Students not in the US or Canada may have never heard of an associate’s degree. If you’re on this blog, chances are you read about an associate degree somewhere and searched for it.
In this guide, we’ll share all you need to know about an associate’s degree.
What is an Associate’s Degree?
An associate’s degree is a program taken at the undergraduate level. The aim of an associate’s degree is to teach students knowledge and transferable skills that students will need to be employed.
Associate’s degrees are a huge part of the US education infrastructure, they’re also available in Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and the Netherlands. Other countries have similar programs under different names, in the UK, they’re known as foundation degrees.
In the US, associate’s degrees are available at various colleges, community colleges, junior colleges, and university institutes. Most associate’s degrees require a 2-year full-time commitment.
Difference Between a Bachelor’s and an Associate’s Degree
Both bachelor’s and associate’s degrees fall under the undergraduate degrees category. In contrast “postgraduate” degrees, such as master’s or PhD programs, require students to have a bachelor’s-level program.
Here are all the differences between a bachelor’s and an associate’s degree:
- Time
To earn an associate’s degree, you need to complete a set of study hours or course credits. Every institution has different requirements, but generally, an associate’s degree requires 2 year full-time commitment.
A lot of students choose to study part-time, which means the degree will take longer to complete. Students who complete an associate’s degree can transfer those credits towards a relevant course or a bachelor’s degree.
- Costs
An associate’s degree costs less compared to a bachelor’s degree. The difference in costs will vary based on the institution, but you can expect to pay up to 2-3 times less than a bachelor’s degree.
- Entry Requirements
The entry requirements for an associate’s degree are less competitive than a bachelor’s degree, and admission deadlines are much later.
Associate degrees are a great option for students who don’t meet bachelor’s degree requirements. Students can then transfer those credits toward a bachelor’s degree.
Types of Associate Degrees
There are 4 types of associate degrees:
- AA (Associate of Arts)
- AS (Associate of Science)
- AAA (Associate of Applied Arts)
- AAS (Associate of Applied Science)
The main difference is that the “applied” courses are more focused on preparing students for a career in a particular field. AA & AS courses are targeted more towards students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Students today also prefer online associate degrees, they offer flexibility, and affordability, allowing individuals to work while they study.
Possible Career Opportunities with an Associate’s Degree
The career opportunity with an associate degree depends on the type of degree and the subject you major in. However, there are a lot of relatively high-paying and highly skilled jobs that students can grab with an associate’s degree.
Getting a bachelor’s degree can open up the students to even more career options. An associate degree can open up tons of career opportunities. As a lot of bachelor’s degrees focus more on vocational studies, bachelor students need to be further trained to get a job, however, that’s not the case with associate degrees.
How to Transfer from an Associate’s Degree to a Bachelor’s Degree?
Transferring from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree is extremely simple. If your course credits are relevant and accepted by your choice of university, you can transfer the credits and join a bachelor’s program halfway through.
Before you take this option, make sure you do relevant research and take as many credit hours & classes as needed to prepare for a bachelor’s degree.
Should you Get an Associate’s Degree?
Getting an associate’s degree is a good option if you don’t meet bachelor’s degree requirements if you have a limited budget and time.
Another thing you should consider is the career path you want to take and if your associate’s degree will help you with it. You can check the current job listings in the country and cross-reference whether they allow candidates with associate’s degrees or not.