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- Manchester University is introducing online, 90-credit bachelor’s degrees in Applied Accounting and Applied Business Management this March.
- The accelerated programs align curriculum and timelines with employer demand while maintaining academic rigor.
- Graduates can finish a year earlier and save an average of $20,000 compared with traditional degree pathways.
Manchester University continues to forge groundbreaking pathways in higher education to best prepare students for careers with new accelerated degree programs in Applied Accounting and Applied Business Management. The undergraduate programs focus on preparing individuals for the job market in three years – as opposed to the traditional four – to mitigate concerns over costly tuition and time without compromising critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication skills, and the ability to learn continuously.
“We will see a shift from measuring education by time spent in the classroom to measuring it by outcomes achieved. A bachelor’s degree may increasingly signal clarity of purpose, demonstrated competence, and readiness for the next step,” said Manchester University President, Stacy Young. “The question won’t be ‘How long did it take?’ but ‘What can this graduate do, and how well are they prepared?’”
The new Applied Accounting and Business Management programs will be offered online starting in March with the in-person cohort beginning in Fall 2026.
Applied programs are purpose-built pathways that align directly with graduate school prerequisites or immediate workforce credentials, offering a streamlined, goal-oriented academic experience. In contrast, standard 120-credit programs provide a more exploratory framework, ideal for students seeking broader academic discovery through additional majors or minors, interdisciplinary study, or study-away experiences.
The new programs join two accelerated degree Manchester programs serving health care interests in Pre-athletic Physical Training and Pre-physical Therapy, launched in 2025. The four innovative bachelor’s degree programs are approved by the Higher Learning Commission and reflect a broader shift toward flexibility, transparency, and student-centered pathways that acknowledge different goals and life circumstances.
“Across Indiana and the broader region, we face a critical challenge and opportunity: nearly 40 percent of adults with postsecondary experience have some college credit but no degree, leaving too many without the credentials that today’s workforce demands,” said Young. “This ‘some college, no degree’ population represents not only unrealized potential for individuals seeking greater economic mobility, but also a strategic gap in our region’s talent pipeline at a time when employers are struggling to find qualified workers. Accelerated degree pathways are essential to meeting that need.”
Students who pursue an applied degree at Manchester can graduate a full year early, saving an estimated $20,000 in tuition and living costs.
For the media
Contact Heather Twomey, dean of the College of Business and Human Services, at HCTwomey@manchester.edu.
Manchester University, in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers vibrant and transformative student experiences. Learn more at www.manchester.edu/about-manchester.
Manchester University respects the infinite worth of every individual and graduates persons of ability and conviction who draw upon their education and faith to lead principled, productive, and compassionate lives that improve the human condition.
