Supporting Students as They Compare Accelerated and Traditional Programs

Most people understand college to be one particular thing: four years of instruction that prepares you for a hopefully high-paying job.

This has been the traditional route. However, there are now more ways than ever to pursue higher education. As a guidance counselor, your job is to help students find the route that is most likely going to result in their success.

Accelerated programs often enable them to complete their degree not only faster, but for less money.

However, they are also, in many situations, harder to complete. What’s the right fit, how can you tell, and how can you help students identify it? In this article, we answer those questions.

Exploring Accelerated Options

To begin with, what does accelerated mean in the context of college? There are actually a few different ways to increase the velocity of higher education.

Taking college classes in high school is one of the most straightforward and financially beneficial ways to pursue accelerated education because it feels a lot like high school learning, but with the financial benefit of allowing students to complete college credits either for free or at a reduced price. These are effectively honors courses, which means that they will appeal primarily to students with a high aptitude for classroom learning. However, they are generally accessible to students who do reasonably well in school.

These classes can shave an entire year or more off of a person’s college career, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in overall savings. They are generally not very targeted or cohesive.

For example, no college-in-high-school program, no matter how comprehensive, is going to allow a student to knock out a complete freshman curriculum in nursing or education. They are usually more designed to help knock out general education requirements, similar to what a student might do in an associate-level community college curriculum. Regardless, it is a great way to get classes done that everyone needs to take for a much more affordable price.

Other Methods of Accelerated Learning

Beyond what can be done while still in high school, there are many different ways to earn a college degree or a professional certification more quickly than is traditional. ASN programs are a great example. ASNs are associate-level programs that are widely available at many community colleges. They are appealing because they allow students to attain a professional credential at associate-level prices.

There are limitations. ASN recipients are able to work as nurses as soon as they graduate, but their career trajectory is somewhat more limited than that of people with a BSN.

That said, it is a great way to get started in nursing. Students also benefit from being able to complete their BSN later more quickly than is typical and for less money.

Community colleges are actually full of options like this—curricula that allow you to pursue professional careers at a reduced cost and in two years or less.

The caveat is generally that you will enter the workforce with fewer responsibilities and opportunities than you would if you had a full four-year degree. Still, it is a good way to start working quickly and for less money.

And again, all of these routes come with the option of expanding your credentials later on for more money and greater opportunities.

For example, in education, you can earn an associate-level credential that allows you to work as a paraprofessional.

There are also associate-level programs that allow you to do entry-level social work, and so on.

In all cases, associate-level classes are generally easier than bachelor’s-level courses, and they are certainly more affordable.

Who is a Good Fit for Associate-Level Programs?

The answer is nuanced and varied. Here’s the truth: about 40 percent of students who start college don’t finish it. They wind up taking tens of thousands of dollars out in loans and get literally nothing in return.

If you have students who are college-hesitant, directing their attention toward an associate-level program could be beneficial. These programs are short enough to make completion more likely and financially more accessible.

Other Routes

It’s also important to keep in mind that there are other routes to accelerated learning opportunities. These are not necessarily appropriate for high school students to pursue immediately, as most require a bachelor’s degree. Still, it’s useful for high school students to be aware of them because it helps them understand the range of options available long-term.

For example, anyone with a bachelor’s degree can pivot into nursing in about a year through an accelerated program. It’s not easy, but it does provide a relatively fast path into a new and stable career.

When it comes to ABSN vs. BSN considerations, it’s often mostly a matter of keeping one’s options open. Neither path is inherently better than the other.

BSN programs are great for people who know what they want to do at an early age. However, simply by holding a college degree your students will be able to pivot relatively easily into professional careers through accelerated learning modules.

So why is it useful to teach high school students about options they can’t pursue until after earning a college degree?

Because a bachelor’s education opens more doors than many people initially realize. You can earn a degree in one field and later leverage that credential into an entirely different career if you find that your first choice isn’t a good fit. Making the same pivot without a bachelor’s degree typically takes more time and more money.

This isn’t to say that you should advocate for bachelor’s programs for every student. Rather, it’s helpful context. There are many ways to enter the workforce, and students may feel more empowered once they understand the full range of paths available to them.