PORT ANGELES – Peninsula College students can now get their degree in half the time.

The Port Angeles-based college is offering an accelerated, fully online Associate in Arts degree option.

College officials say it’s the same two-year AA degree, but can be earned in half the time

Vice President for Instruction Dr. Steven Thomas, says the program came from a survey where results indicated people wanted more and different scheduling options for earning their AA degree.

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 5 ½ week-long courses, followed immediately by another three 5 ½ week-long courses. Students already enrolled in Peninsula College’s traditional AA degree program have the option of switching to the accelerated option.

When completed, students can transfer to Bachelor of Arts degrees at Washington public four-year institutions.