Associate Degree

All You Need to Know About Associates Degrees

Are you interested in studying for a degree? It’s a choice many people make, especially those looking to enhance their careers or seeking a change of direction.

Degrees take many forms and cover a variety of subjects. We want to show you how an associate's degree can help you advance career-wise. What is an associate's degree, and what are the benefits?

The Associate's Degree

An associate's degree is a two-year program designed to give the student sufficient education and knowledge to improve their professional standing. One advantage of this type of degree is that it can be studied at a variety of institutions.

Associate degrees are offered at community and junior colleges, technical and vocational schools, plus universities. The primary benefit of this is that studying for an associate's degree may be considerably less expensive than a full four-year university degree.

Once the student has completed the two year course, they may convert it into a bachelor’s degree with a further two year university course.

There are three types of associate degree, as follows:

-          Associate of Arts (AA) gives the student a good understanding of the arts and is also studied by those wishing to get into a management position.

-          Associate of Science (AS) focuses on the mathematical and science study areas. It is a step forward for students who wish to work in computer science, nursing, and also the criminal justice system.

-          Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is aimed at persons who wish to head straight into a career path rather than studying for a bachelor's degree. Typical professions chosen by AAS students include entrepreneurship, web design and digitally based professions, and paralegals.

The associate's degree is certainly worthy of consideration as many professions in addition to those mentioned require only this level of qualification. Indeed, you may be surprised to find some high-paying jobs that require only an associate's degree.

Further Education after an Associates Degree

While an associate degree will help you find employment in many roles, a bachelor’s or master’s degree is essential for some professions.

For example, jobs in finance and accounting roles – accountants and auditors, financial analysts, and others who require an understanding of economics and the world of finance – require a bachelor's degree at the minimum and sometimes a master's degree in Business and Finance to be eligible for the role.

The associate's degree allows the student to decide whether to continue their studies and qualify for a bachelor's degree.

Conclusion

There are different methods of studying for an associate's degree. Many students already employed choose to study online, a convenient and affordable alternative to on-campus study.

Employers will recognize the desire on the part of the student to further their knowledge and gain new skills and will usually encourage their employees to engage in further study. Check out associate’s degrees in more detail; you may find this is the ideal route to further your professional standing.

FIND COLLEGES FOR ASSOCIATE DEGREE

12 schools found

American InterContinental University

American InterContinental University

Schaumburg, Illinois

2-4

Years

Private For-Profit

At AIU, we understand the demands and challenges you face on a daily basis. That’s why we’re here to support you along the way. Our degree programs are designed so you can learn in ways that fit your life, with 24/7 access to your classes online or through our mobile app. We also provide you with a Graduation Team, a group of four advisors you can turn to anytime throughout your journey. The team includes an Admissions Advisor, Financial Aid Advisor, Faculty Advisor and Student Advisor.

Bryan University

Bryan University

4255 S Nature Center Way, Springfield, MO 65804

2-4

Years

Private For-Profit

Bryan University has been providing focused, relevant career training programs to students since 1982, and we’re just as passionate and committed to our students’ success now as we were back then. Bryan was founded on an unwavering desire to improve the lives of our students. That’s why it’s a part of our Mission Statement:

Our mission is to improve the lives of our students, our team and our employers. We accomplish our mission by providing quality education in an environment that enables our team to thrive and our students to realize their potential, creating a positive impact within our communities.

More than 30 years later, these things remain at the core of our goals and mission as a career training school. We strive to improve the lives of our students, whether they have a family, are in the military, or are just looking for a fresh start in life.

 

Centura College

Centura College

2697 Dean Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23452

2-4

Years

Private For-Profit

Centura College, with campus locations in Virginia, and South Carolina, is dedicated to helping students gain the skills and attitudes necessary to succeed. Drawing from over 30 years of career school experience, we are committed to the education and personal enrichment of each student. Whether you are a recent high school graduate just starting out, planning to return to the workplace in a new career field, or a member of our Armed Forces preparing to enter the civilian workforce, Centura College can get you the training you need quickly. At Centura College, it's all about the training!

Colorado Technical University

Colorado Technical University

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

2-4

Years

Private For-Profit

Colorado Technical University’s mission is to provide industry-relevant higher education to a diverse student population through innovative technology and experienced faculty, enabling the pursuit of personal and professional goals.

Davenport University

Davenport University

6191 Kraft Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512

2-4

Years

Private Non-Profit

Quality & value puts Davenport among best colleges in Michigan</strong>

Create lifelong opportunities through Davenport University, a private, not-for-profit university in Michigan. 

Davenport’s efficient, career-centered focus is what sets our in-person and online bachelor’s degree programs, graduate degree programs, professional development and certifications apart from any other university in Michigan. Plus, Davenport’s “Excellence System” prepares students with real-world competencies sought by top employers, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking and problem-solving, as well as program-specific competencies.

Eastwick College

Eastwick College

250 Moore St, Hackensack, NJ 07601

2-4

Years

Private For-Profit

Quick Facts About Eastwick:

  • Four local campuses in Ramsey, Hackensack, Nutley and Paterson
  • Program length starts at just 6 months
  • Affordable tuition compared to many area colleges
  • Up to $3000 in book grants when you enroll
  • Externships and clinical rotations are included as part of your schedule
  • Emphasis on hands-on training for in-demand skillsets
  • Lifetime placement assistance for all graduates
Gwinnett Colleges & Institute

Gwinnett Colleges & Institute

4230 US-29 Ste 11, Lilburn, GA 30047

2-4

Years

Private For-Profit

Are you ready to start a new vocational career in business, legal studies or healthcare at Gwinnett College? Because you are making the commitment to seek career-focused technical training and vocational education, we commit ourselves to providing you with exceptional customer service each step of the way.  Gwinnett Colleges & Institute is committed to providing you with information on the college financial aid for which you may qualify in addition to the other career services we provide to our vocational college students.  All of our school instructors possess education or career experience in the fields in which they teach which provides you with a quality learning experience.  While we do not guarantee employment, we provide continuous career services assistance upon graduation from your vocational school program.   Gwinnett Colleges & Institute is with you each step of the way!

Liberty University

Liberty University

1971 University Blvd Lynchburg, VA 24515

2-4

Years

Private Non-Profit

As an accredited Christian college with a 7,000-acre campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University offers you an education that is both academically challenging and rooted in a biblical worldview.

At Liberty, you’ll benefit from 35+ years of learning, growing, adapting, and innovating for the distance learner — and more than a decade of researching the needs of the online student. You can be confident that we’ve taken the time to learn what’s important to you.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University

Online

2-4

Years

Private Non-Profit

You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you reach them. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you.

200+ Degrees

Career-focused programs designed to give you the real-world experience employers are looking for

Low Tuition Rates

As a nonprofit university, we offer some of the most affordable online tuition in the nation

Southern Technical College

Southern Technical College

1485 Florida Mall Ave, Orlando, FL 32809

2

Years

Private For-Profit

Southern Technical College provides education and training in a variety of medical and technical areas that enable graduates to obtain entry-level employment. As a student at Southern Technical College, you will have the opportunity learn in several different ways. Choose from a variety of career training programs taught by industry professionals, flexible schedules to fit your needs and experience a class environment designed around different learning styles.

Southern Technical College is the right place for students who want quality career training in the growing fields of:

  • Allied Health
  • Business
  • Information Technology
  • Nursing
  • Technical Trades
  • Veterinary Assisting

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