25 Best Self-Paced Online Colleges [2024 Guide]
By Joy Miller
Edited by Briana Sukert
Updated on October 9, 2024
If you hope to set your own schedule while earning a degree, then you may be interested in self paced online college classes. With this style of education, the more quickly you learn the material, the sooner you’ll complete classes and reach graduation.
At your own pace, online college programs are available for many different majors, so you may be able to find one that suits your interests.
If you’re determined and motivated, you might have your college degree in hand before you know it.
Editorial Listing ShortCode:
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer flexible online degree programs.
Albert Magnus College offers flexible online degree programs in fields such as accounting, computer information systems, and communications. Courses use accelerated, 8 week terms, so up to 30 credits may be earned in 1 year while taking only two courses at a time. Online students may choose to take some courses on campus.
Albertus Magnus College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
At American Public University, online courses start monthly and are usually 8 weeks long. There are no set login times, but there may be some scheduled due dates to help students stay on track. Over 200 degree and certificate programs are available in fields such as communications, history, and math.
American Public University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Capella University’s online FlexPath programs are designed to allow students to work at their own speed and move on to the next course when ready. Students typically take just 1 or 2 courses at a time. Potential fields of study for bachelor’s degree programs available in this format include accounting, health information management, cybersecurity, and general psychology.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Central Michigan University’s online degrees are designed to provide the same education that can be received on campus, while also allowing students to study anywhere, any time. Online students have opportunities to participate in research and hands-on learning experiences. Possible undergraduate majors include entrepreneurship, general management, and information systems.
CMU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Columbia College offers more than 30 fully online degree programs in fields such as marketing, child development, management information systems, and human resource management. There are six 8 week sessions each year, and the program offers the flexibility to fit studies into busy schedules.
Columbia College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Online degree programs at Fort Hays State University aim to provide convenient and flexible scheduling. Courses may be taken every semester or breaks may be taken as needed. Possible undergraduate majors include communication studies, organizational leadership, political science, and technology leadership.
FHSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
A degree can be earned 100% online at Indiana Wesleyan University. Online classes are 5 to 8 weeks long and have no set meeting times. Typically, one class is taken at a time. Online undergraduate majors are offered in fields such as communication, cybersecurity, business administration, and early childhood education.
IWU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Liberty University offers numerous Christian degree programs 100% online with no set login times through the online learning platform Canvas. Courses are typically 8 or 16 weeks long. Bachelor’s degrees are available in fields such as business administration, information technology, applied ministry, English, and creative writing.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Lourdes University is a Catholic school that offers three degree programs in a fully online, self-paced format: a BS in Business Administration, an RN-to-BSN, and an MSN Nurse Educator. The degrees can be started at any time. Each online student is paired with a personal success coach.
Lourdes University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
At Mercy College, a degree can be earned 100% online in a field such as counseling, cybersecurity, education, or computer science. Online classes are available in several different formats, including options with no set meeting times. Each student is paired with a professionally trained mentor to help them achieve success.
Mercy College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The Metropolitan State University of Denver offers self-paced online courses designed to fit busy schedules. Courses are 8 or 18 weeks long during fall and spring semesters and 10 weeks long during the summer. Because the courses are self-paced, the degrees may be completed at an accelerated pace. Online degree programs are offered in fields such as business administration, accounting, and political science.
MSU Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Purdue University’s accelerated ExcelTrack degree programs consist of highly focused, 1 credit courses. There’s no maximum number of courses that may be taken each term, and the school offers a readiness assessment to allow students to quickly move past what they already know. Bachelor’s degree programs with this format are available in several fields, including criminal justice, analytics, health care administration, and nursing.
Purdue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Saint Louis University offers fully online degree programs with multiple start dates every year. Possible fields of study available for bachelor’s degrees include computer information systems, leadership and organizational behavior, emergency management, and general studies.
SLU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Thomas Edison State University offers self-directed courses in which assignments and a final project are completed autonomously with 12 week terms. Courses may require proctored examinations. Assignments can be sent by mail, without internet access. TESU offers online bachelor’s degree programs in several fields, including electrical technology, liberal studies, and English.
