Associate Degree Guide

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What is an Associate Degree? 

 An associate degree is awarded after the completion of 20 courses or the credit equivalent which is about 50 credit hours. An associate degree can be completed in about 2 years of schooling. More than half a million associate's degrees are awarded yearly in the U.S. alone and distance learning has made this possible. You can earn your associate's degree from the comfort of your own home by taking accredited online courses. Associate's degrees can be for a specific program, or applied to bachelor's degrees and graduate degrees.

What types of Associate degrees are there?

There are only two different types of associate degrees: transferrable or occupational. Occupational associate degrees prepare students to work in a particular field. The Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Applied Arts, Associate of Applied Technology, and Associate of Occupational Studies are all occupational associate's degrees. Students that complete occupational associate degrees will be prepared to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation. Occupational associate degrees can also be transferred towards a bachelor degree.

Transferrable associate's degrees allow students to enter into a bachelor's program with about half the credits that have already been earned. Transferrable associate's degrees are usually made up of general education classes that are required for the degree.

Common Associate Degrees

• AA - Associate of Arts
• AE - Associate of Engineering or Associate in Electronics Engineering Technology
• AN - Associate of Nursing
• AS - Associate of Science
• AF - Associate of Forestry
• AT - Associate of Technology
• AAA - Associate of Applied Arts
• AAB - Associate of Applied Business
• AAS - Associate of Applied Science or Associate of Arts and Sciences
• AAT - Associate of Arts in Teaching
• ABA - Associate of Business Administration
• ABS - Associate of Baccalaureate Studies
• AND - Associate Degree in Nursing
• AES - Associate of Engineering Science
• AET - Associate in Engineering Technology
• AFA - Associate of Fine Arts
• AGS - Associate of General Studies
• AIT - Associate of Industrial Technology
• AOS - Associate of Occupational Studies
• APE - Associate of Pre-Engineering
• APS - Associate of Political Science or Associate of Public Service
• ASPT-APT - Associate in Physical Therapy

Associate's degrees are available in many different fields and most are offered online.