Navigate your Career: The Associate's Degree

What is an associate's degree?

An associate's degree is a type of undergraduate degree used to prepare for employment, transition into a new vocation or provide the foundation for a future degree.

The basic degree consists of three primary components:

• general education
• major concentration
• electives

All degrees include some general education courses in humanities, social and natural sciences, or mathematics. Students pursuing an associate's degree seek to improve their oral and written communication, problem solving and critical thinking skills. They appreciate that coursework is designed to provide a broad foundation that can either be enhanced with future studies or used immediately upon graduation.

Degree programs vary considerably. Students may select general degrees or concentrate in a particular area. The value of a course is normally expressed in 'credit hours'. This is the number of class meeting hours per week. A biology class might be worth four credit hours because of the laboratory time that goes with it, whereas an English class might be valued at three credit hours. A full-time undergraduate student is expected to enroll for at least 12 credit hours each semester. Most programs require the completion of 60 credit hours which results in two years of full-time coursework. Some concentrations such as engineering and radiology, however, require up to 84 credit hours. The timeframe for completing a degree varies according to the school and program selected, and the student's specific needs.

Why consider an associate's degree?

Education seekers, particularly the adult student population, have become more sophisticated consumers who now demand that education fit their career requirements and personal academic desires. They seek current, useful programs that offer convenience and ease of access to coursework.

Employment in occupations requiring at least an associate's degree is expected to grow by 32 percent through 2008 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Ranked within the top six fastest growing categories, computer support specialists and registered nurses are two occupations requiring associate degrees. Annual earnings data places these occupations and others requiring associate degrees in higher earning categories.

What are the different kinds of associate's degrees?

There are two fundamental types of associate's degree:

• Academic
  These degrees are also referred to as AA (Associate of Arts) or AS (Associate of Science). Coursework is similar to the first two years of four-year Bachelor programs. Majors can include English, Business, Math or Technology. Once required coursework is complete and a degree granted, graduates can either seek employment or transfer credits to a four-year college for work towards a Bachelor's Degree.
  
  
• Vocational or Terminal
  These degrees are also referred to as AAS (Associate of Applied Science). Technical coursework is required, and majors may include computer programming, sign language interpretation, or radiology. Usually considered a final degree, credit hours are not normally transferred for an additional degree. Completion of required coursework and granting of a degree prepare students for employment and transition into their specialty.

Where can you enroll for an associate's degree?

The increased demand for high quality education not requiring the time or financial commitment of a bachelor degree has encouraged colleges and universities across the country to offer associate degree programs that meet student and business needs. Web-based and distance learning, as well as other flexible options including part-time hours, have improved the ease of obtaining a quality educational foundation. Once the domain of community and technical colleges, many two and four year educational institutions are responding with comprehensive, easily accessible and affordable degrees, such as an associate's degree.

Is an associate's degree right for you?

Many more companies now require an associate's degree as the minimum qualification necessary for entry into employment. Paul Kaihla in his Business 2.0 article conveys current economic conditions. In 1982 an entry level plant operator at Intel needed a high school education. Intel still employs plant operators; however, that 1982 worker's skills today are obsolete. Entry-level applicants for this job now require at least a two-year degree in applied science.

References

• George Paris Conway "Higher Education Trends in the 21st Century" www.degreeinfo.com
• U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics www.bls.gov "2002-03 Occupational Outlook Handbook"
• National Center for Education Statistics www.nces.ed.gov
• The Fulbright Commission www.fulbright.co.uk
• Latin American Educational Foundation - www.laef.org Arthur Cohen and Florence Brawer "The Collegiate Function of Community Colleges" (article)
• Business 2.0, September 2003. www.business2.com "The Coming Job Boom." By Paul Kaihla

About the Author

A freelance writer and researcher, Liz Carlock runs her own business, The Write Resources, providing writing, editing, and market strategy services to businesses, government agencies and individuals. She has over 15 years experience in senior level marketing positions in a variety of industries, and has worked for companies such as Sun Microsystems, ConferTech International, and Marquest Medical Products. Liz earned a B.S. degree in Business/Marketing at the University of Colorado and makes Boulder, CO her home.