Thomas Edison State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Arkansas – Little Rock offers over 450 online courses that teach the same academics as on-campus courses but with a higher level of flexibility. Courses do feature weekly deadlines. Fully online undergraduate majors are available in political science, history, applied communication, and business analytics.
UA Little Rock is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Florida offers open-enrollment, self-paced Flexible Learning courses which can take as long as 16 weeks to complete but may be finished sooner. UF offers fully online degree programs in fields such as computer science, biology, anthropology, business administration, and communication sciences.
The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign offers two types of self-paced courses: On-Demand and NetMath. On-Demand courses can be enrolled in at any time, and NetMath courses are from the math department and are 16 weeks long. Fully online undergraduate degree programs are available in fields such as early childhood professional education, social work, and sustainability.
The University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
MyPath online programs from the University of Massachusetts Global are designed to be completed at one’s own pace. Support coaches and staff are available to provide help when needed. Degrees available in this format include a Bachelor of Business Administration, a BS in Information Technology, and an MA in Organizational Leadership.
The University of Massachusetts Global is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Some online courses at the University of North Dakota can be enrolled in at any time. They may be completed at one’s own pace as long as they are completed in 9 months. Degrees that can be earned entirely in this format include a Bachelor of General Studies and a BA in Communication or Social Science.
UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Wisconsin offers Flexible Option online bachelor’s degree programs. Fields of study offered include information science and technology, biomedical sciences, business administration, and nursing. Classes have no set meeting times and may be started any month, not just at the beginning of a traditional semester. Assessments are available to earn credit for prior knowledge.
UW is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Upper Iowa University offers online, self-paced distance learning options with the ability to have one-on-one communication with instructors. Courses start every month, and students can take up to 6 months to finish them. Fully online bachelor’s degrees are available in fields such as financial management, communication studies, accounting, and criminal justice.
Upper Iowa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Fully online undergraduate degrees at Walsh College are available in fields such as information technology, applied management, accountancy, and business administration. There are multiple possible concentrations to choose from within the business administration program. The school’s programs are designed to be flexible and fit into busy schedules while providing personalized attention.
Walsh College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
West Texas A&M University offers self-paced courses that can be registered for at any time. Courses can potentially be completed in just 1 month, and up to 6 months is allowed. Self-paced courses are available for a variety of different subjects and degree programs. Fields of study offered include sports and exercise, media communication, political science, social work, and criminal justice.
West Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Online courses at Western Governors University may be completed at one’s own pace as long as the minimum number of competency units are met each term. Credits may be earned from passing assessments on material learned from prior experiences. Western Governors University offers online degree programs in several fields, including information technology, business, education, and nursing.
Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Western Washington University offers online courses in both a term-based interactive format and a self-paced format. The self-paced courses are designed to foster independent thinking and learning while being highly flexible with regards to scheduling. Subjects in which online courses may be taken include English, management information systems, and mathematics.
Western Washington University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
When you’re looking for the best self paced online college, you can start by thinking about what major you’d like to pursue. Once you’ve selected a program, you can then search for colleges that offer that degree in a self-paced format.
Select the program that most interests you to jump to that section of the guide:
The program that’s best for you will depend on your personal interests and professional goals.
As an accounting student, you can count on learning about financial recordkeeping, auditing, and taxation. The branches of accounting that you’ll study may include financial and cost accounting. You might take business math and statistics classes too.
Accounting majors often work as management accountants, auditors, tax examiners, budget analysts, or cost estimators. Earning graduate credits could help prepare you to become a certified public accountant.
Business administration is a field of study that includes many different disciplines. You’ll receive an introductory education in marketing, human resources, finance, logistics, and more. The school might offer you the chance to specialize in a particular area of business, such as accounting or information technology.
With a business degree, you might be ready for entry-level work in a department like sales or HR. Some business admin professionals quickly advance into management roles.
If you’ve been told that you excel at delivering messages or breaking down complex information, then you might want a career in communication.
