An online associate degree is an online undergraduate
degree which is generally a 2-year degrees. You can now acquire an associate
degree by sitting at home and opting for one online. You can study whenever
and wherever you want. A bachelor’s degree can be acquired after
an associate degree is obtained.
It requires a minimum of 60 semester credit hours and
it is usually divided into three sections which are the general education
requirements, major requirements, and electives. You can acquire an online
associate degree at your own pace whereas if you were doing it through
the regular program it would take full-time study equivalent to 4 semesters
or 2 years (15 semester credit hours).
Online associate degrees are more or less similar to an on-campus or
in-classroom associate degrees, however the degree can be taken entirely
through the Internet or by distance education.
Usually an associate degree is offered by a community or junior and technical
colleges and it involves a broad base in general education and a specialization
in a specific area. It could be ranging from a job-oriented vocational
course like electronics to liberal arts such as science or arts. Those
who acquire such degrees can be employed in mid-level technology-oriented
jobs.
There are different types of associate degree programs like AA or Associate
of Arts, AAS or Associate of Applied Science which will prepare you for
career entry or job advancement; AS or Associate of Science or Occupational
degrees which are predominantly applied degree programs.
Some of the common online associate degrees are Accounting, Arts &
Humanities, Business & Management, Criminal Justice, Design, Early
Childhood Development, Education, Engineering Fire Science to name a few.