Benefits of Earning an Online Associate Degree

Earning an associate degree can benefit students in more ways than one, from associate degree jobs for increased pay to job security. And there are even more benefits for those who pursue such a program online, especially in our world of busy schedules and long commutes. Some of the benefits to completing online associate degree programs include:

• Higher weekly pay: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) reports that adults who have earned an associate degree have a higher median weekly pay that those with only a high school education or those without a high school diploma.
• Better job security: Adults who have earned an associate degree also have a lower unemployment rate that those with only a high-school education or some college training (BLS.gov). In fact, the Lumina Foundation (LuminaFoundation.org) reports that four out of five jobs lost during the Great Recession were low-skill jobs that required a high school education or less.
• Flexibility and affordability: Online associate degree programs can help students to save time and money that others spend on commuting or housing. Some online programs even have rolling admissions, meaning students can find different start dates throughout the year.
• Promotion/Work opportunities: The BLS estimates that two-thirds of job openings by 2020 may require postsecondary training. Even in 2018, many employers preferred to hire candidates who demonstrate the needed education for the position and/ or the initiative to go back to school to build their skills. An associate degree program can be an excellent way for working adults to advance their education.

These programs are the shortest full-length degree programs offered at the undergraduate level and.

Associate Degree versus Bachelor's Degree

As compared to other degree levels, here are some of an associate's degree requirements and programs:

• Typically take about two years to complete
• Are widely available through vocational schools, community colleges, trade schools and online colleges
• Are available in diverse fields, such as criminal justice, allied health, information technology
• Require general education courses, like in math and English, as well as specific courses related to a field

Reasons to Pursue an Associate Degree Program

Despite these similarities, not all associate degree programs are necessarily the same, even taking into account the differences between different schools and majors. In particular, there are several different formats in which these programs can be completed:

Online Associate Degree Programs for Career Training

Many associate degree programs are created to help students learn the roles and responsibilities of associate degree jobs. Examples:

• HVAC
• Physical therapy assisting
• Veterinary assisting
• Nursing (usually for LPN/LVNs or RNs)
• Radiologic technology

Associate Programs that Transfer to a Four-Year School

Other associate degree programs are more general in focus, like sociology or criminal justice, but may offer the ability to transfer to a four-year bachelor's degree program later on. These are often known as "completion" degrees, or sometimes as "2+2" degrees.

Associate Degrees Can Be Quicker to Earn

An associate degree program can be often completed in as little as two years, and sometimes less. In fact, some high schools even allow students to start earning college credit in their senior year via AP classes, offering the opportunity to start an associate degree program with multiple required courses already considered completed.

Occupations That Can Start with an Associate Degree

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, many occupations only require candidates to have an associate degree. Here's a look at some of them, but continue researching to find the associate degree jobs that best suit your interests.