What is an Associate Degree?

An Associates degree is an academic degree that is granted by a junior college, community college, business college and some bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities. Traditionally, completion of an Associate degree for a full-time student takes approximately two years. It is not uncommon for students to study part time, thus taking longer than two years to complete. Students who earn their degree online can complete their classes in a shorter amount of time and enjoy the flexibility of creating their own schedule. This is because they have a broader selection of programs offered online than are available through their local colleges and universities. There are two primary types of Associate degrees. One is a transfer degree and the other is a vocational/professional degree. Getting your Associate degree can open a door for continuing your education as well as obtaining a Bachelor's degree.

What are the most common degrees?

Most community colleges offer Associate degrees in the fields of art and design, business, criminal justice, education, engineering, health care, and technology. The most common Associate degrees awarded by colleges are:

Associate of Arts (AA)
Awarded for successful completion of a core liberal arts curriculum with a concentration in the social sciences and humanities.

Associate of Science (AS)
Awarded for successful completion of a core liberal arts curriculum with a concentration in the physical sciences.

Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Awarded for successful completion of a core liberal arts curriculum with a concentration in a vocational application of the training.

This includes the main degrees such as:

Associate degree in Graphic Design
Associate degree in Fashion Design
Associate degree in Interior Design
Associate degree in Accounting
Associate degree in Business
Associate degree in Marketing
Associate degree in Sales & Marketing
Associate degree in Culinary
Associate degree in Early ChildhoodEducation
Associate degree in Medical Assistant
Associate degree in Medical Coding and Billing
Associate degree in Pharmacy
Associate degree in Massage Therapy
Associate degree in Criminal Justice
Associate degree in Paralegal & Legal Assistant
Associate degree in Computer Programming
Associate degree in Computer Networking
Associate degree in Information Technology
Associate degree in Web Design

What are the benefits of Earning an Associate Degree?

You can earn an Associate degree in about two years. Earning an Associate degree can help you prepare you for many technical jobs such as computer repair, medical assisting, and accounting. Additionally, many Associate degrees give you credits that can transfer to a university should you decide to continue your studies. Workers with an Associate degree averaged an extra $128 a week in 2001 as compared with workers whose highest level of educational attainment was a high school diploma, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It is also predicted that people with an Associate degree also are more likely to find jobs. The unemployment rate in 2001 was more than 30 percent lower for Associate degree holders compared with high school graduates. Several studies show that advantages in the job market might be even greater for those just starting their careers and for those who work in a career related to their degree.

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