What is an Associate's Degree? Everything You Need to Know

August 5 2021 - Are you considering going back to school? Have you thought about getting an associate's degree?

About 49% of Americans have an associate's degree. Should you join their ranks?

Let's go through what an associate's degree is and why it could be useful.

What is an Associate's Degree?

An associate's degree is usually a degree that takes two years to finish. However, these degrees are usually more flexible than bachelor's degrees, so you can take more or less time as needed. You will generally need to take 60 credits to complete an associate's degree successfully.

You can also get an associate's degree and then use those credits towards a bachelor's degree, for example, if you start at a community college. There are different varieties of associate degree types based on your needs.

You can receive an Associate of Science degree, an Associate of Applied Science degree, an Associate of Arts degree,  an Associate of Forestry degree, an Associate of Applied Technology degree, an Associate of Business Administration degree, or an Associates of Applied Arts degree, among many others.

These degrees are beneficial because they tend to be lower cost than bachelor's degrees. If your high school grades were poor, an associate's degree could also improve your odds of getting into a bachelor's degree program.

Entry associate's degree requirements for associate's degree programs are much lower than for bachelor's degree programs - although you will still need a high school diploma or GED to start an associate's degree.

Associate's degrees are available from community colleges, technical colleges, junior colleges, and some universities.

What is an Associate's Degree used for?

There are lots of different associate's degrees you can consider getting. These degrees come in all different majors.

For example, you can check out this degree if you're interested in online law enforcement. Other types of associate's degree specialties you can check out include:

• Business administration
• International studies
• Political science
• Business management
• Nursing
• Medical transcription, billing, or coding
• Environmental sciences
• Biology, chemistry, or physics

Of course, these are just some of your many options when it comes to associate's degree specialties. You also may not have to choose a specialty at all, depending on the school and degree you choose.

Do your research, and find out what's right for you. You're sure to find an associate's degree that applies to your current or intended career, to give you a head start succeeding in the field.

If you have kids or an active career, the more flexible schedule of an associate's degree can make it much easier for you to succeed. It's also much easier to live off-campus with an associate's degree program, and there are more options for studying remotely or online.

Get an Associate’s Degree Today

Hopefully, you know now how an associate's degree can be beneficial for your career.

Need more advice about education or related topics? Scroll through the rest of this website for more of the information that you need today.

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