What is Associate Degree

If you wish to pursue higher education, then it is not just a bachelor’s or master’s degree that you can apply for. Have you heard of associate degrees? What is an associate degree you ask? These degrees may enable entry into your coveted bachelor’s programs while sometimes helping you to gain entry into specific industries. Here’s learning more about this degree and why you should consider it for your education abroad.

What is Associate Degree

An associate’s degree is an undergraduate academic program designed to provide students with essential technical and academic knowledge as well as transferable skills necessary for either employment or further study in their chosen field. Associate’s degrees are most commonly found in the US, but they are also available in parts of Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, and the Netherlands. Similar programs exist in other countries under different names, such as foundation degrees in the UK.

In the US, associate’s degrees can be pursued at various institutions, including community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, affiliated colleges of universities, and university institutes. Typically, completing an associate’s degree requires two years of full-time study.

For some students, an associate’s degree is a starting point toward a bachelor’s degree, while for others, it is a standalone qualification that improves employment opportunities compared to those with only a secondary-level education.

Difference Between Bachelor Degree and Associate Degree

Here is a closer look at the inherent differences between these two undergraduate-level courses. 

Types of Associate Degrees

Here are the kinds of associate degrees that you should know more about: 

• AA or Associate of Arts
• AAA or Associate of Applied Arts
• AS or Associate of Science
• AAS or Associate of Applied Science 

Courses in the applied category may emphasize specific careers or professions more, with students learning more vocational and hands-on skills. AS and AA courses may help students who wish to enter into bachelor’s degrees with greater emphasis on academic preparation. 

Reasons to Pursue Associate Degree

There are several reasons why you should pursue an associate degree. Some of them include the following:- 

• Faster entry into a specific career and the workplace by building particular technical and vocational skills. 
• Preparing for the high academic standards of bachelor’s degrees with transferable credits. Sometimes aspirants may not have suitable grades for entry into bachelor’s programs or desire to wait for some years to accumulate the costs. 
• Flexible application timelines and online course options. 
• Comparatively lower costs in comparison to bachelor’s degrees. 

Top Universities Abroad Offering Associate Degrees

Look at the top universities worldwide, known for their exceptional associate degree programs and strong career outcomes for graduates.

Scope After Associate Degree

There is immense scope for aspirants after completing their associate degrees. There are several career options based on the degree type and the chosen subject. Available jobs may include everything from web developers and dental hygienists to nuclear technicians and radiation therapists. 

Sometimes associate degrees may be sufficient to enter specific career fields. There is also the scope of transferring to a bachelor’s course in the chosen field with acceptable university credits. Sometimes it can be done halfway through the program, i.e. the 2+2 system.

Top 10 Career Options After Associate Degree 

Here are some of the best-paying career options after pursuing an associate degree. 

Conclusion

As you can see, an associate degree can sometimes be your gateway towards pursuing your preferred bachelor’s degree. It may also help you get job-ready and enter the workforce faster in some scenarios.