A degree in this field will address public speaking, mass communication, and clear writing. You may practice using videos and other digital media to share messages as well. Communications graduates may work in journalism, freelance writing, public relations, marketing, or social media management.
Computer science is the study of how computers and their applications work. For success in this field, it helps to be good at math and logical thinking.
You’ll study algorithms, programming languages, operating systems, and web development. Cyber security might be an additional topic. Computer science grads have in-demand skills for many jobs in technology. Examples include computer programming, software development, systems analysis, and IT management.
Majoring in criminal justice could help get you ready for a career that’s dedicated to keeping your community safe. You’ll get to know the systems used for law enforcement, prosecution, and corrections. Interesting areas of study may include crime prevention and juvenile justice.
You could apply for jobs in local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies. You could also work for a private security company or a correctional facility.
Protecting data is one of the primary responsibilities of cyber security professionals. Getting ready for the job requires learning about computer programming, scripting, networking, cloud computing, and data storage. You might practice penetration testing and ethical hacking.
Job titles for this degree include security analyst and digital forensic specialist. Positions are available in the military, law enforcement departments, government agencies, and private businesses.
Today’s data analytics practices involve machine learning and big data mining. You’ll learn about those topics and more in your self-paced data analytics program. Other classes will address databases, scripting, statistical modeling, cloud solutions, and networks.
With a data analytics degree, you might want to be a computer programmer, a marketing analyst, or an operations research analyst. You could also pursue a career as a data scientist.
You can study online to become a K-12 teacher. The coursework will cover learning styles, curriculum planning, and literacy development.
You’ll also learn about special education law. Before graduation, you’ll work as a student teacher in a local school. This degree typically leads to teacher licensure from your state. Then, you can work in public or private schools, where you may teach a particular grade or subject.
In an electronics engineering program, you’ll study the fundamentals of engineering, and you’ll delve into lessons about electrical systems and electronics.
Common topics include AC and DC circuits, semiconductors, and controls. There will be multiple math and physics classes, and lab experiences are usually part of the curriculum as well. Bachelor’s degree graduates often work as electronics or electrical engineers. There are engineering technician and technologist roles available too.
A general engineering program usually covers topics like calculus, physics, computer programming, mechanics, and thermodynamics.
You’ll touch on various branches of engineering, including civil, mechanical, industrial, and electrical engineering. You may have the opportunity to specialize in one area by taking a series of relevant courses. Studying general engineering could qualify you to work as an engineer, particularly in your chosen area of specialization.
For those who want to run businesses, an entrepreneurship program could provide the necessary skills. You’ll learn strategies for succeeding in business as you take classes in customer service, inventory management, funding acquisition, and team leadership. The courses may also teach you how to use entrepreneurial strategies in corporate settings.
Entrepreneurship students often become small business or franchise owners. Operations analysts or production managers could also use this degree.
Studying money markets and investment principles could help you launch a career in finance. The courses will teach you to analyze financial statements and build well-performing portfolios. You can learn some accounting skills too.
Some graduates work as personal financial advisors, loan officers, or insurance underwriters. Other potential job titles include financial examiner, financial analyst, risk manager, and budget analyst.
If you have an eye for what looks good, you might consider developing your skills in a self-paced graphic design program.
You can enhance your ability to create visually appealing layouts and to communicate through text and graphics. Digital design courses will play a key role in your studies. Graphic designer is a top job title for people with this degree. Other options might include web developer or creative director.
You can learn the basics of the allied health profession in a health services degree program. Studying medical terminology and human anatomy will help prepare you for working in healthcare facilities. Plus, you’ll gain business skills as you study customer service, records management, insurance reimbursement, and quality assurance.
Health services graduates are often managers in physicians’ group practices, laboratories, hospitals, and public health departments.
Healthcare administration focuses on the business side of running medical facilities. Students engage in lessons on marketing, finance, accounting, and personnel management for healthcare organizations. There are courses in medical billing, public health, and patient privacy too.
Once you graduate, you might start working as a medical records technician or a health services manager. You could also start a career in healthcare policy development.
