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15 Fastest Online Master’s Degrees

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Updated: December 4, 2024, Reading time: 20 minutes

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FASTEST ONLINE MASTER'S DEGREESFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSKEY TAKEAWAYS

Master’s degrees are one of the keys in unlocking jobs that pay an annual salary of $100,000 and above. These jobs include statisticians, electrical and software engineers, business and finance executives, and nursing practitioners, to name a few.

Online accelerated master’s degree programs provide a faster way in pursuing high-paying careers. They provide students with the opportunity to save time and money due to their shorter time to completion. These programs are popular among

Fastest Online Master's Degrees - fact

These online accelerated master’s degree programs provide students with the opportunity to save time and money due to their shorter time to completion. The shorter the program, the lower the total cost of attendance!

Many of these programs also have reduced application and tuition fees, allow transfer of credits from academic, work, and life experiences, and offer scholarship support programs. They also don’t differentiate between on-campus and online curricula, meaning the diploma and official transcripts for both formats are the same.

In this article, we will highlight and explain the top 15 online accelerated master’s degree programs for 2025. We’ll cover what each program involves, the best schools that offer them, average yearly salaries for graduates, and the job outlook in those fields. This will help you determine which online accelerated master’s degree best suits your interests and professional goals.

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Grad School Center is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

FASTEST ONLINE MASTER’S DEGREES

Master of Science in Computer Science

Experts in computer science will always have a place in the fast-changing digital age, thanks to their ability to push industry-changing innovations! Their expertise includes preventing cyberattacks, promoting cybersecurity systems, and even predicting catastrophic events across sectors. Most of them have an MS in Computer Science degree, enabling them to compete for plum management positions and research opportunities. 

MS in Computer Science programs provide students with advanced learning in computer science and technology theories, principles, and applications. 

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Master of Science in Nursing

Students in MSN programs pursue an advanced nursing degree in preparation for multiple career paths in nursing. Graduates can become nursing practitioners in healthcare settings and educators in undergraduate programs, and community nurses. Regardless of the career path chosen, MSN degree holders are sought-after healthcare professionals due to their technical expertise. 

While the curriculum varies between programs and concentrations, the typical coursework covers advanced roles and research in nursing, differential diagnostics, alternative therapies, and primary care management. 

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Master of Arts in Public Relations

Public relations professionals are experts in creating and managing the reputations, images, and brands of individuals, groups, and organizations. Their clients include public and private organizations, government agencies, corporate businesses, and non-profit organizations. While a bachelor’s degree and work experience may be sufficient, an MA in Public Relations degree will boost your opportunities for leadership positions. 

Contemporary MA in Public Relations programs focus more on non-traditional branding methods, a development partly caused by the age of social media. Students learn broad skill sets that enable them to be on top of the trends while being consummate professionals, and these skills include organization, communication, and critical thinking skills. Over time, they also become adept at public speaking with proficient writing skills, to boot. 

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Master of Science in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity professionals are experts at preventing cybersecurity breaches, identifying online threats, and mitigating cybersecurity attacks. Due to the increasing reliance on high-tech computer infrastructure among industries, particularly in day-to-day operations, they are sought-after professionals. The MS in Cybersecurity degree is an excellent stepping stone toward management positions in cybersecurity. 

Many programs prefer applicants with bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity, computer science and software engineering, among other related fields. But applicants with strong STEM backgrounds in their undergraduate studies are welcome to apply. 

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Master of Healthcare Administration

Students in the best and fastest MHA programs prepare for high-level leadership positions in many healthcare settings. Their broad education in advanced finance, management, and information technology courses serve as their foundation toward becoming experts in their fields. When combined with extensive work experience and a strong work ethic, their graduate degree will also put them at an advantage for management positions. 

Once in leadership positions, MHA degree holders plan, organize and lead healthcare-related services in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes, among other settings. 

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Master of Science in Nonprofit Management

Do good and do well. This may well be the motto and motivation for students pursuing a degree in MS in Nonprofit Management, and it means helping people while earning a good salary. Beyond the financial benefits, however, professionals in non-profit management report high job satisfaction due to the personal fulfillment they enjoy. 

Holders of MS in Nonprofit Management degrees find lucrative jobs in diverse settings, too, in non-profit organizations and government agencies. The best positions include program coordinators, executive directors, and development directors, but note that these plum positions come with extensive work experience. 

