Common Question: How Quickly Can I Earn My Degree?

One of the many reasons students take online classes is for the flexibility it provides for those working a full time job and to take a “full load” of classes to graduate sooner.  One of the best aspects of taking online classes through UMass: the option to take classes as slowly or quickly as you like. Depending on students’ schedules and workload capacity, a full course load of six classes could be possible. If you know that you have a busy season coming up at work, perhaps a two class schedule makes more sense.

There are a few things to consider when registering for the number of classes per semester. Please find a checklist of things to contemplate before you decide below.

• Full time job: If you have a full time job consider the amount of free time you have to devote to your studies. Perhaps two classes per semester will be more manageable.
   
• Career change: If you are considering a total career change that requires you to earn a different degree you might want to consider taking a full load of classes to finish your degree quicker. This way you can start looking for jobs in your new field even sooner.
   
• Cost: If taking fewer classes over time in more manageable, consider taking a class or two at a time and secure a full or part-time job to help make up the difference.

Whether students take six classes a semester or two, the quality of education they are receiving is equally extraordinary as the professors who teach every class are experts and innovators in their respective fields. Professors at UMass are internationally recognized, including winners of the world's most prestigious awards, including the Pulitzer Prize, Nobel Prize, National Book Award for Poetry, and the Draper Award in Engineering.

If online learning is of interest to you please visit the Degree Listings page for more information on selections that might interest you.