Inside Accelerated Health Science Degrees Online
Earning an online degree in health science can help you help others through a range of rewarding career options. Choosing an accelerated option can help you complete your degree quickly and efficiently without breaking the bank. Keep reading to learn more about the challenges and solutions students in accelerated programs may face and discover top health science programs offering accelerated degrees.
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Profiling Popular Accelerated Health Science Degrees Online
Accelerated health science degrees offered online can be convenient, but their fast-paced format in a virtual learning environment can present some challenges. You’ll often be learning remotely throughout the year with few breaks, and most programs include one or two summer semesters to truly accelerate your experience.
Many of these programs are hybrid or entirely online — some synchronous, where students learn together in a remote environment, and others asynchronous, where you’ll take part in lectures and testing when it’s convenient for you.
Because these options are often degree completion programs, you’ll likely be expected to hold an associate degree, either in an allied health field or something related to your course of study.
Ready to learn more about a few standout online and accelerated health science degrees that’ll help you earn your bachelor’s degree? Check out the following school spotlights.
Arkansas State University
This is an entirely online Bachelor of Science in Health Studies and is ideal for students looking to secure a future in a health career or build a foundation for future graduate studies. Students can move through the program at an accelerated pace by transferring up to 90 of the required 120 credit hours. The program also has two five-week summer semesters, speeding up your path to graduation.
You can choose from the Professional or Non-Professional Track depending on your academic background and aspirations. The Professional Track is designed for students who have previously earned a degree in allied health, while the Non-Professional Track is best for students who are new to the field.
Duration: 2-4 years, depending on transfer credits
Mode: 100% online
Cost: $282 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- Submit an online application
- Provide official transcripts
- Have a minimum 2.5 GPA for transfer credits (Enrollment specialists will walk you through the admission process and determine number of transfer credits.)
Curriculum:
You’ll complete 120 credit hours of coursework in either the Professional or Non-Professional Track, including:
- 38 credit hours of general education courses
- 47 credit hours of major courses
- 3-17 credit hours of support courses
- 6-18 credit hours of electives
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Rasmussen University
Students who enroll in Rasmussen University’s health and wellness online bachelor’s completer degree program are able to accelerate their education in several ways.
You can earn credit for prior learning, including military service and professional certifications, or you can select Rasmussen University’s Empowered Learning, a competency-based education model that allows students to work on courses at their own pace and complete projects to demonstrate their understanding of course material. Finally, you can take self-directed assessments for $149 each to show competencies in certain subjects.
This program uses video case studies and other interactive components to help you connect with experts in the field and gain real-world skills before graduation.
Duration: As little as 18 months, depending on assessments and prior credits
Mode: Online or on-campus in certain states
Cost: $307 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- You must hold an associate degree from an accredited institution; or you must have successfully completed 60 quarter or 40 semester credits with a grade of C or higher.
- No background check is required for this program, but pre-employment screenings, such as background checks, may be required for future job opportunities.
Curriculum: You’ll complete 91 credit hours in this completer program, which translates to 23 courses. Topics include healthcare advocacy and public health policies, and you’ll demonstrate your interdisciplinary knowledge through a health and wellness capstone.
Stanislaus State
Stanislaus State offers a unique Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree completion program. This is an upper-division major that complements allied health associate degree programs, allowing you to seamlessly transfer to Stanislaus State and pursue an accelerated path to graduation.
You can choose from two concentrations: Health Leadership and Administration, offering an interdisciplinary education for a range of entry- and middle-management careers in health; or Health Informatics and Data Analytics, which focuses on the intersection of healthcare, information technology, and data analysis.
You can attend an information session to learn more about program and admission requirements.
Duration: 18 months
Mode: In person or hybrid; in the hybrid option, some face-to-face practicum work will take place at the Stockton campus
Cost: Tuition for the 54-credit Health Leadership and Administration concentration is $20,250; the 52-credit Health Informatics and Data Analytics concentration costs $19,500
Admissions Requirements:
- To be considered for admission, you’ll need to complete prerequisites related to your specific concentration.
- All students need at least 60 semester units of baccalaureate-level transferable college credit, at least half of the university’s general education breadth requirements, including college-level communication, English composition, statistics, and critical thinking, with a grade of C- or better.
- Minimum GPA: 2.0 or better.
Curriculum: You’ll take 52-54 credits (depending on concentration) that will provide foundational knowledge, skills, and professional values to succeed in fields that advance health. The Health Leadership and Administration and Health Informatics and Data Analytics concentrations have specific curricula to prepare graduates for their future careers.
Ask Yourself: Is an Accelerated Health Science Program Right for You?
