Associates Degree

An Associate degree is a degree that can be earned in two years to four years of study. In some instances, under intense study, an Associate degree can be earned in less than two years, depending upon the university offering the program.

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Associates Degree - Overview
An Associate degree is a degree that can be earned in two years to four years of study. In some instances, under intense study, an Associate degree can be earned in less than two years, depending upon the university offering the program. On occasion, an institution will allow students credit for life experience or special qualifications: such qualifications are usually assessed by specific testing. The test; known as CLEP or the College Level Examination Program, permits incoming students to prove their skills and earn credits toward an Associate Degree.

The Associate Degree has a number of sub-categories that define it. There is an Associate Degree in Arts, an Associate Degree in Science, an Associate Degree of Applied Science, an Associate Degree of Occupational Studies, an Associate Degree in Business Administration, an Associate Degree of Arts and Teaching, and an Associate Degree in Individual Studies, also known as an Associate Degree in General Studies. Each degree is further defined by the course requirements that must be filled in order for the degree to be obtained by the student. Typically, unless otherwise defined by the educating institution, a student must complete 60 credit hours in order to obtain an Associate Degree.

The credits earned for an Associate Degree are often transferable toward a Bachelor’s Degree. If the institution where the Associate Degree was obtained does not offer a Bachelor’s program the student can then transfer credits earned to a different, accepting institution. Many students that pursue an Associate Degree continue on for a Bachelor’s degree, and, in some instances, a Masters Degree and a PhD. Essentially, an Associate Degree is the first of several degrees a student can earn in college.

Requirements
The student looking to obtain an Associate Degree will need to have a high school diploma or a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). Some programs allow for students to obtain their diploma from the college before entering directly into an Associate Degree program. Students that attend high school would benefit from taking the SAT. The SAT is a test that measures the student’s ability to reason and analyze and a good score on the exam can equate to special funding and scholarships for the student seeking an Associate Degree.

If the student plans to attend a traditional campus, other requirements will need to be met. The student may be required to take an entrance exam. The college entrance exam is created to determine if the student has any educational weaknesses. If a weakness is identified, the student will be instructed to take several required classes. Such classes may or may not apply toward the student’s Associate Degree, depending upon the institution. However, the courses will be a prerequisite to other courses that are part of the degree program. This is done to ensure that every student is given a fair chance at passing the courses needed to complete the degree.

Students entering college will have to have a complete physical and they will also have to provide the school with a birth certificate, a social security number, and they will need to have a record of their immunizations. A certificate from the county in which the student resides is also required—this is to determine a county’s taxation for education and also as proof of residency. Most students will meet with an advisor to discuss what is needed for enrollment completion.

Types
When a student is unsure about a major upon entering college, they can opt to work toward a degree in Individual Studies. Individual Studies offers the student the opportunity to get a well rounded education while they explore and decide what it is they will eventually major in. At any time during their course of study the student should discover what really peaks their interest, they can begin shaping their studies around that interest.

The two main divisions of Associate Degrees are an Associate Degree of Arts and an Associate Degree of Science. The Associate Degree of Arts is a degree that is earned by those individuals that focus on individual studies, social sciences, or the humanities. Meanwhile, the Associate Degree of Science is given to students who earn course credits that focus on math, science or technology.

There are other Associate degree divisions that students pursue. For instance, a student can get an Associate of Fine Arts which is a degree that centralizes in the Arts and theater. While there are many different divisions, the Associate Degree usually prepares the student for a four year college where they can complete the needed credits for a Bachelor’s. There are many jobs that require that the student have four years of college under their belt and the Associate Degree can be a stepping stone to obtaining that goal.

Some students find that it is less expensive if they study for two years at a community college and then transfer to a four year college to complete their Bachelor’s degree. This is a perfectly reasonable step if people are looking to save money on their college education. Other students opt to bypass the Associate Degree entirely, and to go straight into a four year program. Essentially, it is up to the student and what works best for him or her.

Study
Typically, the student that takes on an Associate degree program will be required to study for a period lasting two years at a community college or other institution. This figure is based on the curriculum being divided into 30 credit hours per year, or if the student attends for the fall and spring semesters, 15 credits per semester. That works out to full time study at five courses per semester.

Some students choose to take on extra credits, as much as 18 per semester and to study during the summer recess as well. Many campuses offer courses during the summer that are applicable toward a degree; this speeds up the process of getting an Associate degree, and some students get a degree in as little as one year’s time.

Meanwhile, returning students tend to go to school part time and complete a degree program at a pace that is comfortable for them. Some students take 4 to 5 years to earn an Associate degree. If the student wants to be eligible for financial aid assistance, they will need to attend classes at least part time, or work six credits each semester.

Students that move on to a Bachelor’s degree program add an additional 60 credit requirement to their agenda. Another two years of study is demanded of the Bachelor’s student: and it can be pursued on a part time or full time basis. Students that have families to raise or that work full time often choose to study part time. The course work is demanding and full time course work requires one’s full time attention, particularly if the student wants to be successful or if their grades directly affect their financial aid.

Campuses
Community colleges are located all over the United States. Students can choose to visit campuses, set up an appointment with an advisor and discuss their interests. Traditional campuses have much to offer the college student. Most campuses allow for students to purchase textbooks right on the campus grounds in a book store that focuses on college supplies and texts. Further, many campuses have incredible libraries, computer labs and the like where students can work toward their associate degree.

