While the number of credits vary in each core category, the AA and AS degrees share the same core courses. The best strategy for your first semester is to choose core courses from either degree. That way if you change your mind or major, the chance of taking courses that are not required for your degree is minimized. The Loading Associate in Arts Degree AA degree is best suited for transfer to a four-year college for many majors. In addition, the AA degree provides the most flexibility for students that are undecided about a transfer college or major. Associate in Science Degree AS degree is best suited for students that want to enter a career field after two years but want the option to transfer to a four-year college in a related field. The programs of study that lead to an Loading

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Associate of Arts (A.A.)
Covid Updates. In a rush to get a good job and start earning your own money? Then you might want to consider getting an Associate of Applied Science degree this coming school year. Continue reading to learn more about an AAS degree — its key difference from other available degrees, perks, kinds of careers that might be possible, requirements to be able to earn it, and examples of programs you might choose from. Associate of Applied Science is similar to an Associate of Arts AA and Associate of Science AS in that all of them can be completed in just two years, or less if you attend an accelerated private college like Fremont College. They are all considered to be undergraduate degrees. You can apply to earn your AAS at a learning institution who offers this sort of degree. Some good examples include vocational schools, technical colleges and community colleges.
Associate of Science (AS)
An associate degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study lasting two to three years. It is a level of qualification above a high school diploma , GED , or matriculation , and below a bachelor's degree. The first associate degrees were awarded in the UK where they are no longer awarded in before spreading to the US in In the United States, the associate degree may allow transfer into the third year of a bachelor's degree. In , Australia added "associate degree" to the Australian Qualifications Framework. Brazil follows the major traits of the continental European system; free public schools are available from kindergarten up to postgraduate degrees, both as a right established in Article 6, caput of the Brazilian Constitution and as a duty of the State in Article , Items I, IV and V, of the Brazilian Constitution. A technologist's degree varies between 2 and 3 years of full time studies to complete. This degree takes a shorter time period to obtain than a bachelor or teaching degree some of which may take between 4 and 6 years to complete , and it aims to provide highly specialized knowledge e. Due to the decentralized nature of Canada, each province is responsible for education, and the education system across Canada is not standardized. British Columbia [6] [7] is the only Canadian province offering American-style associate degrees.
Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. Associate degrees are foundational degrees that can help students achieve academic and professional goals in less time than it takes to earn bachelor's degrees. An associate degree is often used as a building block toward a bachelor's. Transfer credits from a two-year associate program can count toward general education, core, and elective classes for the four-year degree. Community colleges, which frequently charge lower tuition than four-year schools, may deliver these associate degrees online. Associate programs can also qualify students for entry-level careers in fields like healthcare, education, and public service. Preschool teachers , for instance, only need an associate degree. In other fields, an associate degree can mean increased pay and career opportunities, even if the job does not require a degree. Plumbers, for instance, do not need a degree, but companies may prefer applicants with an associate.