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How to Earn Your Degree Faster

October 21, 2026 by: Trident University International Categories: Online Learning

At Trident University International, there are several ways to potentially shorten your path to graduation: transfer in credits you've already earned, pursue credit for prior learning, test out of select requirements through approved examinations, and take advantage of flexible course scheduling when available. Stackable programs and dual-credit opportunities may provide additional ways to make progress from one degree to the next.

Together, these options make up Trident Fastrac, a set of pathways designed to help eligible students make more of what they already know and keep their education moving forward.

There is no single “fastest” path for every student. Your options depend on your degree program, previous education and training, and the credit that applies to your degree requirements.

Four strategies may help shorten your path:

  1. Transfer in eligible college credit you've already earned.*
  2. Earn credit for qualifying prior learning, training or professional experience.
  3. Use approved exams such as CLEP or DSST to demonstrate knowledge of select subjects.
  4. Use flexible course scheduling to make progress at a pace that works for you.

You may also be able to apply courses from one Trident degree program toward another through eligible stackable programs and dual-credit opportunities.

Get Credit for What You Already Know

Learning does not happen only in a college classroom.

Professional training, industry certifications, military education and other learning experiences may demonstrate college-level knowledge that can apply toward an eligible Trident program.

Through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), Trident may evaluate learning completed outside a traditional academic environment and award credit when that learning meets applicable academic requirements.

Depending on the degree level and type of learning, PLA options may include:

  • Experiential learning portfolios
  • Experiential essays
  • Industry certifications, licensure, and apprenticeship
  • ACE- or NCCRS-evaluated training

Credit is awarded for demonstrated college-level learning, not simply for having work or life experience. Trident evaluates eligible submissions to determine whether the learning is comparable to the requirements and outcomes of applicable coursework.

Put what you know to work toward what comes next.

Test Out of Courses You've Already Mastered

Already know the material? In some cases, you may be able to demonstrate it through an approved college-level examination.

Trident considers eligible credit earned through examinations such as:

  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
  • DSST
  • Excelsior examinations
  • Other approved college-level testing

These exams cover subjects commonly included in undergraduate degree requirements. Passing an eligible exam may result in credit that can be applied toward qualifying degree requirements.

Credit by examination is an optional way to earn academic credit for demonstrated knowledge. Before taking an exam, confirm that the exam and resulting credit are eligible for your program.

Transfer the Credits You've Already Earned

If you've already completed college coursework, make it count where you can.

Trident evaluates eligible coursework from CHEA-approved, institutionally accredited colleges and universities for potential transfer. International coursework may also be considered with the appropriate credential evaluation.

For many 120-semester-hour bachelor's degree programs, Trident's current Catalog permits up to 90 semester hours of transferable credit (no more than 30 from prior learning assessment), subject to program requirements and individual evaluation. Transfer limits for associate, master's and doctoral programs differ by program and degree level.

Submitting your transcripts early can help Trident determine which credits may apply to your degree plan and which requirements remain.*

Credit for Military Training and Experience

Your military education may already represent significant college-level learning.

Trident considers undergraduate credit for military education based on recommendations from the American Council on Education (ACE) Military Guide and applicable University transfer policies.

Eligible learning documented through military records may include:

  • Joint Services Transcript (JST) credit
  • Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) coursework
  • Military service schools
  • Occupational training
  • Other ACE-evaluated military education1

Trident also maintains articulation and evaluation pathways for select military schools, law-enforcement training and professional training.

Submit your official military and academic transcripts so your prior learning can be evaluated against the requirements of your program.

Take More Than One Course per Session

Sometimes moving faster is not about receiving additional credit. It is about using the calendar differently.

Trident offers 8-week sessions that begin every four weeks, along with 12-week sessions. Bachelor's and master's students may have opportunities to enroll in courses across overlapping sessions, subject to applicable academic requirements and course availability.

That can give eligible students another way to keep making progress instead of waiting for one session to end before the next begins.

Select master's programs may also offer structured course pathways designed for accelerated completion. Depending on the program and course load, some pathways may allow eligible students to complete degree requirements more quickly.

Accelerated scheduling requires additional coursework within a shorter period, so students should work with their advisor to determine a course load that is appropriate for their circumstances.

