**"A College Degree in Weeks? Online 'Fast-Track' Programs Raise Alarms."**

Most students spend four years earning a bachelor's degree. Now, some online colleges are offering the same qualification in just weeks. This rapid shift is prompting concerns from educators and experts. The programs, often marketed as "competency-based," allow students to skip lectures and move through material as quickly as they pass assessments. For some, this means finishing years of coursework in a matter of months. National education reporter Todd Wallack of *The Washington Post* explains that while these degrees offer speed and lower costs, critics question whether they provide a genuine education. The worry is that students may earn a credential without developing the deep knowledge or critical thinking skills that a traditional four-year program aims to deliver. Proponents argue the model works well for motivated, experienced adults who already possess knowledge from work or life. But as these fast-track programs grow in popularity, the debate over their validity is only intensifying.