10 Best 6-Month Master’s Degrees Online [2024 Guide]
By Joy Miller
Edited by Tania Staley
Updated on September 3, 2024
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If you want to earn advanced credentials quickly, it’s worth looking into completing a 6-month master’s degree online. A master’s degree can be a strong addition to your resume and help qualify you for advanced career opportunities.
If you’re committed to the idea of speedy studies, read on to learn about some of the quickest master’s degree online programs available.
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To qualify, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer master’s programs online or in a hybrid format. These programs should be able to be completed in 6 months through access to accelerated courses, generous transfer policies, acceptance of prior learning credits, or self-paced, competency-based education (CBE) models.
Bryan College offers a Master of Arts in Management and Leadership. This is a 30-credit program delivered 100% online with 8-week terms. The curriculum covers human resources, ethics, and managing organizational change.
Transfer credits and prior learning assessments are accepted, which can further reduce the time to completion, making it flexible and efficient for working professionals.
Bryan College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Charter Oak State College’s Master of Science in Health Informatics is a 33-credit, competency-based program with 8-week terms. This efficient structure, coupled with the acceptance of transfer credits, allows for expedited completion.
The curriculum focuses on practical, essential skills in health informatics and is tailored to meet current healthcare industry demands.
Charter Oak State College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Gardner-Webb University’s 10-month MBA is structured to allow swift completion. Two courses are taken every 8 weeks. The program is fully online, facilitating flexibility and accessibility. Transfer credits are accepted, potentially reducing the program’s duration even further.
This rapid pace is designed for professionals aiming to enhance their business skills and leadership capabilities quickly.
Gardner-Webb University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Due to its accelerated structure and flexible start dates, Louisiana State University’s online MBA can be completed in 10 months. The program allows for the transfer of credits and considers prior learning assessments, which can further reduce completion time.
This approach provides a tailored educational experience, making it ideal for working professionals seeking to advance their careers efficiently.
Louisiana State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
National University’s MS in Organizational Leadership requires 30 credits and can be completed in 12 months with 8-week terms. The program offers ways to further reduce the completion time through transfer credits and credits for prior learning.
This allows students to accelerate their education while gaining advanced leadership skills, making it ideal for busy professionals.
National Univeristy is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Northern Kentucky University offers accelerated 10-month master’s programs in fields like accountancy and legal studies. These programs utilize condensed course terms and intensive schedules for quick completion. They also have generous transfer credit policies, which can further shorten the timeline.
These accelerated programs focus on practical skills and rapid academic progress, allowing students to advance their careers efficiently without sacrificing depth of learning.
Northern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
St. Thomas University offers online, 12-month master’s programs, including an M.S. in Educational Leadership, an Accelerated MSN, and an MBA. Courses are delivered in 7-week terms, allowing for an intensive, accelerated learning experience.
The programs accept transfer credits and recognize prior learning, which can further shorten the time to completion.
St. Thomas University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Maine at Presque Isle offers a competency-based online Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership through the YourPace program. With 8-week terms and the ability to transfer up to six credits, students can progress at their pace by demonstrating mastery in specific competencies.
The University of Maine – Presque Isle is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Walden University’s MS in Criminal Justice and MS in Psychology, available through the Tempo Learning format, offer rapid completion times of 5 and 7 months, respectively.
This self-paced, competency-based approach allows students to progress at their own speed, making it ideal for working professionals seeking to quickly advance their education and career prospects.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Wilmington University offers several online master’s programs, including an M.S. in Accounting and an MBA, with classes starting every 8 weeks.
This flexible format is designed to accommodate working professionals, enabling them to advance their careers efficiently through accelerated learning pathways. These programs also accept up to 12 transfer credits, which can further shorten the completion time.
Wilmington University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Normally, it takes at least 1 year to earn a master’s degree. Traditionally, master’s programs are 2-year commitments.
There are ways to earn a degree in less than a year, though. It will require being strategic, but the time savings could be worth the effort.
Earning a master’s degree requires completing at least 30 college credit hours at the graduate level, but many programs offer flexibility in how you earn those credits. Here are some options that could lead to a shorter grad program:
If you want to make it even easier to earn your degree quickly, choose a program that matches your interests, goals, and skills, which can make completing your classes easier. Programs that require internships, thesis projects, or a large volume of highly technical material will take longer as well.