Stack Your Degrees

Your next degree does not always have to mean starting over.

Trident offers stackable program pathways that may allow eligible coursework from one Trident program to apply toward the next degree level.

Options may be available from:

  • Associate to bachelor's
  • Bachelor's to master's
  • Master's to doctoral

Certain programs may also offer dual-credit courses, allowing an eligible course to satisfy requirements at two degree levels.

If graduate education is already part of your plan, exploring a stackable pathway early can help you understand how your current coursework may connect with the degree you want to pursue next.

Eligibility and the amount of applicable credit vary by program, degree level and catalog requirements.

How Much Time and Money Could You Save?

The answer depends on your starting point.

Transfer credit, prior learning credit and credit by examination may reduce the number of courses you need to complete at Trident. Flexible scheduling may also shorten the amount of calendar time needed to complete remaining requirements.

How much any student may reduce their time in school or educational costs depends on factors such as:

  • Degree program
  • Number and applicability of transfer credits
  • Prior learning credit awarded
  • Credit earned through approved examinations
  • Course availability
  • Course load
  • Breaks in enrollment
  • Successful completion of required coursework

That is why the most useful question is not simply, "How fast can I finish?"

It is:

"How much of my degree have I already earned?"

How to Find Out What You Qualify For

Start by gathering the records that tell the story of what you have already learned.

That may include:

  • College transcripts
  • Military transcripts, including JST or CCAF records
  • Professional licenses or certifications
  • Records of employer or professional training
  • Results from AP, CLEP, DSST or other eligible examinations
  • Documentation of other qualifying prior learning

An Admissions Advisor can help you understand the options that may apply to your program and the documentation needed for evaluation.

You have already put in the work. Find out how much of it may move with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

The fastest path depends on your individual situation. Students may be able to shorten their path by combining eligible transfer credit, credit for prior learning, credit earned through examinations such as CLEP or DSST, and flexible course scheduling. The amount of time required depends on the student's program, applicable credit, course load and successful completion of remaining degree program requirements.

Credit for prior learning, or PLA, is a process for evaluating college-level learning acquired outside a traditional college classroom. Depending on the program, eligible learning may come from professional training, military education, certifications, licensure or other documented learning experiences. Credit is awarded for demonstrated learning that meets applicable academic requirements, not simply for work or life experience.

Military education may qualify for undergraduate transfer credit when it meets Trident's academic and transfer requirements. Trident considers military education documented through sources such as the Joint Services Transcript (JST), Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) transcripts and applicable American Council on Education recommendations.*

Transfer limits depend on degree level and degree program. For many Trident bachelor's degree programs requiring 120 semester hours, up to 90 semester hours may be transferable under current Catalog requirements (no more than 30 from credit for prior learning). Other degree programs may have different residency and transfer-credit limits. All transfer credit is individually evaluated for eligibility and applicability to the student's degree program.

Potentially. Eligible transfer credits can reduce the number of remaining requirements a student must complete at Trident. The effect on time to completion varies based on how credits apply to the student's degree requirements, course scheduling, course load, breaks and other factors.

It may. Receiving eligible transfer, prior learning or examination credit can reduce the amount of coursework a student needs to complete at Trident. Any effect on total educational cost depends on the student's program, the type and amount of credit awarded, tuition and fees, course load, financial circumstances and other factors.

Trident accepts several forms of eligible credit by examination, including AP, CLEP, DSST and other approved college-level examinations. Whether an exam can satisfy a particular degree requirement depends on the exam, score, program and applicable academic policies.

Trident Fastrac is the name for a group of options that may help eligible students shorten their path to graduation. These options include transfer credit, credit for prior learning, credit by examination, military and professional training evaluation, flexible course scheduling, stackable programs and dual-credit opportunities.

Interested in Learning More?

Request information about Trident Fastrac options to learn which pathways may apply to your degree plan.

1 American Council on Education. “The ACE Military Guide.” https://www.acenet.edu/Programs-Services/Pages/Credit-Transcripts/Military-Guide-Online.aspx Visited September 16, 2026.

*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies. Trident University International cannot guarantee employment, salary or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states. REQ2262459 09/2026