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If you are fresh from high school and you want to acquire affordable post-secondary education that can equip you with knowledge and skills that can open doors to job opportunities in a shorter time frame, you should consider earning an associate degree. Learn the differences between associate degrees here!
An Associate Degree
Here’s what you should know about associate degrees:
An associate degree is a post-secondary undergraduate degree that is higher than a secondary education but lower than a bachelor’s degree. It is designed to equip students with technical knowledge that prepares them for employment and earning academic credits that are acceptable in college should they decide to study further to earn a bachelor’s degree in their chosen field.
Associate degrees are common in US schools. They are typically available in community colleges, technical colleges, and affiliated colleges or universities. A typical associate degree takes two years for full-time students to complete.
Types of Associate Degrees
There are four types of associate degrees, but only three are popular. These are Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), and Associate of Applied Science (AAS).
Do you need to earn an associate degree? But, don’t know where to start? There are several types, so what are the differences between Associate degrees, such as the A.A., A.S., and A.A.S degrees? Here, we attempt to answer your burning questions about earning an associate’s degree.
Additional Resources: The 40 Highest Paying Jobs With A Trade School Education
Quick Summarization
There are several types of Associate degrees to choose from. The one you choose to earn is very important for your future career path. Before signing on, educate yourself on the differences between each one!
If you are beginning your college journey, you will need to start earning your associate’s degree; however, which one will fit your needs?
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- What sort of career aspirations do you have? What is your desired end goal?
- How long do you have to earn your associate’s degree?
- Will you want to transfer your credits to a bachelor’s degree program and then, perhaps, a master’s degree?
- Do you need a distance learning option, or will attending your local community college meet your needs?
- What are my other options? Can technical colleges teach me the concentrated skills I need at half the cost?
Differences Between Associate Degrees
There are three main types of associate degrees to consider. Let’s explore each one.
Associate of Arts (A.A.)
The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree program covers a wide array of liberal arts topics, such as English, Sciences, Sociology, Humanities, Visual Arts, and the like. With this skill set, your credits are transferable into a bachelor’s degree program if so desired.
Enrolling in an AA program is a shorter way to develop specific skills, including collaboration, communication, critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving. These are among the most important skills many employers look for in their employees. These skills can help you get a rewarding job should you decide to find one after completing an AA program.
Associate of Science (A.S.)
The Associate of Science (A.S.) degree program includes coursework designed to prepare you for employment immediately after graduation; however, additional skills learned by earning your bachelor’s degree may be recommended. Typically, you can easily transfer your credits.
With an A.S. program, you may be asked to choose a concentration. When your general requirement courses are finished, you can complete your electives, often focused on science-related fields, such as math, science, biology, engineering, computer science, and many more.
There are several good reasons why taking an Associate of Science degree works to your advantage. Some of these include lower costs, as most AS programs are available in community colleges, better career prospects, and an open door of opportunity to further your studies without losing the credits on courses already taken.
Another salient advantage of taking an AS degree program is it allows you to study and spend time on subjects you love and enjoy, with their credits transferable to a bachelor’s degree.
Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) program is often considered a terminal degree; therefore, transferring credits may not be applicable, depending on the school. The A.A.S. degree will prepare graduates for real-life work options immediately after completion and is often awarded upon completion of a vocational program. In this setting, the general education requirements are very flexible.
There are several benefits to earning an AAS degree in your favorite applied sciences. These benefits include providing you with opportunities toward quick, rewarding, and well-paying work, eliminating the need to spend four or more years pursuing a bachelor’s degree, AAS degrees are cheaper and easier to access, and they provide you with advanced skills that make you highly competent for the job you want to get.
If you think that earning a bachelor’s degree is in your future, don’t consider the A.A.S. program. You may need to spend extra time taking qualifying classes first if you decide to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program later.
If you have already completed an AAS degree and are planning to take a bachelor’s degree program, there are schools that accept AAS degree credits from a regionally accredited community, technical, or vocational schools. These schools include Arizona State University, Whitworth University in Spokane, WA, and Bellevue University in Bellevue, NE. You may do further research for similar schools if enrolling in these schools is not practical for you.
Take a look at this: The 20 Easiest Online Associate Degrees
Consider These Facts Before Choosing An Associate Degree Program
- Typically, earning your associate’s degree is a two-year degree program, while a bachelor’s degree is a four-year degree.
- What can you do with your associate degree? An associate degree can gain you an entry-level job in almost all types of industries. Such fields include technology, healthcare, engineering, the travel industry, and much more.
- Earning an associate’s degree is a great way to determine which career path is right for you.
- But, keep in mind… earning an associate degree may not qualify you for a management or leadership position. You will need a bachelor’s degree, in most cases, for career promotions and to earn a higher salary.
- Associate degree programs are plentiful and are easily earned through an online learning format.
- Earning an associate’s degree is a good stepping stone to earning your bachelor’s degree, and for the cost-conscious student, the associate degree costs are cheaper than diving into a bachelor’s degree program right up front!
- The curricula in an associate’s degree program will generally cover your required general education courses, as well as elective courses. For those who are interested in earning bachelor’s degrees, your credits can be easily transferred into a four-year bachelor’s degree program, then you can select a major. However, if you choose to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree (which is often a “terminal degree”), you can also focus on a particular trade or technical knowledge, getting you out into the workforce immediately after graduating. Credits in an AAS degree are not typically transferrable.
- Where can you earn your associate’s degree? Vocational schools, junior colleges, or a community college where you live is the best place to earn your associate degree, which makes it particularly easy when you can attend college in your local area. Online associate degrees make it even easier and are also offered by community colleges!
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that, on average, associate degree holders earn approximately $938 median weekly earnings, as opposed to bachelor’s degree holders who earn approximately $1,305 per week.
- While in high school, a growing number of programs will allow you to earn credit for college courses to apply towards associate programs.
- What courses can I expect in an associate degree program, you ask? Some examples may include general studies, humanities courses, business administration, science courses, fine arts, criminal justice, business management, math, and, to name a few. You’ll learn decision-making and critical thinking skills, as well as transferable skills that will serve you well personally and professionally.
- As for career opportunities, the sky’s the limit! Sign up today for the right associate degree program for you! Associate’s degrees are a great start to your educational journey. It’s only the beginning!
Key Takeaway
Taking an associate degree is the cheaper and faster way to earn a post-secondary education and acquire knowledge and skills that qualify you for entry-level jobs. The credits you earn from the associate of arts and associate of science degrees are transferable should you desire to pursue a bachelor’s degree.
An associate degree can equip you with knowledge and enable you to get a job without spending much time in college, but it cannot guarantee a leadership role as much as a bachelor’s degree does.
The way to get the best of both worlds is to identify the profession you want, take the cheaper associate degree from an accredited institution, then pursue a bachelor’s degree. Doing so can provide you with the education you need for an entry-level job and be qualified for higher career opportunities at a lesser cost. It’s economical, career-focused, and capable of providing you with higher opportunities for professional and career advancement.
It is crucial to find out the particulars of your associate degree program before signing on; therefore, ask about future credit transfers, accreditation, and the specific coursework needed for your chosen desired field to maximize your educational needs!