According to the National Center for Education Statistics, students 30 and older take an average of 162 months to earn a bachelor's degree. If you've been considering a return to school but aren't sure about juggling the responsibilities of your professional life with academics, Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) is here to help. With accelerated online programs for busy professionals, we empower students to earn their degrees faster while enjoying the convenience of working at their own pace.
If you're thinking about returning to school to advance your education and build career-ready skills, an accelerated online program could be a good fit for your busy lifestyle.
Accelerated degree programs allow you to complete your degree and begin applying your specialized skills and knowledge professionally in a shorter timeframe compared to traditional programs.
Plus, because an online accelerated program offers the flexibility you need to complete your studies on your own time, you may be better able to juggle your many responsibilities as a working student without putting your education on hold. With the right time management for students, this improved work-life study balance could make all the difference for busy professionals looking to advance their education.
Also consider how earning an accelerated degree in less time could save you money by allowing you to spend fewer semesters in school.
At IWU, our accelerated programs are designed with easy credit transfer in mind. This means that if you have already completed some college courses that are relevant to the degree you're pursuing, you may be able to apply those credits to your accelerated degree and complete your program even sooner.
Even if you don't have direct transfer credits to apply, you can use a prior learning assessment (PLA) to determine your eligibility for credit based on your own work experience and training. Our academic advisors can help you through every step of the credit evaluation process to maximize your transfer credits and help you earn your degree as efficiently as possible.
IWU is proud to offer an innovative, eight-week model for many of its online and accelerated programs. Although the pace is more rigorous, this unique structure allows students to work towards their degrees more efficiently than a "traditional" 16-week semester while engaging in project-based online courses along the way.
Under IWU's eight-week model, students take one course at a time, with each course designed to last for eight weeks. Students can immerse themselves in one course at a time, allowing for an accelerated and in-depth exploration of the material.
Throughout the program, students enjoy the same level of support they would in a traditional degree program, including regular office hours with professors/instructors and available academic advising.
Through IWU's user-friendly and accessible Brightspace online learning platform, students can log in to their accounts and access accelerated course material in seven-day increments. This asynchronous learning model allows them to work at their own pace around their busy lives. Meanwhile, thanks to IWU's mobile-friendly LMS, students can access their accounts and complete their coursework from just about anywhere.
One IWU online student, Jana Heider, shares her experience as a graduate, a current student, and a busy working mom:
“IWU has helped me balance work, life, and school with its flexible online programs. As a graduate and current student, they make it manageable to do it all as a working mom. My favorite features are the asynchronous courses and focusing on one course at a time. I can log in to Brightspace after my son is in bed, early morning before work, or on the weekends to complete my assignments. Earning my degree online with IWU allowed me to accomplish my goals while not sacrificing the quality or faith-based education I desired.”
Meanwhile, Brandon Elder explains what it's like to be a military student at IWU and how he has felt supported and encouraged along the way:
“As a military student, I’ve had an exceptional experience with the faculty at Indiana Wesleyan University. The professors show a genuine willingness to help, offering guidance and encouragement whenever I’ve needed it. Their feedback is always constructive and tailored to my goals, helping me grow both academically and professionally. I’ve felt respected and supported throughout my journey, and their understanding of the unique challenges military students face has made a real difference. IWU’s faculty truly go above and beyond to be the hands and feet of Jesus and ensure student success. I’m grateful to be part of a Christian university that values service and education so deeply.”
From busy working moms to military service members, IWU strives to provide all of its students with the resources and guidance they need to thrive.
As you read about both Jana and Brandon's experiences at IWU, you'll notice some common threads. For starters, both students express their gratitude for having found the faith-based education they had been seeking. At IWU, our faith-based curriculum plays a central role in the development of our students — because we believe that education isn't just about learning, but transformation.
Meanwhile, Jana shares the integral role that having access to a flexible, online education played in her journey toward earning her degree as a working mom. She appreciates that she was able to use IWU's responsive LMS platform to complete her assignments anywhere and at any time.
As a military student, Brandon found comfort in the guidance and encouragement he received from his professors and faculty, explaining how he felt supported and respected through every stage of his journey. At IWU, we believe in setting all of our students up for success with tailored services and resources, including free student success coaching and other academic support (like an online tutoring and writing center).
While completing an accelerated degree program does mean a more rigorous course load, there are some practical strategies you can follow to make the most of your time in school. First, make sure to maximize your transfer credits as much as possible, drawing on previously completed college classes, exam scores, and relevant work experience.
Next, rely on your advisor to help you map out your degree so you know exactly which classes you'll be taking when. From there, it's all about putting your self-discipline and time management skills to the test. The curriculum of an accelerated program is rigorous, so you'll need to stay motivated and keep yourself on track by getting into a regular study routine, being mindful of class deadlines, and setting aside enough time for your studies and assignments.
Interested in exploring IWU online degrees that are offered at an accelerated pace? Speaking with one of our academic advisors is the easiest way to determine which programs offer an accelerated option, and your eligibility for transfer credits.
An experienced and knowledgeable academic advisor can also help you plan out the fastest route to help you graduate with your degree as quickly as possible. This may include reviewing any credits you have previously earned at another school to determine whether they might transfer to your accelerated program, as IWU students can transfer anywhere from 30 percent to 75 percent of their required credits (depending on whether you're enrolling in an undergraduate or graduate program).
Consider whether you may have any exam-based credits from high school that can be transferred. Previous Advanced Placement (AP) and similar classes could help you avoid taking some general education classes.
If you have relevant work or training experience that relates to a course required as part of your accelerated degree program, speak with an advisor about the possibility of earning credit. When this is possible, students will be asked to prepare a portfolio that demonstrates their relevant experience for transfer credit.
With a clearer understanding of your transferable credits, you and your advisor can develop a precise degree plan. This will include a schedule of your classes and an estimated graduation date.
Not sure how you'll pay for college? There are many options to make your education more affordable, beginning with federal aid. To determine your eligibility for things like subsidized loans and federal grants, complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the posted deadline. Completing a FAFSA for working adults is critical if you want to be considered for any type of federal aid.
In addition to federal aid, IWU offers payment plans for college that can help you break up your expenses into smaller and more manageable installments. We also offer scholarships for adult students and other financial aid, so be sure to explore your options!
If you're currently employed, be sure to check with your HR department about any available employer tuition assistance or repayment programs that might be available. If offered by your employer, this can be a great way to offset some (or all) of your education costs.
While earning a degree does not guarantee you a specific job in your field, studies have shown that degree holders typically have an easier time finding work than non-degree holders and have higher lifetime earning potential.
Based on data from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), professionals with at least a bachelor's degree tend to have lower unemployment rates than non-degree holders.
For example, in August of 2025, the unemployment rate for high school graduates with no college degree was 4.3 percent nationwide, compared to just 2.7 percent for those with a bachelor's degree or higher education.
According to the Education Data Initiative, "an average bachelor's degree has a 681.95% lifetime return on investment, with a median lifetime return of 1,041.85%."
Meanwhile, the median master's degree has a net ROI of $83,000, according to the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity.
Why delay your online bachelor’s completion? IWU offers accelerated programs to help you get the ball rolling and start applying those career-focused skills sooner rather than later. Get in touch to learn more about our accelerated programs and the resources available to our online students. Eager to take the next step? Complete your online application here!
