Interested in earning your bachelor's degree, but aren't sure about spending four (or more) years in a traditional undergraduate program? It may be time to explore Indiana Wesleyan University's unique Fast Forward degree offerings. With fewer credit hours than a conventional bachelor's degree program and a streamlined online experience, many students can graduate in just three years with meaningful experience and career-ready skills.
Fast Forward degrees from IWU aren't the same as other degree options you might find at another online university. Instead, these programs are built for speed and flexibility while incorporating practical, hands-on experiences that prepare graduates for the real world.
Whereas most online bachelor's degree programs require 120 credit hours, IWU's Fast Forward programs are designed to be completed with just 90 credit hours. For many students, this means the ability to earn a bachelor's degree in three years instead of four — offering the accelerated pace you want and the career relevance you need.
Fast Forward programs at IWU also offer online coursework that meshes with students' busy lifestyles. At the same time, these online classes build the real skills that employers are looking for through applied learning experiences, embedded credentials, and other portfolio-ready projects.
One of the key features of IWU's Fast Forward degrees is not just their accelerated nature, but the fact that they're offered in a 100% online format for maximum flexibility.
Earning your bachelor’s degree online gives you the freedom to work your academics into your already-busy schedule in a way that suits your unique needs. Whether you have a full-time job, a family to care for, or any other important responsibilities, the flexibility of an online college degree program supports working and adult learners every step of the way.
In all of IWU's online programs (including our Fast Forward degree options), there are no prescribed dates and times for class sessions. Instead, each class session or "workshop" lasts seven days. At any point during those seven days, students log into their IWU Online accounts to participate in their class discussions, activities, and assignments — allowing for maximum flexibility and convenience for those with busy schedules.
At the same time, opting for a flexible degree program doesn't mean missing out on a quality education or academic rigor. All of IWU's online Fast Forward degree programs are thoughtfully designed with the unique needs of the modern workforce in mind. With embedded career-ready experiences, stackable credentials, and plenty of opportunities for applied learning, students can enjoy the flexibility they need without lowering their expectations.
Speaking of "stackable credentials," these are carefully built into every Fast Forward program at IWU to better prepare students for their entry to the workforce while building confidence.
Micro-credentials and certificates are integrated into IWU's Fast Forward programs, allowing students to add real skills and qualifications to their resumes before they even earn a degree. These stackable credentials help students build momentum throughout their program while sharpening skills and concepts explored throughout the curriculum.
Plus, when students have the ability to earn micro-credentials as they work their way through a Fast Forward program, they build momentum by meeting exciting milestones along the way.
When students graduate from an IWU Fast Forward program, employers see not only that they have earned a college degree — but the stackable credentials and skills they gained throughout their studies. This gradual progress demonstrates a dedication to improvement for potential employers that could help graduates differentiate themselves in a competitive job market.
In IWU's three-year online bachelor’s degree programs, students don't just go through the motions of completing coursework. Instead, they engage in career-ready projects that prepare them for modern workforce demands.
In each of our Fast Forward undergraduate degree programs, students engage in applied assignments that connect practical learning to real work in their chosen fields. By going beyond simply completing courses, students can build skills and credentials that prepare them for professional settings.
Also built into IWU's Fast Forward degree programs online are unique, portfolio-building experiences — including stackable credentials and even virtual internship opportunities that strengthen career readiness while demonstrating progress and building confidence.
Finally, the projects and other deliverables that students complete in a Fast Forward degree program are designed to build the real skills and competencies that graduates will need in their future work. When class projects double as real-world proof points, graduates walk into portfolio reviews and job interviews with tangible work to show, not just coursework to describe.
A fulfilling academic experience isn't just about checking off courses on a program of study, but about building real skills and competencies that apply to your field of study. In a Fast Forward degree program at IWU, students make meaningful connections to their current and/or future roles with every assignment and course completed.
The curricula in each of IWU's affordable online degree programs are carefully developed to reflect the skills and knowledge employers are looking for in today's workforce. Through cultivated coursework and applied learning experiences, students gain valuable skills that they can showcase in their portfolios, in job interviews, and in their professional roles.
Students in a Fast Forward degree program also demonstrate readiness to tackle industry challenges and opportunities through class projects, ranging from meaningful group work to real-world simulations and artifacts. Many students find that the artifacts and deliverables they create as part of their assigned coursework can be used in their future portfolios to build credibility and prepare for entry into their chosen fields.
Through curricula that connect coursework to professional work, students in an IWU Fast Forward program enjoy the career-focused nature of their academic experience. For current working professionals, career changers, and other aspiring learners, IWU's unique learning model prepares graduates for purposeful work.
Is a 90-credit degree program right for you? While there is no "one-size-fits-all" criteria for a three-year bachelor’s degree, there are a few types of learners who tend to thrive in this type of program most.
If you're looking for an accelerated bachelor’s degree program with a more streamlined and efficient path to graduation, then a Fast Forward degree could be right for you. In these programs, you'll enjoy the ability to earn your degree in just three years instead of four — all while taking fewer credit hours and saving on your education expenses along the way.
A fast track bachelor’s degree may also be an excellent choice for working adults, career changers, and other goal-oriented learners who want to advance their education without putting their lives on hold. With flexible online courses, IWU's Fast Forward programs make it possible to work toward a degree without the hassle of commuting to campus or committing to a set class schedule.
If you think an accelerated degree could be right for you, take the time to ask yourself a few important questions before you decide:
With stackable credentials, applied learning experiences, and unrivaled flexibility, IWU's Fast Forward degrees deliver the streamlined learning experience and academic rigor you may be looking for in an online degree program. Interested in learning more? Get in touch or check out our current Fast Forward degree programs offered, including:
You can also explore the many other programs IWU has to offer on campus and online. Ready to take the next step? Start your application for admission now!
Explore answers to some of our most commonly asked questions about IWU's Fast Forward degree programs below!
There's a lot that sets an IWU Fast Forward degree apart from other accelerated programs, starting with the flexible 100% online delivery format that's ideal for busy students. Our Fast Forward programs also include embedded micro-credentials and applied project work, which is designed to help students move efficiently from enrollment to career preparation.
"Stackable credentials" in an IWU Fast Forward program refers to students' ability to earn smaller credentials (such as certificates and micro-credentials) as part of their larger degree pathways. These milestones demonstrate progress, build confidence, and can provide added resume value ahead of graduation.
Yes, all Fast Forward degree programs at IWU are offered in a 100% online format with no on-campus components. These programs are specifically modeled around online learning, making them ideal for students who need flexibility while balancing work, family, or other responsibilities.
Career-ready projects, including hands-on and applied learning experiences, give students the opportunity to connect what they learn in the virtual classroom to the kinds of skills employers want to see. With these experiences, students may be able to build out their portfolios and even prepare for future job interviews with greater confidence.
A Fast Forward degree can be a great choice for students who value flexibility while still wanting a focused and career-oriented academic pathway. Ideally, students in this type of program are also highly self-motivated and able to move efficiently through a structured online program with the right resources.
No, embedded credentials (such as micro-credentials and certificates) are not meant to replace a degree. Instead, they are built into the degree path with the primary purpose of strengthening the overall program and giving students meaningful progress markers along the way.
The Fast Forward degree model helps connect students' academic experiences to their future work by focusing on building career-ready skills, gaining practical experience with hands-on projects, and obtaining credentials that make it easier to demonstrate their competence in the modern workforce. Rather than simply completing a sequence of coursework, students in this type of program are truly preparing for their future careers every step of the way.