Not every campus is the same however, and it would serve the student well to check out several colleges before deciding which college they want to attend. Things students will want to consider are the cost of housing, parking, lab fees, and accessibility to stores and the like. Most colleges are situated in large communities so that shopping and the like are easily accessible activities. If the student does not own a car they will want to set aside extra funding from public transportation needs.

If a student cannot afford housing at a college, they may want to choose a nearby university to attend which they can commute too, or they may even try online studies where they can study for an Associate degree from home. In fact, receiving a degree online may work out to be less expensive than attending a traditional campus for classes. A student will need to completely familiarize themselves with the process of online learning before they make their final decision. Online learning is a completely different ball game: while the requirements for an Associate degree remain the same, the classroom experience is quite different than the experience one would receive in a traditional classroom.

Internet
Getting an Associate degree online is a totally different experience from earning a degree at a traditional brick and mortar campus, especially in terms of the classroom. Students will, after successful enrollment in a program, be exposed to a virtual classroom setting. The virtual classroom is a lot like a chat room session and it can at first be a bit confusing to the student. Further, communication with the professor and other students is performed through written communication. The student will often find themselves posting to classroom forums, chat boards, and message areas, as well as submitting papers electronically. If the student is unfamiliar with the workings of electronic communication, it is imperative that they master this step first.

Online education requires a lot of reading. Students will have to read lectures and course materials online in addition to text material that is assigned. There is an equal amount of writing involved in online learning. To get an Associate degree online, the student will want to ready themselves for the extraordinary amount of work that is ahead of them.

The online student needs to be self motivated if they plan to complete their classes and studies in a timely fashion. Students will be required to completed assignments before or by certain deadlines. Further, students should not make the mistake of believing that online education is easier on the student: they will still need to follow college guidelines for all papers and homework. The use of MLA and APA guidelines remain in effect. The only primary difference between online study and classroom learning is that one gets to study from the comfort of home.

Costs
Of course, costs vary from one college to the next. Community colleges are far less expensive than a private college or university. Meanwhile, online study reduces the cost of getting an Associate degree. First of all, students will not be required to pay for the cost of commuting back and forth to classes every day. Secondly, students will not have to pay for parking or housing, which are a significant part of college costs. Third, students will sometimes find that online courses are a bit lower per credit hour than courses at universities.

Students that go to college online or off will find that they are still responsible for certain fees like textbooks and tuition. While some students have jobs that offer tuition reimbursement, other students take out personal loans to pay for college. Still other students take out student loans and receive financial aid and scholarships to assist with the cost of college.

On average, a student can spend as much as 15,000 dollars or more for an Associate’s degree. Some colleges charge no more than several thousand dollars per semester, while others can charge over 20,000 dollars per semester.

Students can usually receive a break down of costs when they view the course catalogs offered by colleges. Prices are often broke down per credit hour, per course, or per semester. A student will need to sit down and budget their funding accordingly.

Aid
Financial aid helps defray the costs of college while a student studies for an Associates degree online or off. Some students receive assistance from the government in the way of grants. Grants do not have to be repaid and the money goes directly toward the cost of tuition and books. Meanwhile, students can apply for student loans and receive additional funding to help pay for the cost of tuition. When the student graduates they will have a six month grace period before the loan payments will begin.

Students will have to apply for financial aid and it can be done online. They will need to supply the government with information pertaining to income and if they are living with their parents, the parents’ income information will have to be provided. The government than determines the amount the family is expected to contribute to the student’s education, if any. Students fill out a form electronically, called a FAFSA, and it is a form that is renewed each year the student attends the college of their choice.

Federal PELL grants are grants that a student will not have to repay. Meanwhile, Federal Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, and Federal Plus Loans are all sources of funding that require repayment after the student graduates or leaves the college. Federal work study can also help to defray the costs of an Associate degree program. The student can work on campus, if they have the time and inclination, and the money can be used toward tuition.

There are some companies that offer special scholarships for their employees and the children of their employees so that they can attend college. It may be beneficial to look into such possibilities. Meanwhile, some large companies offer tuition reimbursement. Many returning students rely on tuition reimbursement to help them pay for the cost of their education.

Scholarships
Scholarships are not solely based on one’s academic performance. Some scholarships are based solely on financial need while other scholarships require that the student meet a certain number of obligations before the scholarship is awarded. There are scholarships awarded for well written essays, artwork, stories, creative projects and the like. A student won’t know if they qualify until they read the requirements and apply.

Scholarships are offered through universities as well as online. Students can search for scholarships that match their studies and interests and apply for them by following the guidelines offered. Every scholarship is designed differently, and they are offered all of the time. A student is only limited to what defines the scholarship and when it is offered. A common mistake many students make is to believe that they have to be a stellar student or that they can only apply for scholarships at the beginning of their college career. This is simply not true: students get scholarships all the time, many of which are offered by off campus organizations.

The most important thing a student can do when applying for a scholarship is to follow the directions precisely. Many students apply for scholarships and are denied because they did not complete the application requirements or they submitted their application after the posed deadline. In any case, scholarships don’t necessarily come to the student: the student will need to seek out opportunities and take advantage of them. A quick Internet search reveals hundred of available scholarships for the student pursuing an associates degree online or off.


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