What Are Online Degree Completion Programs?

Earning a bachelor’s degree can be beneficial. Not only can it give you an advantage when it comes to the types of jobs you qualify for, but it’s also been shown to lead to higher earning potential and lower unemployment rates [1]. Plus, occupations in the US that require more education are expected to grow, which can lead to more opportunities and even job stability over time [2]. 

There may be circumstances where you start a bachelor’s degree program—or even an associate degree program with the intention of continuing on to your bachelor’s—and find that you’re unable to finish because of work commitments, family responsibilities, finances, or personal reasons. In those instances, an online degree completion program may be useful to consider if you don’t want to start over. 

Explore more about online degree completion programs, how they can help you finish your degree, the benefits of signing up, and possible costs to consider. 

What are online degree completion programs?

Online degree completion programs are bachelor’s degree programs that take your prior learning into account. They are intended for adult and returning students who began a degree program and could not finish. 

Online degree completion programs often allow you to transfer some or all of the previous college credits you’ve earned, so you don’t have to start from the beginning. Instead, in many instances, you can pick up where you left off and earn your bachelor’s degree quickly. 

As the name suggests, you’ll take your classes entirely online—either synchronously or asynchronously—and work to complete the remaining credits needed to graduate. Universities and colleges design these programs to support you in completing your degree in a flexible way around other commitments. 

Who are online degree completion programs for?

Online degree completion programs are for students who have acquired some college credit but have not earned a formal bachelor’s degree. In other words, they are usually a good fit for students who have taken time away from their learning and who have earned some college credit, including up to an associate degree.  

The program ultimately aims to assist adult and returning students in completing their bachelor’s degree. You can transfer your previously earned credits to the online completion program, though the number of credits will depend on the online completion program you’re interested in. 

Types of online degree completion programs

Typically, when you enroll in a bachelor’s degree program, you’ll select a subject matter to major in. Some majors, like computer science or journalism, may even require that you formally apply because the departments housing these majors have limited spots available and cannot accommodate all interested students. 

In a bachelor’s completion program, you may not have access to the same volume of majors. Instead, you often either choose from a general studies or liberal arts degree, bolstering your knowledge about a wide range of subjects, or you’ll choose a concentration from one of a few select areas, which tend to be practical and applicable to a wide range of careers. 

Examples of completion degree concentrations include: 

• Leadership and management

• Social science

• Health care management

• Early childhood studies

• Business studies

• Cybersecurity analysis

• Information technology

• Criminal justice

• Psychology

• Sociology

• Marketing

A bachelor’s degree typically takes 120 credits or between four and five years to earn. The length of time it takes to earn your bachelor’s completion degree will be shorter but will ultimately depend on the number of credits you transfer. Some programs also stipulate minimum transfer credit requirements, so it’s a good idea to review each online completion program for specifics.  

3 benefits of a degree completion program

Earning your bachelor’s degree through an online degree completion program has many benefits. Let’s review some of them. 

1. Flexibility

Online degree completion programs appeal to returning students because of their flexibility. Unlike in-person programs that require you to be on campus for set times, you can take your coursework online around your other commitments. 

Also, in many instances, you can complete your education anywhere without being required to relocate—or restricted to the place you started. 

2. Online format

Online study is accommodating, allowing you to study anywhere without relocating or leaving home. Online degrees also incorporate a range of learning materials and styles, including live and recorded lectures, workshops, presentations, and feedback. Plus, there are still opportunities to communicate and network with your peers and faculty members. 

3. Range of available majors

Degree completion programs offer a range of practical concentrations, making it possible to complete your bachelor’s degree in an in-demand subject and gain specialized knowledge to benefit your career. 

4. Accelerated graduation

Rather than starting over, you may find that you can graduate within two or three years (depending on how many credits you’re able to transfer), thereby speeding up the time it takes to finish your bachelor’s degree. 

Other factors to consider in an online completion degree

While there are a number of benefits to finishing your degree, it’s also important to consider the following factors. 

Can you find the best concentration for your needs? 

Having a bachelor’s degree can be useful, but you also want to make sure what you’re learning will be beneficial for your personal growth and professional career. Conduct an internet search for bachelor’s completion programs and make a list of the ones that seem like good fits—both in terms of their credit transfer policy and the concentrations they offer. 

You may have started a degree that you can’t find listed as a completion program. Can you find a concentration that’s close to what you’d like to study? If not, applying as a transfer student to a four-year college may open up your choices, but you may have to retake some of your coursework or complete certain general education requirements. 

What programs will maximize your transfer credits? 

Each school will have its own requirements for an online degree completion course, specifically around credit transfers. Some institutions will transfer up to 90 credits (out of the full 120 for a bachelor’s degree), while others will only transfer between 45 and 60 [3, 4]. As you research programs, pay attention to the requirements around transferring credits so you can maximize your learning—and accelerate your time to completion. 

What is the level of support offered?

If you’re returning to a degree program after being out of school for some time, it’s important to pay attention to the level of support available to you. Look at individual programs to see what kind of resources are available, including admissions counselors, office hours, career placement services, alumni networks, and more. 

Can you manage your time?

Unless you plan to pause your other responsibilities and return to school, juggling a career, family, and a degree requires excellent time management. Make sure you have systems in place to allow you to set realistic goals and create a study-focused environment. Ensure you have a supportive network and are honest with your employer about the extra time a degree will take.

Learn more: 13 Tips for Working Full-Time and Going to School

How to apply for an online degree completion program

To find relevant online degree programs, begin by conducting an internet search. You can start with a general query like “bachelor’s completion programs” or get more specific if you know you want to study a certain subject. 

Begin a list of programs that seem like a good fit, paying attention to their concentrations offered, transfer credit policy, and support. Many online completion programs hold information sessions, webinars, or provide admissions counseling to prospective students, and you may want to take advantage of these resources as you set about deciding which one will work best for your needs. 

Once you decide on the program you’d like to start, review their admissions criteria. Some require a formal application, which will detail what you need to apply—like previous transcripts (so the program can evaluate what credits you’ve earned), letters of recommendation, and more. 

Complete your degree through Coursera.

Completing your degree can be fulfilling on a personal and professional level. You’ll find bachelor’s completion programs available through Coursera, like the University of North Texas’ Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences (BAAS) or Illinois Tech’s Bachelor of Information Technology. Both offer flexible learning options and in-demand concentrations to make completing your degree more career-forward.