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Master of Science in International Business

MS in International Business professionals are skilled in managing multinational enterprises and navigating the complexities of global markets. With an international perspective, graduates apply business principles in diverse global settings, benefiting corporations, government agencies, and nonprofits.

The curriculum includes business economics, marketing, finance, business management, and international relations with a global focus. Leadership skills such as communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability are developed to address international business challenges.

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Master of Public Health

Public health professionals are influential individuals due to their ability to identify and address healthcare challenges in communities. Their interdisciplinary expertise spans community medicine, epidemiology and environmental health, and nutrition and dietetics. Their expert abilities also extend to the conduct of extensive research studies about public health, from community malnutrition to pandemics. 

Among their credentials is a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree that enables them to be effective professionals in their communities and organizations. Government agencies, non-profit organizations, and community-centric entities are among their employers, and their duties include the design, implementation and assessment of public health programs.  

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Master of Science in Information Technology

Students in the best accelerated online MS in Information Technology (MSIT) programs adopt an interdisciplinary mindset that combines information technology, business management, and communication. As IT professionals in management positions, graduates create, implement, and evaluate technology-based solutions to improve their performance and profits. The tools at their disposal include software programs, computer systems, and networks designed to store, distribute and secure relevant information. 

The courses can be categorized into two, namely, network-oriented and object-oriented design courses. Network-oriented courses include virtualization, cloud services, and hosting, which are concerned with telecommunications applications in business. Object-oriented design courses are concerned with design concepts and algorithms used to develop and evaluate the software. 

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Master of Arts/Science in Management

MA and MS in Management programs are designed for recent college graduates with little to no management experience but who want to launch their management careers. Even non-business undergraduate degree holders are eligible to apply to these graduate programs! Many students have majored in the social sciences and humanities but thrive in these programs due to their transferable skills, such as communication and critical thinking skills. 

The coursework is designed to establish a sound theoretical and practical grounding in business to ensure that students’ management knowledge and skills are up to standards. Their desirable traits include an enquiring mind, an analytical approach to problems, and strategic reasoning. It also covers topics on management theory and its real-world applications, marketing and information systems, among others.

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Master of Arts in Educational Psychology

Educational psychologists develop instructional curriculum and their related learning materials intended to improve students’ academic performance. Their expertise is in studying how people learn, from their influences and motivations to their challenges. Their MA in Educational Psychology is the foundation for their expertise, work experience, and passion for their profession. 

Students study the principles, theories, and practices in advanced psychology, including the effective approaches to instruction and learning. Neuroscience is a big part of advanced psychology and, thus, students must be prepared to tackle such a highly scientific subject. 

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Master of Science in Accountancy

Professionals with the MS in Accountancy degree don’t just deal with contemporary accounting principles and practices but must also be aware of digital trends affecting their profession. Blockchain technology, big data, and artificial intelligence are among the biggest digital trends impacting the accounting industry. Indeed, the graduate degree is valuable for career advancement purposes, but it’s just a stepping stone – accountancy is a profession that demands lifelong learning! 

Applicants without a baccalaureate degree in accounting are welcome to apply in MS in Accountancy programs but are well-advised to gain the foundational knowledge. These programs focus on the more advanced – and current – theories, principles, and practices of accounting as applicable in diverse fields. Accounting in government, non-profit and corporate organizations are discussed in-depth, including their current issues, concerns and directions.

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Master of Science in Finance

MS in Finance degree programs provide their students with specialized training in investment banking, corporate finance, and private wealth management. Most programs also meet the 150 semester hours of post-secondary training for licensure as a certified public accountant (CPA).

With a myriad of issues related to finance, from private wealth management scams to global recession, students in MS in Finance programs must be updated about current events. Their academic coursework will make more sense when the courses can be connected to real-life situations and applied to real-world issues. These connections are vital in understanding the critical roles that finance experts assume in society! 

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Master of Science in Public Safety

Effective and efficient administrators are necessary for many public safety organizations, including government agencies, emergency management agencies, and disaster relief organizations. The field of public safety is also one of the “do good, do well” professions that combine lucrative job opportunities with a strong sense of social responsibility. Jobs in law enforcement, environmental protection, and occupational health are life-saving occupations. 

MS in Public Safety programs provide students with intensive training in public safety administration theories, principles, and practices. The student body in this program is as diverse as the occupations that graduates are qualified for—from public safety professionals who want career advancement; professionals without work experience who want a career change; and even new graduates with little work experience. Interested individuals should choose the program according to their credentials and career aspirations – some may require work experience while others don’t. 

