Accelerated Accounting Degrees

Want to earn your accounting degree in less time? An accelerated bachelor’s degree means you’ll finish college quickly and enter the workforce sooner.

What is an accelerated bachelor’s program, and how is it different from a traditional bachelor’s in accounting? In an accelerated program, you’ll complete similar courses on a faster timeline. Depending on the program, this can mean a higher course load, condensed curriculum, or year-round classes. While an accounting degree typically takes four years, accelerated programs can take three years or less.

Learn more about accelerated accounting programs to see if they’re a good fit for you.

An accelerated accounting degree lets you complete your graduation requirements in less time. Whether in an accelerated or traditional program, you’ll need at least 120 credits for a bachelor’s degree. In a traditional program, full-time students take 30 credits per year, meaning you’ll spend 3-4 years on your degree. Accelerated programs fast-track that timeline so you can graduate in less time.

How do accelerated programs work? Usually, you’ll take more credits per year by taking shorter courses or enrolling in more terms each year. For example, summer classes can speed up your degree, as can courses that use an accelerated 8-week term instead of the traditional 15-week semester.

Another option to accelerate your degree is to enroll in a degree completion accounting program, which requires 60 credits to enroll. Alternatively, you can apply to an accounting bachelor’s-to-master’s program, where you’ll complete both degrees on an accelerated timeline.

Accelerated undergraduate accounting programs typically award a bachelor of science or bachelor of business administration degree. Both options incorporate foundational business courses, while a BS program may also include general education courses in the natural and social sciences.

Depending on the program, you may choose a specialization or concentration. Popular accounting concentrations include:

A concentration provides specialized coursework to prepare you for an accounting career or graduate school. Some programs incorporate internship opportunities within your concentration.

You’ll typically complete the same application process for an accelerated program as a traditional one. That means you’ll need to submit application materials and meet the prerequisites. However, accelerated programs may have more requirements.

While the exact application process and requirements depend on the school, you’ll typically need the following:

You can strengthen your application by raising your GPA and standardized test scores. Check out our SAT guide for information on the SAT for accounting majors. Taking AP courses or college-level classes that transfer toward your accounting degree can also increase your chances of acceptance.

Some accelerated programs may require prerequisite accounting classes before entering the accelerated track.

As an accounting major, you’ll take foundational business and accounting courses along with upper-division accounting classes. In addition to these requirements, many programs incorporate electives and accounting internships that let you customize your degree. Bachelor’s programs also require general education courses, and you can add a minor to complement your accounting major.

How is an accelerated program different when it comes to courses? You’ll likely take many of the same courses as students in a traditional program. However, the courses may be accelerated, which can mean longer class sessions, a more compact schedule, or different course lengths. The content of your accounting classes will be the same, even though you’ll graduate faster.

Earning a bachelor’s degree can be expensive. The cost of tuition and fees varies from $9,800 per year at public institutions to $40,700 at private nonprofit colleges, according to 2022-23 data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

You’ll also need to factor in textbooks, living expenses, and other costs, which raise the average total cost of attendance to $27,100 per year at public colleges and $58,600 per year at private colleges.

Fortunately, you can make your degree more affordable by maximizing your transfer credits, researching affordable accounting bachelor’s programs, and considering an online format. Enrolling online allows you to take advantage of low tuition rates at schools outside your local area.

You can also apply for financial aid, including scholarships and grants, to lower the cost of a bachelor’s degree. By choosing an accredited institution, you can apply for federal student aid, such as the Pell Grant and federal student loans, to cover costs.