10 Ways To Earn Your Master's Degree Quickly in 2025

There are many reasons a student may want to earn their master's degree quickly. Doing so can allow them to enter their desired job market sooner and increase their earning potential. If you're looking to earn a fast master's degree, you may be wondering how you can speed up the learning process and graduate in an accelerated timeframe.

Keep reading as we discuss some of the fastest ways to get a master's degree. We'll discuss these methods in-depth and provide answers to common questions you may have.

Fastest Ways To Get a Master's Degree

Students can earn fast and cheap online master's degrees in various ways. Let's take a look at our list of the top 10 ways to complete fast master's degree programs.

1. Choose an Accelerated 4+1 Bachelor's-to-Master's Program

If you are currently an undergraduate student, you may be able to enroll in an accelerated bachelor's-to-master's dual degree program. These degrees, also called 4+1 programs, allow students to earn both their bachelor's and master's degrees in five years.

Students in these programs often take some graduate-level coursework while still working toward their undergraduate degrees. This allows them to complete their master's degree more quickly than average, usually within one year.

2. Enroll in a Competency-Based Master's Program

Competency-based education (CBE) is a learning model that allows students to progress at their own pace. They charge set tuition rates per term instead of per credit hour, rewarding students who complete more courses per term by helping them graduate more affordably.

Various online schools, like Western Governors University, Capella University, and Walden University, provide CBE degree programs, including master's degrees. Students in these programs can potentially graduate in a much shorter timeframe since they can complete classes as quickly as they want.

3. Take Accelerated Online Courses

Many schools offer accelerated online courses. These are commonly available in eight-, 10-, or 12-week sessions, though some schools may offer sessions between four and six weeks long instead.

Students can often choose to take two or more accelerated courses at a time, enabling them to progress through their coursework more quickly. These courses typically require full-time commitment and intensive schedules as students work toward their graduate degrees.

4. Transfer Graduate-Level Credits

If you have previously completed graduate-level coursework, you may be able to transfer these credits to your master's degree program to reduce completion time. Transfer policies vary by school, so it's important to find out ahead of time how many of your credits may transfer.

Generally speaking, the greater the number of credits you can transfer, the sooner you'll be able to finish your degree. This is because, when a school accepts transfer credits, students don't have to repeat those courses � their existing credit counts toward their degree.

5. Earn Credits Through Prior Learning Assessments (PLAs)

Some schools offer prior learning assessments or PLAs. These assessments look at a student's professional certifications or other nontraditional learning experiences to determine if they can be applied toward a degree.

For example, a registered nurse might be able to complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in an accelerated timeframe. On the other hand, someone with industry certifications in IT or data science could receive credit for these credentials. While PLAs aren't always available at the graduate level, it doesn't hurt to double-check with your school to see if it offers them.

6. Take More Courses Per Semester

Full-time students taking heavy courseloads will always graduate more quickly than part-time learners. If you have excellent time management skills and want to take extra courses each semester, you can reach your graduation and career goals in less time.

Though there are benefits to taking an intensive course load, there are risks as well. Graduate school courses cover advanced subjects and are often challenging. Taking too many courses at once may cause you to burn out or struggle to keep your grades up. If you are struggling with your course load, it may be worth it to drop some of the courses and allow yourself a greater amount of time to graduate.

7. Choose a Master's Program With No Thesis Requirement

Some master's programs require a thesis, while others do not. Completing a coursework-only or capstone-based master's degree can save you time by eliminating the potential for research-related delays.

Some programs allow a thesis or non-thesis option, while other majors rarely have thesis requirements to begin with. Common non-thesis degree options include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), healthcare administration, and cybersecurity degree.

8. Enroll in Year-Round Programs

Continuous enrollment can help you graduate sooner because you take classes year-round: fall, spring, and summer. This enables you to take more grad school courses and finish sooner without taking too many courses all at once.

Some examples of schools that allow students to start at multiple points throughout the year include Northeastern University, Upper Iowa University, and Arkansas State University. Some of these schools offer as many as 12 yearly start dates.

9. Test Out of Courses

Some institutes of higher education allow students to test out of courses they are already familiar with. This enables students to earn college credits quickly so they can get started sooner in their desired career paths.

Not all schools allow students to test out of courses, so check with your school to find out their test credit policies.

10. Leverage Work Experience for Course Credit

Similar to conducting prior learning assessments, some schools examine a student's work history and award college credit based on those experiences. For example, if you have a history in healthcare and are working toward a healthcare-related degree, you may be able to earn some credits toward your master's program due to your experience.

Again, it's important to find out whether your school accepts work experience credits. If they do, they will examine your experience to determine whether your work history aligns well enough with your chosen degree for them to award work experience credits.

Accelerated Graduate Programs

Several schools offer accelerated online learning options for graduate students. Some of the options include:

• Western Governors University: This private online school provides self-paced, competency-based learning opportunities that encourage students to progress through their studies quickly. Master's degree options include healthcare management, computer science, and education.
• Southern New Hampshire University: Southern New Hampshire University offers flexible online coursework in accelerated 10-week sessions, and students can transfer credits and receive credit for prior learning to graduate faster. Master's degrees here include criminal justice, business administration, and public health.
• Liberty University: Liberty University is a transfer-friendly Christian school providing hundreds of flexible degree programs through accelerated course sessions. Students can earn online master's degrees in fields like information technology, human resource management, and project management.

FAQs About the Quickest Master's Degrees

If you still have questions about how to get a master's degree fast, keep reading. Below, we'll answer some frequently asked questions you may be curious about.

What Is the Quickest Master's Degree To Get?

Master's degrees generally require 30 to 60 credits; however, even comparable programs can vary from school to school. Generally speaking, the quickest master's degrees are the ones with the fewest credit hour requirements.

How Fast Can You Get a Master's Degree?

Most master's degree programs take one to two years to complete. Accelerated online master's programs can often be finished within a year � and sometimes less. Some schools even offer 6-month master's degrees online, though these programs are rare and typically require intensive study schedules.

Can You Do a Master's Degree in 1 Year?

Yes, many schools offer one-year master's degree programs. This is especially true of programs that require fewer credit hours, typically 30 to 36. Common master's degrees that can be completed in one year include accounting, education, and communication.

Find an Accelerated Master's Degree

If you're ready to start earning a fast master's degree, explore the schools featured here on Learn.org. Reach out to any of them today to find out more about their accelerated programs and to choose the right one for you.