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Master of Education/Master of Science in Special Education

Holders of an MEd or MSc in Special Education have diverse employment opportunities in K-12 schools and public and private institutions providing services to individuals with special needs. Their clients include students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), individuals with behavioral disorders, and learners with Down syndrome. Their professional expertise enables them to assist their clients in improving their quality of life in general and learning performance in particular. 

Note that programs prepare non-teaching professionals to earn their initial teaching license. There are also programs aimed at licensed teachers who specialize in special education. Be sure to ask about the licensure requirements so you will enroll in the appropriate program for your current status and future career aspirations. 

The coursework covers differentiated instruction, inclusive classroom design, and learning and language disabilities interventions. Special education policy, autism spectrum disorders, behavioral analysis, dyslexia, and reading disabilities are common courses. 

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Despite limited growth, about 35,900 special education teacher openings are projected annually, primarily due to workers leaving the field or retiring.

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What are the main characteristics of a fast-track master's degree program? 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the main characteristics of a fast-track master’s degree program?

These graduate programs are characterized by their flexibility and convenience, making them attractive to traditional and non-traditional candidates. Many of these programs also have an easier admission process, particularly the minimum academic requirements. 

Of course, their best characteristic is the shorter time-to-completion which can be as little as six months!

How many months can these programs be completed?

Many programs can be completed in 6-9 months, but these are among the most demanding programs for obvious reasons. These accelerated programs then only work for a select few individuals and, thus, these are selective in their admissions. The more common – and more realistic and attainable – accelerated programs have between 12 and 18 months time-to-completion. 

How does online accelerated master’s degree courses work?

The courses in accelerated programs last between four and eight weeks long, but six-week accelerated courses are more typical due to their condensed format. Students in eight-week courses take six credit hours per term, meaning two courses each term, for six terms (fall, spring, and summer). But students in six-week courses progress through the program even faster!

What can I expect from an accelerated online master’s degree?

Many one-year graduate degree programs have a non-thesis format and, thus, allow students to earn the degree within the allotted time. Instead of a thesis, students will be required to complete a capstone project and an internship period. 

And then there are the accelerated 4+1 degree programs that allow students to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in five calendar years. The typical time to completion when earning both degrees in separate programs is six years, minimum, meaning a one-year saving. The accelerated format is possible because credits, usually six credits or more, are shared between the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. 

What are the major benefits of these programs?

Whether you choose the 4+1 degree programs or the standalone master’s degree programs, you will enjoy these benefits. 

What are the major challenges that interested individuals must take into consideration?

Accelerated graduate degree programs are among the toughest programs! You must be driven and determined, with effective study habits and exceptional time management skills if you want to earn your graduate degree within schedule. You will face these challenges and deal with them in an adult manner: 

How can you start an accelerated online program?

First, you must research the admission requirements, learning outcomes, and curriculum of the programs you’re interested in. You will be able to set realistic expectations about the demands on your time, energy, and money that these programs have in your future. You should check the official website, ask the admission officer, and seek current students and alumni information. 

Second, you should talk to your family and friends about your plans. The stronger your support network, the higher your chances of maintaining your sanity during your studies! Their assistance, which can be financial and non-financial, will be valuable in your ability to maintain a good work-life-studies balance.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Before you look at master’s degree programs, you must be aware of the risks and rewards that come with it and, in doing so, appreciate the entire picture.

A master’s degree costs $62,820 on average, but it can be lower for a master’s in education ($44,640) and higher for a master’s in arts ($71,140). On the other hand, the average debt incurred by holders of master’s degrees is $84,203 upon graduation, of which 14.3% was from their undergraduate study. These numbers point to the rising student debt loans that impact students’ financial, physical and mental health.

When you factor in the possible career advancement opportunities, including the financial and non-financial benefits of a master’s degree, it seems worth every penny! Holders of master’s degrees earn $1,737 in median weekly earnings, or $244 more than their counterparts with bachelor’s degrees, and enjoy a lower unemployment rate at 2.0%.

There’s also another piece of good news: You will find plenty of fields of study where earning a master’s degree is possible in less than two years, the typical time-to-completion in traditional programs.

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FASTEST ONLINE MASTER'S DEGREESFREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSKEY TAKEAWAYS