What are Associate degrees?

Associate degrees are two-year programs that you can take after completing higher-secondary studies. So what are associate degrees options? The full-time option is for two years while the part-time option can take anywhere between 2 – 6 years. You can even opt for an online program.

But what are associate degrees focused on?

All associate degrees aim to equip you with a basic college education to pursue a wide range of professions or even higher studies.

What are associate degrees expenses?

Tuition fees, as well as other expenses, will be less for an associate degree since the duration of the course is shorter. But expenses can vary depending on the institution and program you to choose.

What is an Associate’s degree vis-a-vis a bachelor’s degree?

• Both these are undergraduate programs that you can attend right after completing higher secondary education.
• In the US for example, what is an Associate’s degree requires 2 years with 60 credit hours while a Bachelor’s degree needs 4 years with 120 hours.
• A part-time program will increase the time taken.
• An Associate’s degree costs about half of what a Bachelor’s degree will cost.
• The admission requirements for an Associate’s degree are easier than for a Bachelor’s degree.
• With an Associate’s degree, you will get an entry-level job while with a Bachelor’s degree you will get a more responsible job even if it’s at the entry-level.
  

What are the types of Associate degrees?

There are four types of Associate degrees:

1. Associate of Arts (AA) 

You will study theory and get trained in analyzing information in your chosen concentration subject along with a study of Liberal Arts or Humanities.

2. Associate of Science (AS) 

Besides your chosen concentration subject, you will take science courses in chemistry, biology, mathematics, etc. The AA or AS programs are suited for you if you subsequently intend to pursue a Bachelor’s degree program.

3. Associate of Applied Arts (AAA)

4. Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

‍As the names suggest, the two ‘Applied’ programs concentrate on the humanities and hard sciences. Both these ‘Applied’ degrees are more technically oriented to prepare you in your chosen concentration subject. If you want to go straight to work upon completion of your associate’s degree, this is the option for you.

What are Associate degrees in popular fields?

With the necessary academic and basic knowledge in the humanities, liberal arts or hard sciences, the fields you can choose to concentrate in are:

• Air Traffic Control
• Dental Hygiene
• Nursing
• Web Developing
• Computer Networking
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Industrial Engineering

And many more.

What are Associate degrees admission requirements?

You will need:

• A High School Equivalent Certificate or the GED (General Education Diploma)
• An official high school transcript listing the date of graduation
• Documentation of high school completion
• An average GPA (Grade Point Average)
• Average TOEFL scores. To register for TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/register/‍
• Average SAT or ACT scores. To register for SAT: https://www.collegeboard.org/. To register for ACT: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/register.html‍
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
  

What is an Associate's degree admission advantage is that you can get admission without having excellent high school or standardized tests scores. So this can be the route to take to gain entry into your chosen college and work your way up, to pursue the Bachelor’s degree program if your grades and scores are less than the stipulated requirement. 

What is an Associate's degree cost of study?

What is an Associate degree study program and more importantly where you study are decisive factors for the cost of study? A private college is more expensive while studying at a public university is costs less and studying at a community college will cost much less than either.

Is financial aid available for Associate degree programs?

International students will find it difficult to receive substantial aid, as most of the available aid is federal aid. However, institutional need-based aid is available for international students in some community colleges.
For more information:
https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/2019-01-29/what-international-students-should-know-about-the-fafsa

How can you progress from an Associate's degree to a Bachelor’s degree?

Moving from an Associate’s degree to a Bachelor’s degree can be easily provided with your Associate’s degree is earned from an accredited institution. Then it’s just a matter of transferring your credits from your associate program to finish your Bachelor’s degree.

Which are the Associate's degree colleges? 

There are many institutions in the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and the Netherlands offering associate degree programs.

To know more: https://www.academiccourses.com/Associate-Degrees/

Which are the merits of Online Associate's degree programs?

Doing an online Associate’s degree program has its advantages:

• ‍Flexi-timings - You are free to choose when you want to study during the day.‍
• Costs less - While you may pay just marginally fewer tuition fees, you’ll save on commuting, textbooks, and other incidental campus expenditures.‍
• The comfort of studying at home - You do away with the rigours of travel to attend lectures.‍
• Multi-tasking - You can perhaps study while working or while you are in-between jobs or taking time out to raise a family
  

For information on the best online schools:

https://www.guidetoonlineschools.com/degrees/associate

https://www.onlineassociatesdegrees.net/features/best-colleges/

What are Associate degrees advantages? Why choose an Associate degree program?

Associate degrees are flexible, affordable, and will prepare you for a job. What is an Associate degree advantage is that it saves you time and you can begin to earn in two-years’ time. And the jobs can be well paying too. 

E.g., an Air traffic Controller may earn $124,500 annually while a web Developer may earn $70,000 annually. So with inexpensive education, you can begin earning well.

With the security of an Associate’s degree and a job to boot, you can set career goals and work your way into a university with transfer credits or use the skills you acquire, to gain experience and stand a better chance of shining in a Bachelor’s degree program or in your chosen career.