| Thinking about pursuing an online associate degree? | | | | degree, you will need to check with the 4-year |
| Enrolling in an online 2-year program can be the fastest | | | | colleges you're interested to see which courses will be |
| and most convenient way to further your education | | | | accepted for transfer. Many 4-year colleges will only |
| and meet career goals. Those enrolled in online | | | | accept the general education/liberal arts courses as |
| associate and 2-year programs account for over half | | | | equivalent; others are more liberal, especially with online |
| of all online students. Whether you are looking for an | | | | business and liberal arts programs. |
| Associate in Arts, an Associate in Science, Associate | | | | Associate degrees are usually given by technical, |
| in Applied Science, you may want to look no farther | | | | community or junior colleges. Some 2-year colleges |
| than your monitor! | | | | are housed within a larger college or university that |
| Why Online? | | | | offers more advanced degrees. You can carry a |
| Online associates degrees and 2-year programs | | | | part-time load, if that suits your purposes and lifestyle, |
| provide first and foremost, a quality education, | | | | but usually financial aid is only extended to full-time |
| comparable or exceeding in rigorousness to traditional | | | | students. |
| on-campus programs. There is a multitude of liberal | | | | On the other hand, if you want to accelerate your |
| arts, technical, and specialized courses available with | | | | studies and finish early, speak with an advisor at the |
| the same financial aid opportunities as on-campus | | | | school to make sure you are following the required |
| programs. Additionally, online courses are accessible | | | | sequence of courses. |
| and convenient. It gives you the ability to take | | | | Associate of Arts (A.A.): The Associate of Arts |
| advantage of courses or programs not offered in your | | | | degree is granted for completion of (primarily) general |
| area and you can study from the comfort of your | | | | education or liberal arts courses. This type of online |
| home or laptop, when and where you want. An online | | | | degree is useful for students who plan on transferring |
| associates degree can be your vehicle forgetting | | | | to a 4-year college after receiving their A.A. degree, or |
| where you want to go professionally by providing a | | | | want a broad, non-specialized knowledge base. |
| route to certification or licensure in many areas. | | | | Associate of Science (A.S.): The Associate of |
| The financial perks of completing an online associate's | | | | Science degree also has a core of liberal arts and |
| or 2-year program are quite significant over time. | | | | sciences courses that must be completed, but unlike |
| Consider that associate degree holders make an | | | | the A.A. degree, also has a core of early division |
| average of $8,000 more per year than high school | | | | prerequisite courses in specialized fields such as |
| graduates. The median income for a person with a | | | | engineering, science, math, and agriculture, that require |
| 2-year degree is $36,000 (Women $33,400 in 2004, | | | | certain courses before continuing with the desired |
| Men 41,900 in 2004).To add to that, expected lifetime | | | | program at the 4-year baccalaureate level. |
| earnings for a person with an A.A., A.S. or A.A.S. | | | | Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.): The Associate in |
| degree are over $1,500,000. You may be 2 years or | | | | Applied Science degrees are not intended for transfer |
| less from a new set of job opportunities and higher | | | | to 4-year colleges, but geared toward preparing the |
| pay in a field you want. | | | | student for a specific occupation upon graduation. |
| 2 Year Online Degree Programs | | | | These programs offer a wide variety of specialized |
| Because of the variety and usefulness of 2-year | | | | programs that allow you to join the workforce in the |
| online programs, many are using them to advance their | | | | field you have chosen. If you later plan to attend a |
| careers, develop specialized skills, or prepare | | | | 4-year school, they likely will transfer only the liberal |
| themselves for transfer to a 4-year baccalaureate | | | | arts/general education credits earned. |
| program. Two year colleges usually take 4 semesters | | | | The variety of specialized programs and career tracks |
| of about 15 credit hours each (considered full time) and | | | | available online is incredible. Whatever your field of |
| require completion of 60 credit hours (or the | | | | interest there is something for you. |
| equivalent). Many programs can be accelerated so | | | | What's next? |
| that they take 18 months or less to finish. If you have | | | | If you are serious about expanding your choices and |
| acceptable transfer credits, that may shorten the | | | | making more money, the quickest route is with an |
| duration of your program also. | | | | associate or 2-year degree. who is well settled in a |
| Two year college programs generally have 3 | | | | career, but thinking about a change. Spend some time |
| components. First, there are general education/liberal | | | | on the net. Make sure the online degree programs you |
| arts and sciences courses. If you are concentrating on | | | | are interested in are being offered by accredited online |
| a specific program you will have specialized courses in | | | | colleges or universities and truly offer what you want. |
| line with the major you intend to take. In addition, you | | | | If you need help, ask! Admissions offices can help you |
| have a few elective classes, which you can choose to | | | | know if their school is a good choice for your particular |
| compliment the rest of your program or take courses | | | | goals. Financial aid offices will fill you in on payment |
| in other subjects that may interest you. | | | | options. If you still need help, contact us. |
| If your plans include the possibility of transferring to a | | | | Best of luck with your search! |
| 4-year college after completing your online associate's | | | | |