Earn the same degree in half the time.

Looking to help peninsula residents juggling careers, family and other commitments who see spending two or more years earning a degree as not a realistic option — and for those with time to spare during the COVID-19 pandemic — Peninsula College is offering an accelerated, fully online associate in arts degree option.

College officials announced the program last week, promoting the community college’s affordability, low student-to-faculty ratios and regular academic advising.

“The response we got to our community survey indicated that people wanted more and different scheduling options for earning their AA degree,” Dr. Steven Thomas, vice president for Instruction, said. “The Accelerated AA was created from the feedback that we received.”

Students will be able to earn a degree in as little as one year by taking six courses per quarter. Each quarter they will take three, five-and-a-half week-long courses, followed immediately by another three, five-and-a-half week-long courses.

Students already enrolled in Peninsula College’s traditional AA degree program have the option of switching to the accelerated option, college officials said.

When completed, students can transfer to bachelors of arts degrees at Washington state public four-year institutions.

The option is designed for students in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

For more information, visit www.pencol.edu/fast.