Associate’s degrees have been quite prevalent for the last twenty years. Frequently, people are turning to associate’s as a quicker, less expensive way to career change than the traditional bachelor or four-year degree.

What are associate degrees program?

Associate degrees are two-year programs that you can take after completing higher-secondary studies. So what are associate degree 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 primary college education to pursue a wide range of professions or even higher studies.

What are associate degree expenses?

Tuition fees and other expenses will be less for an associate degree since the course duration is shorter. But costs can vary depending on the institution and program you 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 two years with 60 credit hours, while a Bachelor’s degree needs four 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 more accessible 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 position, 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 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 for your chosen concentration subject. If you want to go straight to work upon completing your associate’s degree, this is the option for you.

What are Associate degree 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 the ACT: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/register.html‍
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation

An Associate's degree admission advantage is that you can get admission without having excellent high school or standardized test 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 study’s cost? A private college is more expensive while looking at a public university is costs less, and learning at a community college will cost much less than either.

Highest Paying Jobs with an Associate Degree

The good news is that many of today’s highest-paying jobs require only an associate degree.

Associate degree jobs that pay well include:

• Air Traffic Controller: $124,540
• Dental hygienist: $74,820
• Registered nurse: $71,730
• Radiological therapist: $80,570
• Occupational therapy assistant: $57,620
• Computer network support specialist: $68,050
• Web developer: $69,430
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer: $71,430

Is financial aid available for Associate degree programs?

International students will find it challenging to receive substantial aid, as most of the available assistance is federal aid. However, need-based institutional 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

Is an Associate Degree Worth It?

According to a study by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, in the past, good jobs—ones that pay a median annual salary of $56,000–were available to high school graduates. Although, the current economy supports workers with some training beyond high school, including associate degrees. The percentage of good jobs for people with associate degrees has been steadily rising over the past 25 years. 

As per the Georgetown University study, 28 percent of associate degree earners made more than the median earnings than their bachelor’s degree-holding counterparts. This means that an associate degree salary can mean more earning and savings potential than a bachelor’s degree in numerous cases. For example, an associate in nursing can mean a comparable salary to a bachelor’s in nursing.

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 rigors of travel to attend lectures.‍
• Multi-tasking - You can perhaps check 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 degree advantages? Why choose an Associate degree program?

Associate degrees are flexible, affordable, and will prepare you for a job. An Associate degree advantage saves you time, and you can begin to earn in two years. 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 affordable education, you can begin making 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 your chosen career.