so you can graduate sooner. Essentially, instead of taking the normal course load of, say, four classes per semester which we'll say is equal to 16 credits , you'd be taking five classes 20 credits. By taking just one or two extra classes a semester, you could cut down your program by as much as a whole semester or year, allowing you to graduate early.
Many students earn their bachelor's degrees in four years of continuous full-time study, but this time frame doesn't include summer courses, which offer you an extra quarter or semester of credits. Just make sure that the courses you take are ones you need to graduate, such as major courses or General Education courses, and you're ready to go. Though most students who take summer classes do so at their home institutions, another option is to take college classes at a local community college during the summer.
Doing this can be more convenient if your school is far away and you want to stay close to home in the summer. Check that your school will accept these summer credits before you decide to enroll in any community college classes. Also, be aware that you most likely won't be able to transfer grades to your home institution—just the credits you earn. Summer school students need cool backpacks, too. Many schools offer bachelor's degree programs that are specifically designed to let you get your degree in a shorter time frame, usually three years.
These programs can vary significantly in how they're structured, but normally you'll be given a strict schedule to follow as well as special academic advising. If you're dead-set on getting your degree in less time, it's worth it to see what colleges offer these programs and whether they have the program available in your intended major.
The following chart shows popular schools with three-year bachelor's degree programs. The schools have been arranged in alphabetical order, with each including its location and programs offered. You can find more three-year's bachelor's degree programs by searching on Google for "three-year bachelor's degree programs site:. Many colleges offer online and hybrid bachelor's degree programs, both of which usually take less time than a typical four-year undergraduate degree. An online program is where you take all your classes and turn in all assignments online.
A hybrid program, on the other hand, is where you take both in-person and online classes—in short, it's a mix between a traditional program and an online one. If you don't mind the idea of not going to an actual campus and not meeting with classmates and professors, an online or hybrid bachelor's degree program could be for you. Just know that there can be some big disadvantages to doing one, including fewer if any networking opportunities and a lack of prestige online and hybrid programs are still sometimes viewed as less "legitimate" than traditional ones.
These programs can save you both time and money because of their flexibility. For example, at Purdue , "most [online] bachelor's degree programs can typically be completed in 2 to 4 years. Here's a list of the top 15 universities offering online bachelor's degree programs. Note that the US News rankings are specifically for the online programs and not for each school as a whole.
Perhaps you're hoping it's less than four for you—and while there's nothing wrong with earning your degree faster, there are some drawbacks you should be aware of.
With such a heavy workload, you'll more than likely have far less time to interact socially, go on vacations, and participate in extracurricular activities, such as clubs and sports. In , Ipsos and Navient published a study entitled Money Under It explored the financial well-being of American young adults between the ages of 22 and Interestingly, the study also found that degree holders are more likely to be homeowners.
They are also more likely to save money on a monthly basis. For example, college grads experience more job satisfaction than those who have just a two-year degree or no degree at all. People with a college education also volunteer in their communities more often and tend to vote more than those who do not have a degree. This is about one semester longer than four years. Thankfully, if you are a motivated student, you can earn your degree more quickly. While taking extra credits each semester can help, there are other ways to earn a degree more quickly and start your professional career and life without driving yourself crazy with heavy workloads.
If you are still in high school, you can take advantage of dual enrollment options to speed up your degree completion. Community colleges often offer college-level courses that can double as high school credit. If you want to earn college credit while still in high school, talk to your high school academic counselor as well as a college admissions counselor at your preferred post-secondary school.
These professionals will help you plan so you use your financial investment and time wisely. If you are trying to fit in more classes each semester to finish your degree more quickly, you may run into scheduling problems. If two courses that you need to take are only offered at the exact same time, you simply cannot take both … in person. Pamme Boutselis is an adjunct, writer and senior content director in higher education. Connect with her on LinkedIn. In today's competitive workforce, it can pay - literally - to advance from an associate to bachelor's degree.
Learn more about the career and salary growth you could experience with a bachelor's degree. There are many factors to consider when choosing which path is for you, including time commitment and cost. Two of the most popular types of credentials are degrees and certificates, and each can be significant in helping you achieve your goals.
Personal preferences, goals, academic progress, transfer credit eligibility, cost and time considerations are all factors that may impact how many years it takes to earn a bachelor's degree, but 4 years is the traditional timetable to earn the credits you need.
July 22, Pamme Boutselis. Get Your Bachelor's. Certificates vs. Degrees: What's the Difference? November 02, There are many factors to consider when choosing which path is for you, including time commitment and cost.
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Our Academic Team. Academic Partners. UN Partners. Corporate Partners. Foundation Partners. Worldwide Recognition. UoPeople in the Media. Contact Us. Top Facts 15 votes. Top Facts. Transferring previous college credits can help you earn your degree faster. Program Duration and Enrollment Status Depending on your schedule, there is flexibility for how much you want to study per term. This means that you will graduate as quickly as possible by fulfilling the course units.
Three-quarter time: credit hours per semester Part time: credit hours per semester For students with other responsibilities, such as work or family obligations, part-time status may be preferred.
Taking less than the full course load per semester may mean graduating in more time, but it will also offer the flexibility and time to balance both school and other aspects of life. Less than half time: credit hours per semester On the other hand, some institutions may offer Accelerated Programs , which is designed to be completed in less time than a traditional four-year program.
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