What is an Associate Degree?

An Associate Degree is a type of undergraduate degree, requiring a minimum of 60 semester credit hours. The program consists of three parts: general education requirements, major requirements, and electives. You can complete an online associate degree at your own pace; full-time study is equivalent to 4 semesters or 2 years (15 semester credit hours). Accelerated online associate degree programs are available. Online associate degrees are the same as on-campus or in-classroom associate degrees, but the degree can be taken entirely through the Internet or by distance education. Associate degrees are awarded by a community, junior or technical colleges indicating that you have completed a program of study with a broad base in general education and a concentration in a specific area. Your degree may be in an occupational area (such as Electronics) or in liberal arts (such as an associate degree in science or arts).Associate of Applied Science degrees (or occupational associate degrees) are now preferred by many employers for mid-level technology positions.An online associate degree in business, liberal arts, and other disciplines, is widely accepted for transfer into bachelor's degree programs throughout the country.Types of Associate Degree Programs:

• A.A. - "Associate of Arts" degree
  This degree is designed to transfer to a four-year college or university.A.A.S. - "Associate of Applied Science" degree
  Designed to prepare graduates for career entry or job advancement after 2 years of college study. AAS degrees may transfer in whole or in part to 4 year colleges. A.A.S degrees may also be known by occupational specific titles such as Associate in Engineering Technology, Associate in Business, etc.A.S. - "Associate of Science" degree
  Designed to transfer to a 4 year college or university.
• Occupational Degree
  Also referred to as "applied" degree programs, an occupational degree program at a two-year college is designed to prepare students to enter the workforce immediately following graduation. The primary function is career preparation, however some courses and/or programs may transfer to 4 year colleges.

Online Associate Degrees Available
Coolege-Degree.com features universities and colleges offering online associate degree programs in the following disciplines:

Making the Grade - E-learning meets the challenge of traditional schools. Knowledge, technical know-how or information of any kind, is one of the world's driving forces. It always has been, but in 2005, its influence is global. Read More

Catch 22 - "It has been said that, "Only the curious will learn and only the resolute overcome the obstacles to learning." Unfortunately, this sentiment is often reduced to, "only the WEALTHY will learn," and those obstacles? Ever-increasing tuitions and fees." Read More

Personal Responsiblity - "For many of us, the unquestioned path that follows a high school diploma is a full time commitment to further education. While this educational endeavour is undoubtedly a noble one, we must not assume that the only way to achieve these goals is through the attendance every day for four years or more at a physical campus. " Read More

Untraditional Path - " Watching a Steven Spielberg movie, you'd naturally assume that the man behind the camera holds a college degree that helped him realize his visions. You would most likely think the same reading a treatise from famed anthropologist Richard Leakey." Read More

On the Offensive -" In most industries, when businesses start to decline the companies experiencing the drop make changes to improve their bottom lines. They change their prices, improve their quality or start providing better service." Read More

Mediocrity Rules - "Part of the problem with getting hired when you don't have a degree, but have plenty of experience, is that the menial functionary to whom your resume goes in the human resources department has a degree, and is on the inside of the whole structure. Like any bottom-of-the-totem-pole group member, he or she is not interested in opening up their club to a whole group of new blood, so they're more than happy to consign your resume to the bottom of the heap." Read More

Bells and Whistles - It's the usual routine: a young person graduates from college with a four-year degree and goes on a job hunt. When they get hired, the first thing their new employer does is put them through a long training period before they're turned loose on unsuspecting co-workers. Read More