5 Tips for Finishing College Faster

There are many reasons that you may want to finish college faster than a traditional program may usually take. Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in less than four years can save students money while allowing them to enter the workforce earlier and begin to earn a salary as a full-time employee. Here are a few tips on how to finish college faster and begin your career.

1. Earn College Credit While in High School

If you are still in high school, you may be able to earn college credit. Many high schools work closely with local universities and community colleges in order to offer dual-enrollment courses. High school students can earn college credit by taking classes either taught by college professors at their high school or at nearby colleges. Oftentimes, because of the relationship between the high school and the university, these courses, which count for both high school graduation credit and college credit, may not cost any extra money.

2. Take Tests To Earn College Credits

It varies from institution to institution, but a few ways that high schoolers are able to contribute to their dream of finishing college faster is by taking International Baccalaureate (IB), dual enrollment or advanced placement (AP) classes. AP classes allow you to take college-level coursework at your high school. If you score at a certain level on the AP exam, most colleges will accept that test for course credit. In addition, those enrolled in IB classes may be able to earn college credit when they pass their final exams.

If you have a lot of experience in a certain subject area and have already mastered the content that is shared in the college-level course, you may be able to take a test such as the CLEP or the DSST and earn college credit. While you usually have to pay for these tests, they do help you finish college faster by giving you credit for information that you already know.

3. Go to School Year-Round

If you follow a traditional college schedule, you may only go to school in the fall and spring semesters. While this can allow you to stay on track for graduating on time, you can finish college faster if you take advantage of winter and summer courses as well. These classes are often smaller and more personalized because fewer students take advantage of the ability to go to school year-round. While spending your summer in class may not sound like an ideal option, remember that it is a great way to finish college faster. Additionally, some colleges offer discounted rates for summer and winter courses in order to attract more students. By taking classes year-around, you may even save money.

4. Get Experience Credit

Many colleges and universities understand that students learn on the job or through life experiences. Many times, they offer credit for those work or life experiences, viewing them as valuable to the degree you are pursuing. For example, if you worked abroad and learned a foreign language, you may be able to earn course credits and test out of the foreign language requirement. If you run a side business, you may be able to apply the experience towards business courses. Work with an admissions counselor to determine if your life experiences can help you earn credit and finish college faster.

5. Complete Graduate Coursework While Enrolled in a Bachelor’s Program

For traditional campus students who are interested in attending graduate school, GCU offers the Elective Edge program. This program allows qualified students to get a head start on graduate school by enrolling in graduate-level courses as elective credits while simultaneously fulfilling undergraduate credit requirements. Talk with your student services counselor to see if you qualify to participate in this program.

At Grand Canyon University, we offer many different ways to schedule your coursework so that it meets your personal and professional needs. One great program we offer is the 3+1 program, which allows you to earn your bachelor’s and master’s degrees together at an accelerated pace. If your goal is to finish college faster, reach out to our admissions department so that we can discuss how you can earn credit, speed up your learning and enjoy your degree sooner. Visit our website or click the Request Info button on this page to learn more.