How long will it take to earn a college degree?

A lot of people share the concern that it might take a long time to complete a college degree. It doesn't have to! There are many options that will help you complete your degree within a reasonable amount of time, and EMU can help you do that.

At the same time, it is important to keep in mind that a college degree is a serious investment in your future, and it does require a substantial commitment of effort and time on your part. While there are many options, there are no "shortcuts" to this valuable, life-changing accomplishment. Trust us, you will find it worthwhile--and you will enjoy the tremendous satisfaction and benefits of becoming a college graduate and an EMU alumnus. And, EMU faculty and staff will be there, all along the way, to provide support, assistance and encouragement!

How do I know how long it will take me to finish my undergraduate degree?

The short answer is that it depends on you:

  • If you have pre-existing college credit, you might be able to finish your degree in as little as one or two years. EMU offers flexible scheduling, accelerated classes, online classes, and off-campus classes to fit your busy schedule. Under specific circumstances, you may also be able to earn college credit based on a substantial, verifiable professional portfolio.
  • If you are starting from the beginning, with little or no existing college credit, most undergraduate programs can be completed in four years of full-time study--or even less, if you take classes year-round. And YES, there are many successful students who work and also take classes full-time.
  • Part-time study is also a very common practice among EMU students, and in this case, it might take a bit longer to finish your degree. You can develop a personalized plan with the help of your academic adviser, and work toward your degree within a timeline that YOU choose. You may want to consider adding some accelerated and online classes to your plan, so you can complete your degree more quickly.
  • Be aware that no matter what path you choose at EMU, you will be in good company! EMU's 23,000 students come from around the globe, and you will be sure to find many who share your personal, educational, and economic circumstances. You will also contribute to the valuable diversity of our University community.
  • We recommend that you schedule an appointment with an adviser, who can evaluate your personal circumstances and give you a clearer idea of how quickly you can complete a bachelor's degree at EMU. Call 734.487.2170 for more information.
How long will it take me to complete a graduate degree (master's, specialist, or doctorate)?

Once again, it depends on you. However, there are more specific guidelines for the length of time it can take to complete a graduate degree:

  • Full-time enrollment generally enables completion of a master’s degree in 2 years, graduate certificate in one year, specialist or doctoral degree in 4 years.
  • Part-time enrollment is the most common for graduate students. 80% of EMU’s 4,600 graduate students are working on their degree part-time. The allowed time-to-degree (longest you can take to complete a graduate degree withou repeating any of the requirements) is:
    • 3 years for a graduate certificate
    • 6 years for a master’s or specialist degree
    • 7 years for a doctoral degree

For more information about graduate degrees at EMU, click this link.

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