AS programs include general studies curriculums that help learners transfer into different bachelor's programs, but they also offer focuses like accounting, paralegal studies, business administration, information technology, and pre-dental education, which prepare for entry into specific bachelor's programs. AS students can graduate in two years and pursue a variety of careers, including as paralegals , web developers , bookkeepers , and information clerks.
While AAS coursework can transfer into a four-year program, it is more common for AAS graduates to pursue work after graduation without earning a bachelor's degree. In this respect, these degrees are sometimes considered terminal.
These two-year, career-centered programs prepare for jobs in healthcare, engineering, construction, or home repair, including positions like dental hygienist , surgical technologist , welder , hairdresser , or construction equipment operator. Some of these careers also require a license or certification.
Admission into college associate degree programs requires a high school diploma or equivalent. Colleges and universities may also expect learners to have a specific minimum GPA and to complete their state's pre-college curriculum, which often includes English, math, and science courses.
Other admission materials can include personal statements, writing samples, and recommendation letters. Associate degrees require around 60 credits, which full-time students can complete in two years.
These credits frequently include general education coursework in English, math, social sciences, and natural sciences. Associate learners may also take classes in public speaking and computers, plus concentration-specific coursework.
For example, accounting students may need classes in federal taxation and business law, and education students may take child development and literacy courses. Schools can also require college introduction classes, which familiarize students with higher education and help them develop study skills.
Beyond the usual papers, exams, and projects, some programs require field experiences, clinicals, labs, practicums, or internships. These requirements are particularly common in healthcare programs, like medical assistant or nursing degrees. Similarly, early childhood education programs may require practicums in preschools or childcares, and paralegal students may need to complete an internship.
Students may need to take out student loans with payment plans in order to afford tuition, which can lead to student loan default or forced pauses in studying for candidates who fall behind on tuition payments. To help manage costs like tuition and textbooks, degree-seekers should fill out a FAFSA to apply for financial aid, which can give them access to grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.
Readers can visit this page for more information on financial assistance. Typically, you don't want your cost of attendance to exceed your financial aid award, though a reasonable out-of-pocket amount is sometimes acceptable. Public schools are usually cheaper than private institutions. In-state programs can also cost less than out-of-state options, and online students may also pay less for tuition, though they often need to pay technology fees. Students should consider all of these factors when choosing programs.
Associate degrees introduce learners to foundational concepts related to their disciplines, as well as general education subjects. These courses are usually harder than high school classes, but not as in-depth as upper-level or graduate curriculums. Time frames and credit requirements vary, but degree-seekers usually graduate in two years.
Career starters are recent high school graduates entering college for the first time, as well as adult learners returning to college for additional education. Pursuing an associate degree can help career starters discover the right career.
It can also put them on the path toward a bachelor's degree. A career switcher is usually a working professional interested in changing their career to another field or industry.
Earning an associate degree helps career switchers learn new skills and techniques, preparing them to meet new professional challenges. Career accelerators are generally working professionals — possibly with previous college experience — looking to advance in their current career. Associates degrees may help career accelerators learn new skills, understand emerging technologies, and meet educational requirements set by their employers. Earning a degree may also lead to a pay raise.
Colleges and universities maintain different application processes. To complete all the necessary steps and ensure good odds of gaining admission, prospective students should spend several months preparing.
This section provides important advice about collecting application materials and submitting required forms ahead of deadlines. Many community colleges, vocational schools, and technical colleges offer open enrollment, which means that any applicant will be admitted as long as they hold a high school or GED diploma.
However, some online associate degree programs also require students to submit standardized test scores. Test scores may also be required for certain degrees, such as nursing and education, and transfer programs aimed at future bachelor's students.
The SAT features multiple-choice sections in math and reading comprehension. Currently, the maximum SAT score is The ACT is slightly different. This test features four required sections: reading, English, math, and scientific reasoning.
The ACT also includes an optional essay. Each required section is graded on a scale of points. The four scores combine to yield an aggregate score. The optional essay is graded separately on a point scale. These exams are comparable with one another. However, certain schools may accept one but not the other, so students must make sure they submit the correct scores to each school on their list.
