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Just because you've made the decision to go to College doesn't mean you have to make a four-year commitment. In fact, for many students, especially those who may be unsure of their future Career path, or who are already in the workforce, working toward  

Associate Degrees

  is far more attractive option. That's because you're still moving forward educationally, but doing so for less financially, plus you have the option to continue on for a bachelor's degree if you choose.

As statistics have shown, the more education you attain, the higher your income potential will be. According to Census Bureau data, the average income earnings over a lifetime for those with an associate degree is over $115,000 more than those who have only earned a high school diploma.

Associate degrees are usually earned in the areas of arts and sciences, Business, and health care. Jobs in which the majority of the workforce have associate degrees include administrative assistants, computer technicians, medical assistants, nurses, law enforcement agents, and teacher's aids.

Most associate degrees are earned at two-year colleges, where nearly half of this country's students begin their college careers. Two-year colleges are usually very diverse institutions where both young and adult learners attend classes. Often, they are less expensive than four-year schools. However, this does not mean that the education is less valuable. Rather, less Money is needed by the institution because research is usually not conducted at such schools.

Because of the nature of the institutions offering associate degrees, classes are usually taught by professors rather than by graduate assistants - something you are likely to encounter at a four-year school. Class sizes are typically smaller at two-year colleges than at four-year universities and a greater selection of night and weekend courses are offered because of the large amount of students who work full-time or part-time jobs.

Many Colleges and Universities offer both associate degrees and bachelor degree programs. In most cases, 60 credits will earn you an associate degree, as long as they are the 60 credits that satisfy the school's requirements. Associate degrees can usually be earned within two years, if you take 15 credits per semester, or take extra classes during shorter summer and winter sessions.

And, of course, with an associate degree, you can always return to school at a later time and be halfway towards a bachelor's degree.





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Dawn Papandrea is the Managing Editor of The CollegeBound Network. Learn more about finding a school that's right for you.

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