A master’s degree could be the key to advancing in your career. Master’s degrees are available in a wide variety of fields, and those with graduate degrees are often able to move into top-paying leadership roles.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are nearly 40 job categories, with numerous careers in each category, that require a master’s degree as the minimum level of education.
These are some that you may consider along with their average salaries (BLS):
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Chief Executives | $206,680 |
| Industrial-Organizational Psychologists | $147,420 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $145,080 |
| Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives and Nurse Practitioners | $129,480 |
| Economists | $115,730 |
| Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals | $103,460 |
| Postsecondary Education Administrators | $102,610 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $81,800 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $74,620 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $58,510 |
In addition to careers that require a master’s degree for entry, many careers can benefit from a graduate education. Business management roles often fall into that category. While not a requirement for all management jobs, a master’s degree can give you an advantage in the hiring process.
Colleges often base their graduate admissions decisions on the following factors:
For a program that grants credits for what you already know, you may be required to show proof of professional certifications or take a placement test. An admissions interview may also be necessary for discussing your prior knowledge and training.
In your search for the fastest online master’s degree, it’s essential to not neglect the importance of accreditation.
The most reputable schools hold accreditation from one of the country’s regional accrediting agencies. Many regionally accredited US colleges offer options for quick acquisition of a master’s degree, but even if you have to spend a bit longer in school, it’s worth it to earn an accredited degree.
Employers and other colleges look more favorably upon studies that were completed at a regionally accredited institution. A regionally accredited degree can make it easier to secure a desirable job and is often required for doctorate programs and licensure.
As with standard-length degree programs, accelerated degree programs are eligible for financial aid. You may receive tuition support because of your financial need, your merit, or another qualification.
Government financial aid is often need-based. You can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to get started. Grad students often receive state and federal loans. Typically, grants for graduate students are available only under special circumstances.
Scholarship money may be based on your need or another characteristic. Colleges, professional associations, and other groups hand out scholarships to deserving students. Most scholarship programs require applying and being selected.
Your employer may be willing to cover part of your schooling costs as well. This could be a standard employee benefit at your workplace. If this benefit is not available, you could still inquire about the possibility of tuition reimbursement if your studies will enhance your job performance.
Many employers value further education and training.
What you can do with a master’s degree depends on your experience and field of study. You may be able to start a new career or get advanced positions in your current career.
Many careers, such as industrial-organizational psychologists, school administrators, and certified public accountants, require a master’s degree to obtain. A master’s degree can also allow you to further your research in a particular field of interest and enter a doctoral program.
An accelerated master’s degree can qualify you for a variety of management roles too. Business leaders—such as HR and marketing managers—often hold advanced degrees. This degree can even put you on the path toward a chief executive position.
Full-time students can often complete master’s degree programs with 36 credit hours in 1 year or less. Exactly how long it takes will depend on the structure of your program, the transfer credits you receive, and the requirements of your curriculum.
Degrees that include a thesis component, for example, often take longer than 1 year.
To get done with school as quickly as possible, it’s beneficial to enroll for full-time studies. Going to school part-time while working or caring for a family can take longer. Additionally, you can select a program with year-round classes. One-year degrees usually require taking summer courses.
In general, non-technical fields are more likely to offer accelerated master’s degree programs than scientific and healthcare-focused programs.
Here are some majors that tend to have faster master’s degree programs available:
If you want to complete a master’s degree in 6 months, it’s best to avoid programs that require thesis papers or field experiences.
Yes, a 6-month master’s degree is worth it for many students. Increasing your education may open new job opportunities for you.
In many lines of work, having a graduate degree can give you an advantage. Some career paths even require a master’s degree. Completing an accelerated master’s program can allow you to start reaping the benefits as quickly as possible.
Reports from the BLS state that job security typically increases as education increases. Unemployment rates are lower among people with master’s degrees than those with only bachelor’s degrees.
If committing years to grad studies is unappealing, it’s time to look into accelerated programs. At the right school and with the right program, a degree can be earned in well under a year.
The fastest programs are often designed for flexible online study. They include generous transfer credit policies and around-the-clock access to coursework. Also, these shorter master’s programs usually forgo extensive thesis research or lengthy hands-on practicums.
If you’re ready to add a graduate degree to your resume, you can explore your options for quick degrees by clicking “find my program” below.
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