When you're already juggling family, work, and faith, finding time to work toward a college degree may seem impossible. However, with the right online program that's aligned with your career goals, you could enjoy the flexibility you need to pursue a higher education without putting your other responsibilities on the back burner.
At Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU), our Fast Forward bachelor's degree programs offer the rigor and learning outcomes of a traditional 120-credit program — but with a faster completion time and more streamlined format.
What this means for you? You could graduate faster with purpose-built coursework, save money with fewer credit hours, and start making a difference in the workforce sooner rather than later.
IWU's wide selection of 90-credit, Fast Forward degree options give students the opportunity to save money, graduate faster, and potentially enter the workforce faster when compared to a traditional 120-credit program.
Specifically, IWU's fast track bachelor degree programs are designed to be completed with just 90 required credit hours, as opposed to 120 credit hours in a conventional college degree program. Delivered 100% online, these programs allow for easier balancing of work, school, family and other life obligations without sacrificing rigor or quality of learning.
Despite the reduced number of credit hours required to complete a fast track bachelor’s degree, it's important to understand that IWU's Fast Forward programs aren't simply about taking fewer classes. Instead, these programs are purpose-built to blend academic rigor and career-ready skills in a way that is streamlined for busy students. In other words, even though you may be taking fewer credit hours, you won't be missing out on valuable learning experiences.
Let's take a little bit closer look at how an accelerated bachelor’s degree program compares to a traditional, 120-credit program in terms of curriculum, outcomes, career readiness, and rigor.
With 30 fewer credit hours to earn before being eligible for graduation, a 90-degree bachelor's degree program typically takes a full year less to complete. This means that students can typically complete a Fast Forward bachelor’s degree online with IWU in three years instead of the four years needed to complete a 120-credit program.
Despite requiring fewer credit hours to complete, it's important for students considering a Fast Forward 90-credit degree program to understand that these programs come with the high academic standards and career outcomes as a traditional program — just with a more streamlined approach that allows students to focus on what matters most.
Even though you'll take 30 fewer credits in a three-year bachelor’s degree program, this doesn't mean that your education will be any less rigorous than a traditional bachelor’s program. In reality, credit count alone isn't a reliable indicator of program rigor, as there are many other factors that should be considered.
When an accelerated degree program is designed with targeted learning outcomes, career-ready skills, and modern workforce demands in mind, it can be just as rigorous as a traditional online bachelor’s degree program — just with a finish line that you can reach a little faster.
When accelerated college programs are thoughtfully designed, they can still be just as rigorous as any traditional 120-credit option.
At IWU, our Fast Forward 90-credit college programs offer an intentional, purpose-built curriculum that blends academic rigor, career preparation, and focused learning outcomes to streamline coursework and prepare students for the real demands of their future workforce.
Fast Forward degree programs at IWU also incorporate embedded career-ready experiences, stackable credentials, and other applied learning opportunities to help students gain practical experience that readily translates to their work post-graduation. For online students, this may even include virtual internship opportunities that not only look good on a resume, but provide students with hands-on work experience that better prepares them for their future careers.
Each of IWU's Fast Forward college majors are specifically crafted with the current and future needs of the dynamic workforce in mind. Coursework is carefully chosen and integrated to reflect the real skills that employers are looking for, preparing graduates to rise industry-specific challenges and opportunities with confidence.
While an accelerated online college degree may not be right for everybody, there are many potential reasons as to why a prospective student might opt for this degree completion path.
For many, the idea of completing a bachelor's degree in three years as opposed to four is very appealing. Not only does this mean less time spent in school, but it could also translate into earlier entry into the workforce. With a lower time to completion, students may be able to start working (and making a living) in their chosen fields sooner rather than later, gaining a competitive edge in even the most dynamic of industries.
Another potential benefit to consider when it comes to a three-year online bachelor’s degree program is cost savings. Because schools typically charge tuition by the credit hour, students may be able to save a significant amount of money by taking just 90 credits as opposed to 120 in a traditional program. The specific amount of savings may vary depending on costs per credit hour, but a fast track degree can be an excellent choice for those who are looking to spend less without sacrificing the quality of their learning or the rigor of their program.
It's also important to look at the potential benefits of a fast track education in terms of college return on investment. In addition to saving money by taking fewer credit hours, students who finish an accelerated degree may be able to enter the workforce and start reaping the financial benefits of a college degree sooner than those who opt for a 120-credit program. In this sense, they begin seeing a return on their investment in education while getting ahead in their careers.
So, who is an accelerated bachelor’s program best for? In general, IWU's Fast Forward programs are ideal for self-motivated students who are interested in completing an affordable degree online in a shorter timeframe than a conventional undergraduate degree. Due to the accelerated and streamlined nature, this type of higher education program is also best for those who are certain about their chosen path of study; it may not be ideal for those wanting to explore multiple interests or who need more time to decide on a major.
Could a 90-degree Fast Forward program be right for you? First, consider your chosen field of study. Currently, IWU offers these affordable online degree options in the following programs:
Also consider your readiness to commit to the rigor and pace of a Fast Forward degree program. Even though you'll be taking fewer credit hours in a streamlined program, you'll still need to set aside appropriate time in your schedule to complete your online coursework while balancing your other obligations.
Fortunately, IWU offers plenty of practical resources for students to help them complete their programs on time, including:
With a Christ-centered educational experience designed for students across all stages of life, IWU is proud to offer higher education innovation through our Fast Forward degree programs. If you're looking for a flexible, 100% online program that could fast track your entry into the workforce and help you realize your calling, get in touch to request more information or start your application for admission today.
Need help finding your ideal program? Explore everything IWU has to offer, from professional certificates to on-campus and online degrees, right here.
Still have questions about 90-credit-hour bachelor's degrees? We've got answers to some of our most frequently asked questions below!
A 90-credit bachelor's degree is a unique undergraduate degree that's designed to be completed with fewer total credits than the "traditional" 120-credit model. This is accomplished by creating a more focused and efficient path to graduation without sacrificing core academic and career outcomes.
No, a 90-credit degree program is not inherently less rigorous than a traditional bachelor's degree program. Ultimately, rigor boils down to the quality of the curriculum, learning outcomes, and academic expectations — not just total credit count. A well-designed 90-credit program can still require very rigorous coursework, applied learning experiences, and career-ready competencies.
In general, as long as the program builds clear and transferable workforce skills, relevant industry knowledge, and practical experience, employers are likely to respect a 90-credit degree program as much as a 120-credit program. Although employer relevance depends on what students can do with the degree, employers are more likely to focus on career readiness, skills, and capabilities than the number of credits completed.
Many students who opt for a 90-credit degree program are primarily drawn to the faster completion timeline, as well as the lower overall cost (since fewer credit hours save money). Likewise, students who complete a 90-credit program may enjoy earlier entry into the workforce, making it an especially attractive option for students who want a direct, career-focused degree path.
Yes, a 90-credit degree program can absolutely prepare students for a real career in their chosen field — assuming that the curriculum has been intentionally designed to align with employer needs and job-ready skills. The strongest programs are the ones that focus on building practical knowledge, applied experiences, and clear professional outcomes that readily translate to real-world work in the field.
Not necessarily. Some students may still prefer the broader general education or flexibility of a traditional bachelor's degree program. This may be especially true for those wanting to explore multiple interests or thinking about certain graduate school pathways. Still, a 90-credit degree program can be a viable option for those who want to minimize their time in school while enjoying earlier entry to the workforce.