If applying to a diverse pool of schools, students may want to consider sitting for both exams during their junior or senior years. Regardless of their grades and academic achievements, high school students should err on the side of caution and apply to more than one school. All schools fall into one of three categories.
Safety schools are institutions that are incredibly likely to accept you based on your credentials, but may not be your first choice as an academic destination. Target schools represent institutions that will most likely accept you; these are also institutions you would like to attend. Finally, reach schools, while less likely to grant you admission, are well-renowned institutions with reputable programs in your desired area of study. PrepScholar suggests submitting applications to target schools, reach schools, and two safety schools.
Compare schools based on the required time commitment for students. Most programs accept full-time and part-time learners, although some may not. An asynchronous program may appeal to students who are currently employed, such as career accelerators and changers.
However, synchronous programs generally feature a more interactive learning experience, allowing students to network and collaborate more often with their peers.
All credits earned at regionally accredited colleges and universities should be transferable to other accredited institutions, although some schools do not accept credits from nationally accredited institutions. As a result, students should ensure credit transferability from all the schools on their list, especially if they intend to go on and pursue a bachelor's degree.
In some cases, students can qualify for course credits without needing to complete a class. Experiential credit is more common in AS and AAS programs, but students should look into experiential opportunities for all programs.
Application deadlines can creep up on students who are not prepared. Some schools only accept applications and grant admission during certain months of the year. The deadline for enrolling in the fall term for these schools usually occurs between January and March. Other schools accept applications on a rolling basis and enroll new students throughout the year.
Most applicants to these schools receive a response within weeks. Meeting technical requirements is crucial for online students. A reliable computer and high-speed internet connection are essential. Certain programs may also require specific applications and computer programs. Students who are unsure if they meet technology requirements should reach out to the school's online programs division for more information.
However, applicants should not seek letters of recommendation from family members or friends whom they have not worked with in the past. Obtaining letters may take some time, so applicants should give each recommender at least six weeks notice before they plan to mail their application. Follow up with anyone who appears to be delaying the process. A resume is a comprehensive summary of an applicant's employment history, academic achievements, and volunteer experience.
Recent high school graduates should include all past jobs. If they haven't held an official job before, then they should provide details about volunteer work, school leadership projects, and other similar experiences.
For career accelerators and changers who have been out of high school for several years, a resume should focus primarily on work experience and professional recognition. College applications vary in terms of personal statement and essay requirements. In some cases, applicants must write a summary of their academic and professional goals as they relate to that particular program.
Other applications ask students to write an essay in response to a given prompt. Most accredited public and private colleges and universities ask applicants to provide official high school transcripts that include all course grades and the student's cumulative GPA. Be careful when requesting transcripts because unofficial transcripts are also widely available, even though they are not deemed acceptable by most admissions departments.
Some community colleges ask students to sit for English and math placement exams to determine their academic aptitude and which courses they should enroll in first. Readers should consider several factors when choosing an online associate program, including program type, cost, and career opportunities after graduation.
Many colleges offer online and in-person programs. Students should determine how much flexibility they need in their schedule. Working students might prefer an online program, whereas full-time students may prefer fully in-person instruction.
Students looking for an in-person program should also consider their proximity to their chosen school and their plans for attending classes. In some cases, online programs cost less than on-campus programs. Potential students should look into whether they qualify for in-state tuition.
Students should also think about how their degree will enhance their employment opportunities. Many online programs also accept transfer college credits from other on-campus or online institutions.
This is particularly helpful if you had to pause your education years ago. You can also choose to take a College Level Equivalency Program CLEP exam in a particular subject area to test out of college courses, specifically certain prerequisites, and receive college credit for those classes.
Typically, credits earned in associate degree programs can be applied toward general education requirements. Connect with her on LinkedIn. In today's competitive workforce, it can pay - literally - to advance from an associate to bachelor's degree. Learn more about the career and salary growth you could experience with a bachelor's degree. There are many factors to consider when choosing which path is for you, including time commitment and cost.
Two of the most popular types of credentials are degrees and certificates, and each can be significant in helping you achieve your goals. While often referred to as a 2-year college degree, there are several factors that determine just how long it will take to get an associate degree. Choosing a program with liberal transfer policies can reduce how many credits you'll need to take, and exploring online options that offer more than two terms each academic year can help you finish faster.
October 28,
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