It is no secret that there are more people than ever now aiming to advance or begin their careers using the help of online college courses. One of the big draws for online postgraduate degree courses has always been the flexibility, which can enable students to fit their learning around their existing job or family commitments, avoid having to commute or relocate to take the course they want, and also learn at their own pace.
However, when this benefit is discussed, it is usually in terms of students being able to complete the course in a longer time frame than by following a normal college semester, allowing them to study part time or only when they have availability.
What not everybody considering an online degree knows is that there are also options like MPath, a flexible learning program offered by Marian University, that actually allow students to finish semesters in half the usual time.
How Does an Accelerated Course Work?
The accelerated programs offered as part of programs like MPath allow students to commence their course at one of several fixed start dates throughout the year, and to have all of their coursework, exams and lectures for a semester scheduled in a 7-week period, rather than a traditional 15-week semester. This will mean the student will need to work more intensively, but for many people, this is exactly what they want – an immersive program with fast results.
What is the Appeal of Accelerated Courses?
An accelerated course can be appealing for a number of reasons. When somebody really just wants to gain a qualification because they feel they are ready to move up in their career, it can be more motivating to fit the study into a short timeframe so that they can reap the rewards without waiting, and the intensive study period is worth it for the faster completion time. For other people, it can be a way to schedule their study into the times of the year when they are less busy with other things, for instance during their children’s’ school semesters, or when their normal jobs are quieter. This can allow them to compress the work they need to put in into their own preferred window.
Accelerated Learning Can Be Motivational
A third benefit to choosing flexible online courses that include accelerated program options like MPath is that it can keep you motivated right the way through the shortened semester. There is a high rate of drop off from people picking up courses online and actually completing them, and this can be attributed in part to some people simply failing to stay engaged and motivated for a long period when they are studying on their own. A more intense study experience packed into a smaller amount of time can help people keep up their enthusiasm, and complete their program.
Obviously, accelerated learning isn’t an option for everybody, but it is a great option for some, and one that more people are starting to take advantage of.