Accelerated health science degree programs can be beneficial for students who can handle the challenges that come with them. However, they’re not necessarily right for everyone. To help you evaluate whether an online health science degree is suited to your specific lifestyle and needs, we have answered some of the most common questions prospective students have about these programs.
Am I confident navigating online platforms and troubleshooting challenges independently?
Accelerated health science degrees offered online can be convenient, but if you’re not accustomed to virtual learning environments, you may have a difficult time finding your footing. You’ll be expected to navigate a learning management system, use video or web conferencing software, and understand the expectations of participation in online lectures.
But don’t rule out the possibility of earning an accelerated health science degree online just yet — keep in mind that although you’ll be required to quickly familiarize yourself with the technology used in your program, you won’t be alone when you do so. Many schools offer tips on how to be successful in online learning environments, as well as tech support for additional assistance.
Can I make the financial commitment to an accelerated program?
Although shaving off the amount of time you spend in school is a huge benefit associated with online accelerated health science degree programs, financing your education may still be a concern. Finishing your degree faster can save you money compared to what you would pay in a traditional program, but the costs can still add up quickly. Depending on the school, there may be less financial aid available for students earning an accelerated health science degree. As you explore your options, be sure to research what types of financing you qualify for, including federal grants and scholarships.
Do I have personal or professional commitments?
Earning a degree while balancing personal and professional obligations is already a challenge. Doing so in an accelerated health science degree program online is all the more difficult because of the demanding workload you’ll be required undertake. If you want to complete your degree while still working full time, it may make more sense to enroll in a regular four-year program to ensure that no area of your life suffers because of your schedule.
Have I met the higher prerequisites associated with accelerated programs?
Online accelerated health science programs have more requirements than a traditional path. If you haven’t completed the prerequisite courses that will allow you to keep up with the accelerated pace, you will soon find yourself falling behind. As you explore accelerated health science degrees, be sure to familiarize yourself with each program’s expectations. Have you already completed the coursework required for admission? If not, you should factor in the time and expense involved in meeting these requirements.
What are my long-term goals?
Before committing to an accelerated health science degree online, be sure that you’ve really thought about what your long-term career goals are and how this program will help you get to where you want to go. If you think you may pivot into another direction, carefully consider if an online accelerated health science degree is the right path for you. Alternatively, if beginning your career quickly is not paramount to your goals, taking your time to explore material in greater depth at a slower pace may be beneficial.
Challenges & Solutions for Students in Accelerated Health Science Programs
Accelerated health science degrees can put you on the fast track to a meaningful career, but that doesn’t mean they’re right for everyone. As with all degree programs, accelerated health science degrees offered online have advantages and drawbacks. To give you a realistic look at these programs, we outline challenges and solutions below.
Challenge: Heavy Course Load & Fast-Paced Curriculum
The downside of being able to complete your degree in such a short period of time is the intensity of the workload. Accelerated health science degrees require a huge time commitment.
Solution: You can expect hefty reading assignments and numerous tests, so strong time management skills will be vital to your ability to juggle your courses. You may also have very little time off, so create a schedule that optimizes opportunities for downtime.
Challenge: Limited Time for Concept Retention
With a shorter pathway to earning your degree, you’ll be expected to know a lot about your field in a very short period of time. This means you’ll need to learn quickly — but not at the expense of retention, as the expectations related to your future career will rely on this knowledge.
Solution: You may want to spend time researching proven retention tips, which often include ideas like studying one concept at a time, utilizing study groups, employing mnemonic devices, and teaching others, including your peer group. You can also choose to specialize in important concepts based on your career goals by pursuing a certificate or seeking a program that offers concentrations.
Challenge: Shortened Hands-On or Applied Learning
While earning an accelerated health science degree online is a great way to gain the foundational skills you need to launch your healthcare career, the online nature sometimes renders it less ideal if you’re looking for hands-on learning.
Solution: One of the benefits of an accelerated health science degree online is that these programs generally use a cohort model, where students admitted at the same time move through the curriculum together. This allows students from diverse backgrounds — many who have been employed in healthcare settings — to support each other throughout the program, collaborate, and build connections. While your program may not offer abundant applied learning, you’ll be able to use your cohort and peers to enhance your experience. Be sure to ask your peers about any practical lessons they can offer from their personal experience.
Challenge: Increased Risk of Burnout
Work-life balance is always a concern for busy students and professionals, so if you’re already walking the tightrope between your personal and professional lives, know that an accelerated degree program can make that balancing act more difficult.
Solution: Accelerated health science degrees delivered online provide little room for flexibility, so look at what you have on your plate now and decide if there’s room for such an immense commitment. If you decide this is a good option, you’ll want to take advantage of research on avoiding burnout as well as student resources which may include access to mental health services.
