Waubonsee Community College's new accelerated degree program, Fast Track: A Quality Education for the Motivated Student, will allow students to complete their associate's degree in one-half of the standard time.

The Fast Track program at Waubonsee offers an option, which allows students to earn the Associate in Science (AS) degree with a business emphasis, or complete the general education and additional college requirements for the Associate in Arts (AA) and Associate in Science (AS) degrees. For the AS, business emphasis option, students can complete the majority of transfer degree course requirements within a one-year time frame through intensive daytime courses.

Dr. Deborah Lovingood, WCC Vice President for Educational Affairs, said, "The Fast Track program is designed as a flexible scheduling option that will make education more accessible to our students. We have designed the program to meet the needs of both our full-time and our part-time students."

"Fast Track will give students additional scheduling options," said Lovingood. "It will give them more flexibility."

The courses required for completion of the Associate of Arts or the Associate of Science degree are offered in 11 daytime terms spanning a 12-month period. Students who enter with college-level skills are able to take two classes during each of the 11 terms to complete the 64 credits required for the degree. Each of these 11 time periods fall within the existing academic calendar for the fall, spring, and summer semesters.

The Fast Track program also appeals to the evening (part-time students). This option allows for students to complete their degree in two years (one-half the current time for a part-time evening student). Students who choose the evening option enroll in one evening course per four-week term. In the evening fast track four-week term, classes meet three-days-per-week (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Courses in the evening time block generally start at 6:00 p.m. and end no later than 10:00 p.m.

"Many of our students at Waubonsee have family and work-related commitments besides their school responsibilities. This program will allow students to attain the education they desire within a shorter timeframe," said Lovingood.

During the daytime fast track four-week term, classes meet four-days-per-week (Monday through Thursday), leaving a three-day weekend for students to complete their homework and study. The daytime blocks include a morning block starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending no later than 12:00 p.m.and an afternoon block starting at 12:30 p.m. and ending no later than 4:00 p.m.

Students can choose to earn their associate's degree entirely through the Fast Track program or they may elect to attend only one or two of the accelerated four week sessions each semester. For more information on the Fast Track program call the counseling and advising center at: (630) 466-7900, ext. 2361.