Elizabeth City, NC – College of The Albemarle (COA) is excited to announce the expansion of its Fast Track Associate in Arts degree program, offering greater flexibility and opportunities for students aiming to expedite their education and career goals. This program is designed for students who wish to fast-track their transfer to a four-year university for a bachelor’s degree or enter the workforce sooner. The Fast Track Associate in Arts degree can now be completed online in 17 months or less and can be started at the beginning of any semester.

The program condenses the traditional two-year associate degree timeline, allowing students to engage in more intensive coursework and complete their degrees at an accelerated pace. With the ability to start the program at any semester, students can customize their education to fit their schedules and goals.

Lisa Meads, dean of Arts and Sciences, shared, “COA’s Fast Track Associate in Arts degree is designed to meet the needs of today’s students—providing flexibility and speed. It’s our answer to the call for more adaptable, cost-effective higher education options. Expanding the program and offering it for all semesters provide new opportunities for our students who want to expedite accomplishing their educational goals.”

For more information on the Fast Track Associate in Arts degree program, please visit our website at www.albemarle.edu/aa or contact Brian Edwards, Division of Arts & Sciences, at [email protected], or 252-335-0821 ext. 7016.

College of The Albemarle also offers students a Fast Track Associate in Applied Science in General Business Administration option. This program can be completed in just 15 months. Registration is only available for the fall and summer semesters. Graduates are prepared for employment opportunities in government agencies, financial institutions, and the business industry. This program also has a bilateral agreement in place with Elizabeth City State University offering students a transfer option.

For more information on the Fast Track Associate in Applied Science in General Business Administration program, please visit our website at www.albemarle.edu/bizadmin-fast-track or contact Jessica Buckley-Williams, COA Program Coordinator for Business Programs and Assistant Professor of Business and Accounting, at [email protected], or 252-335-0821 ext. 2222.

Key features of the Fast Track Associate in Arts and Associate in Applied Science in General Business programs:

• Complete an associate degree in 17 months or less
• Online courses available
• Fast Track Associate in Arts starts at the beginning of any semester (fall, spring, or summer)
• Fast Track Associate in Arts in Applied Science in General Business starts in the fall and summer semesters
• Option to transfer to a four-year college or university
• Save on tuition costs by completing a degree at COA – Also, ask about the Next NC Scholarship. With Next NC, tuition at COA could be free

For all other COA-related information or media inquiries, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, COA Director of Communications and Marketing, at 252-335-0821 ext. 2420 or [email protected].