As you start your IT degree program, you’ll first familiarize yourself with computer hardware and software. Next, there may be classes in networking, operating systems, and the internet.
Before you graduate, you’ll also study scripting, project management, system analysis, and cyber security. IT graduates often work in tech-focused roles, such as network support specialists, network administrators, software testers, and systems analysts.
If you’re a working adult who’s ready to list a degree on your resume, you might consider a liberal arts major. You can gain knowledge about a broad array of topics, such as writing, math, art, psychology, history, and science. After taking an assortment of interesting classes, you’ll become a college graduate!
A liberal arts degree could help prepare you for many jobs, including event planner, HR specialist, and project coordinator.
A self-paced management degree program can help get you ready for business leadership roles. The curriculum will address communication, sales, team-building, and vision-casting.
You can practice leading projects, and you’ll gain tools for helping groups through transitions. The teachers might also talk about marketing and finance principles. This degree could be useful for jobs in operations, logistics, or marketing management. You might also seek a position as a management consultant.
A marketing degree program will teach you about traditional marketing and digital marketing. There will be courses in consumer behavior, market research, and sales.
You can become more knowledgeable about ad campaigns, branding, and social media management. Most schools will also include an assortment of general business classes in this degree program. You might work in ad sales, brand management, social media strategy, marketing research, or copywriting.
With a self-paced RN-to-BSN program, you can build on your registered nursing training and earn a college degree. You’ll expand your education with classes in patient care and professional development. Specific topics might include public health, anatomy, electronic health records, and patient assessments.
Getting a degree might qualify you for nursing department promotions or leadership roles. You might be eligible to enroll in advanced practice nursing programs.
This degree focuses on helping organizations accomplish their goals through successful leadership and team collaboration.
The curriculum might prepare you to motivate employees, navigate change, oversee projects, communicate clearly, and develop strong teams. Organizational leadership grads may go on to become business managers or executives.
You might take a general management role or work in a specific department, such as sales, training and development, client relations, or human resources.
Psychology students learn about people’s thoughts and behavior. In this program, you’ll take classes in human development and personality theory.
Other courses might focus on abnormal psychology or cognitive processes. In addition, it’s common to study psychology research. Psychology degrees are useful in careers that involve working with people, including marketing and human resources. Some people become psychology assistants or psychiatric technicians.
The field of social science incorporates disciplines such as psychology, anthropology, and sociology. You’ll study each of those branches in a social science program. Comparative politics may be another key topic.
In addition, you’ll explore research methodology and data analysis tools used in social science. A social science degree might be useful for working in public policy, program leadership, law enforcement, or public relations.
Your software development curriculum will include multiple programming courses. In addition, you can become well-versed in databases and data structures.
You can expect to study IT fundamentals, including networking and operating systems, as well. The coursework may prepare you for industry certifications. Possible jobs related to this field include being a software developer or tester. You could also go into programming, web development, or mobile app design.
As a supply chain professional, you could be an expert in getting items where they need to go. In preparation, you can study warehousing and inventory management.
You’ll learn about transportation and global importing and exporting. Contracts and project management are other frequent topics in supply chain programs. Once you finish your degree, you might work in logistics, procurement, or quality assurance.
Before you commit to an at your pace online program, you may want to take a look at the pros and cons so that you can know what to expect.
Pros:
Cons:
If your goal is to save as much time and money as possible in earning a degree, then the pros of self-paced learning are likely to outweigh the cons.
Online self-paced programs offer many advantages, but they can be a lot different from the classroom experiences of your past.
Before you sign up, you may want to take a good look at whether this schooling approach will mesh with your strengths and learning style.
You’ll be more likely to succeed in self-paced studies if you:
If you’re this type of learner, then self-paced online college could be a strategic fit.
Once you’ve determined that self-paced school is right for you, it’s time to prepare for success. You can use these tips to help you make the most of your college experience:
With the right major, the right support system, and the right organization in place, you may fall in love with self-paced learning.
As self-paced education is becoming more popular, you might have a variety of colleges to consider for your degree. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a program:
You may want to talk to past students for their recommendations.
