An associate’s degree is an academic program taken at the undergraduate level (the first step after secondary school). It aims to provide students with the basic technical and academic knowledge and transferable skills they need for employment or further study in their chosen field.
Associate’s degrees are usually awarded in the US, but you can also find them in Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and parts of the Netherlands. Other countries have similar programs but under a different name, such as the Foundation Degree in the UK.
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There are Some FAQs regarding Associate Degree
What is an Associate Degree?
An Associate’s or Associate’s degree is a two-year academic program at the undergraduate level. The main goal of an associate degree is to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge that allow them to begin working in a particular field.
What are the different types of Associate degrees?
There are four main types of Associate degrees:
1. Associate of Arts (AA)
2. Associate of Science (AS)
3. Associate of Applied Arts (AAA)
4. Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
What are the other types of Associate degrees?
The AAA and AAS degrees are more practical, training students and teaching them skills that can be directly applied in the workplace after graduation. Other common types of associate degree include:
1. Associate of Business Administration (ABA)
2. Associate of General Studies (AGS)
3. Associate of Applied Business (AAB)
Is associate degree same as Bachelor Degree?
The most fundamental difference between a bachelor’s degree and an associate’s degree is the time it takes to complete the programs. Associate degrees are typically 2-year programs, while bachelor’s degree programs are typically 4 years and go into greater depth in the area of study.
Is associate degree a diploma?
Unlike certificates and diplomas, associate degrees include general academic subjects as well as specialization in an area of interest (similar to a major). Common examples include Associate of Arts (Business) and Associate of Arts (Science).
Which is better associates or bachelors?
While an associate’s degree costs less than a bachelor’s degree, there is a trade-off when it comes to the earning potential of graduates from those two programs.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average weekly earnings of a bachelor’s degree holder is $1,400, which equates to approximately $70,400 per year. For those with associate degrees, the weekly median earnings are $980, or just over $60,000 per year.
In other words, students with bachelor’s degrees earn about 39 percent more per year than students with associate’s degrees. This difference in long-term earning potential is often enough to make up for the cost associated with earning a bachelor’s degree—in short, education pays off.
What comes after an associates degree?
bachelor’s degree
There are generally four categories of college degrees: associate degree, bachelor’s degree, graduate degree, and doctorate or professional degree.
What are the highest paying jobs with an associate degree?
10 High Paying Jobs with an associate degree are given below:
1. Web Developer $82,171
2. Dental Hygienist $92,328
3. Registered Nurse $93,180
4. Radiographers & MRI Technologist $73,875
5. Respiratory Therapist $125,690
6. Diagnostic Imaging Worker $53,963
7. Computer Network Support Specialist $56,520
8. Occupational Therapy Assistant $73,964
9. Paralegal & Legal Assistant $49,408
10. Real Estate Agents $94,549
Which associate degree is best?
Mechanical Engineering Technology.
Health Science.
Network Systems Administration.
Nursing.
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program.
Paralegal Studies.
Physical Therapist Assistant.
Web Development.
Is Associate better than bachelor’s?
It pays to advance from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree because a bachelor’s degree is more desirable, and often required, by many employers. This reality is reflected in lower unemployment rates and higher average wages for those with 4-year degrees than those with associate degrees.