Connect with her on LinkedIn. In today's competitive workforce, it can pay - literally - to advance from an associate to bachelor's degree. Learn more about the career and salary growth you could experience with a bachelor's degree. There are many factors to consider when choosing which path is for you, including time commitment and cost.
Two of the most popular types of credentials are degrees and certificates, and each can be significant in helping you achieve your goals. While often referred to as a 2-year college degree, there are several factors that determine just how long it will take to get an associate degree.
Choosing a program with liberal transfer policies can reduce how many credits you'll need to take, and exploring online options that offer more than two terms each academic year can help you finish faster.
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Nationally Accredited Online Colleges. Online Medical Assistant Programs. There are hundreds of academic programs you can choose from depending on your academic interests and future career goals. The associate of science degree A. S and the associate of arts degree A. You can treat them both as stand-alone degrees or as transfer degrees to a four-year university. Both make excellent transfer degrees their broad, liberal arts curriculums do not include specific technical or vocational training.
Despite their many similarities, there are a few significant differences to keep in mind when deciding which degree to pursue.
Associate of Arts A. Degrees emphasize a liberal arts and science curriculum with a strong emphasis on humanities. Common fields of study include literature, social sciences, fine arts, and the performing arts. Associate of Science A. Degrees are also liberal arts degrees but focus more on math and science. Typically students who pursue an A. While traditionally students have attended classes on campus, online degrees and hybrid degrees that combine in-person learning with virtual studies are becoming increasingly commonplace.
The classes you need to take to earn your degree will vary based on the academic program you choose to enroll in. Each academic program will have some unique requirements you need to complete in order to graduate. Some programs, especially those in the liberal arts, require only coursework.
However, programs that have a vocational focus, like nursing or information technology, will typically require field experiences like an internship or practicum. For example, many online schools have expanded options for how students can engage with material, when they take courses, and how long they can continue studying.
An associate program typically offers degrees in these programs:. What fields do you find interesting? There are many lucrative careers that you can choose from with your two-year degree. For example, if you want to be in the healthcare field, two of your many choices are to be a nurse or dental hygienist. A dental hygienist with an Associate of Science degree makes a similar salary. What about some of the trade jobs like construction management? For instance, preschool teachers only need an associate.
Other careers, however, require a degree from a four-year college or university, such as K educators. Both degrees include general education requirements and major courses. Learners at both degree levels may qualify for financial aid. Students can typically complete certificates and associate degree programs in two years. Certificate programs often include only field-specific courses, while associate of arts AA and associate of science AS programs also require general education classes.
Learners can transfer associate coursework into bachelor's programs for quicker graduation, especially if their associate school participates in transfer agreements with four-year institutions. Associate degrees can also prepare learners for certain career roles, like preschool teacher or paralegal, without additional education. AA degrees cover liberal arts subjects, like humanities, sociology, communications, and English.
Programs usually focus on general education to prepare for transfer into liberal arts bachelor's programs, but they also offer specialty concentration courses in areas like early childhood education, social work, or digital photography. Students can finish these associate degrees in two years, with possible careers including teacher assistants , desktop publishers , photographers , and social and human service assistants. AS programs incorporate liberal arts courses, but require more scientific and technical coursework than AA degrees.
AS programs include general studies curriculums that help learners transfer into different bachelor's programs, but they also offer focuses like accounting, paralegal studies, business administration, information technology, and pre-dental education, which prepare for entry into specific bachelor's programs.
AS students can graduate in two years and pursue a variety of careers, including as paralegals , web developers , bookkeepers , and information clerks. While AAS coursework can transfer into a four-year program, it is more common for AAS graduates to pursue work after graduation without earning a bachelor's degree. In this respect, these degrees are sometimes considered terminal. These two-year, career-centered programs prepare for jobs in healthcare, engineering, construction, or home repair, including positions like dental hygienist , surgical technologist , welder , hairdresser , or construction equipment operator.
Some of these careers also require a license or certification. Admission into college associate degree programs requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Colleges and universities may also expect learners to have a specific minimum GPA and to complete their state's pre-college curriculum, which often includes English, math, and science courses.
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