Admission guidelines vary from one college to the next, but self-paced schools often have generous admissions policies. They tend to welcome as many students as possible.
To enroll, you might be asked to turn in:
You might be asked to speak with an admissions counselor during the enrollment process. Much like open admissions colleges, there may also be placement tests to take before beginning classes.
You can get a quality education from a self-paced college program, just like you can from a traditional on-campus program. The key is to make sure you enroll at a regionally accredited college.
Accredited schools have been independently verified as good educational institutions. The work you do at a regionally accredited college may transfer from one school to another. Earning an accredited degree might qualify you for admission to a graduate program.
A potential employer might also be glad to see an accredited college degree on your resume. Plus, in some industries, regionally accredited studies may be necessary for licensure or certification.
As with standard-paced degree programs, self-paced programs might be eligible for various types of tuition assistance.
There are online colleges that pay you to attend. Your college may give out scholarship money if qualifying students select a specific program, enroll by a particular date, or possess certain qualifications. You may also be able to apply for scholarships from national or community organizations.
State and federal funds can also be applied to college programs. There are plenty of online colleges that accept FAFSA. Your student aid package might include both grants and loans, depending on your eligibility.
To apply for government help, you can turn in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can also see if your employer contributes to college studies.
Self-paced learning is an approach to college studies that lets you advance through the program on your own timetable. The goal is mastery of the material, so as soon as you demonstrate that you understand a concept, you can move on to the next step.
With this approach to education, there isn’t a set due date for each assignment or a predetermined end date for each course. Rather, you can set your own schedule for completing the work. Even still, self-paced learning is not entirely open-ended. Many schools enforce a limit on how long you can be enrolled.
Yes, many online colleges offer self-paced learning modules. You can earn your college degree by completing a series of go-at-your-own-pace classes. Many adult learners appreciate this approach to college studies.
If you’re in a hurry to graduate and have a lot of time available for studying, then you can fully dedicate yourself to quick college completion. On the other hand, if you are too busy to keep up with a heavy workload, then self-paced classes may feel more doable than a traditional college schedule.
Just like competency based online degree programs, you won’t have to worry about missing deadlines or falling behind.
While self-paced classes don’t have firm deadlines for watching lectures and completing assignments, your enrollment might not be open-ended. Schools often set a limit for how long you have to complete one class. For instance, 6 months is a common timeframe.
If you’re using federal financial aid, you may be required to wrap up a class before the end of the traditional semester in which the aid was granted. Some schools may cap the number of years you have for finishing your degree.
Tuition costs can vary greatly from one school to the next, and your financial aid package may strongly influence your final costs. Often, though, attending a public university or a community college as an in-district resident will be cheaper than going to a private school.
When it comes to self-paced programs, the most affordable ones sometimes charge per term rather than per class. You would pay a set fee and can take as many courses as you want during that period. Finishing your entire degree in just 2 or 3 terms could help keep your costs fairly low.
Online self paced courses take a different approach to education than most college classes that follow an instructor-led format.
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While self-paced schooling offers many advantages, some students prefer the structure of instructor-led classes.
Yes, self-paced online courses for college credit are worth it for many students. With self paced college courses online, you may be able to earn a degree in just 1 year or 2 years. The sooner you graduate, the sooner you may be able to put your degree to work for you.
A degree could help bring higher earnings and greater job stability. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, getting a college degree lowers your chances of being unemployed. For instance, the overall unemployment rate is around 4.7%. Among people with bachelor’s degrees, the unemployment rate was only 3.5%.
Online education is a convenient way for many students to earn a college degree. Self-paced studies make learning even more flexible and accessible.
When you enroll in at-your-pace college classes, you can determine your schedule for completing work. For those who are self-motivated and determined, a self-paced program could be the best way to quickly earn a college degree. As soon as you master a course’s material, you can move on to the next class. Before you know it, you may be ready for graduation!
For a quality education, it’s strategic to choose regionally accredited self-paced online courses. Start exploring your options today!
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