What is an accelerated major at CSU?

While the typical college journey can take 4-5 years (depending on your major of choice), an accelerated major allows you to complete your degree by the end of your third year. You’ll take the same number of credits and attend the same courses and labs as the standard timeline, but you’ll add a few classes during summers to wrap things up early.

Some things to consider when choosing an accelerated program

There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing an accelerated program. First, you’ll need to be sure your program of choice has an accelerated option. See below for your options. If it does, you’ll need to be prepared to commit to your major, which can mean you won’t have the opportunity to explore majors in your first year.

Second, you’ll need to make sure you can stay at Colorado State through several summer sessions. You’ll need to consider summer housing and ensure you’re prepared to take a few summer classes throughout your college journey. Preparing for the financial side of this path is important — summer tuition, fees, and other related expenses play a big role.

What are the advantages of accelerated majors?

While your college timeline looks different, and you’ll have to keep up with the rigor of a year-round academic calendar, there are some big wins when it comes to choosing and completing an accelerated program at CSU.

• First, let’s talk about summer. Many summer classes are offered online, making the accelerated programs option flexible. Also, summer is a great time to take part in hands-on, high-impact activities like research, study abroad, field studies, or internships, if your major offers them.
• Graduating early means you get into your career or graduate school early, giving you a jump-start on your future.
• Graduating early also means you might be able to reduce your overall cost of attendance.
• You’ll have a unique and challenging journey that will make you appealing to employers and will communicate your internal drive toward success and achievement. Don’t underestimate what “I earned my four-year degree in three years” can say for you in a job interview!