{"id":2070,"date":"2025-03-17T21:20:44","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T21:20:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.degreequery.com\/?p=2070---95fcf1b6-e6e8-40e8-a0f6-194afa6d8ab4"},"modified":"2026-10-02T02:37:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T02:37:23","slug":"fastest-online-masters-degrees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.degreequery.com\/fastest-online-masters-degrees\/","title":{"rendered":"The 40 Fastest Online Master’s Degrees"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A typical master’s degree program takes a minimum of two years, and sometimes considerably longer. For students who are looking for a way to speed up the time it takes to complete their degree, accelerated programs could be the answer. Accelerated online master’s degree programs offered through a wide array of national universities can help students gain new skills and credentials fast. Some of the quickest master’s programs out there allow students to finish their degrees online, potentially taking only half the time it would usually take to earn a masters degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED: 23 Fastest Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, accelerated programs and online learning go hand in hand, especially at the master’s degree level. An online program that allows students to work at their own pace is also ideal for allowing ambitious students to finish more coursework in a shorter timeframe. Our list of the fastest online master’s programs identifies graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines that can be completed online at accredited colleges and universities in less than the traditional two years of study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is the Fastest Master’s Degree?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are several factors that can affect how long it takes to earn a master’s degree. Accelerated online graduate degrees commonly possess one or more of the following features: a smaller number of credits required for graduation, an accelerated course format or degree structure, a policy of accepting a considerable number of transfer credits and a subject that fits well into an accelerated format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smaller Credit Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Progress toward a masters degree is typically measured in credits, or credit hours. Most graduate-level courses are worth three credits or four credits, but some classes \u2013 like short modules and seminar courses \u2013 may sometimes count for only a single credit hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to reduce the time it takes to earn your master’s degree online is to choose a program that requires fewer credits. Master’s degree programs typically consist of at least 30 credits of college study at the graduate level. However, some master’s degree programs, particularly those in specialized areas, may require up to 45, 50 or even 60 credit hours of graduate coursework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, it takes significantly less time to complete 30 credits than 50 credits. If you want to earn your degree quickly, you should look for a master’s degree program in your field of study that requires only 30 credits to 40 credits. Many of the master’s degree programs on our list require 30, 32 or 36 college credits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accelerated Formats and Structures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even the best student can only handle so heavy a workload at a time, especially if they have obligations outside of graduate school. Courses and programs that are offered in an accelerated format can allow students to complete their curriculum faster. Students in one of the best online accelerated master’s programs may take more than what is typically considered to be a full load of graduate-level coursework per term.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often, students take advantage of the accelerated formats the quickest master’s programs offer by taking a smaller number of courses at a time spread over many short academic terms. Instead of taking three or four graduate courses per semester over two long semesters, a student might instead take one or two classes during each eight-week term. Under this sort of accelerated structure, a student may complete 10 to 12 classes in a year instead of just six to eight. Students may also prefer this learning format because it allows them to focus on just one or two courses at a time instead of spreading their efforts and attention too thin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RELATED: Top 25 Fastest Online Doctorate Degrees<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because this program structure depends on short, frequent terms, an accelerated online master’s program is likely to offer multiple start dates throughout the academic year. This type of program enables students to start their online degree program sooner, without having to wait for traditional fall or spring start dates to enroll.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transfer-Friendly Policies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another way to speed up your education is by making sure you get full credit for all of your work, even prior coursework. If this isn’t your first attempt at graduate school, you should look for an institution that will allow you to transfer as many of your prior credits as possible, so you’re not stuck doing extra work to get your degree. A school with a generous transfer credit policy may allow students to transfer as many as 12 credits \u2013 a third (or more) of the credits required to earn a typical master’s degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some schools also offer competency-based programs that allow you to get credit for what you already know \u2013 like the knowledge you gained on the job. Usually, colleges and universities that award credit for competency, rather than strictly for course completion, count scores on proctored exams, portfolio assessments and other methods of evaluation as progress toward graduation. Choosing a nationally ranked school that awards prior learning credits is a great choice to help working professionals who are earning a master’s degree finish their education faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Best Subjects for an Accelerated Online Master of Science<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Earning a master’s degree can improve your career prospects and your job security in any number of fields. However, some subjects lend themselves to accelerated online studies more effectively than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naturally, a program that requires a great deal of clinical fieldwork can be more challenging to complete online and in an accelerated format than other programs. This is why many of the health sciences and health-related degrees on our list take closer to 16 months, a year and a half, or just under two years, rather than the degree plan being something students can complete in 1 year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, programs that require less highly technical knowledge and\/or those that build upon existing knowledge and fieldwork often allow for shorter completion times. Some of the subjects in which accelerated online master’s degrees are commonly offered include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n