Online Associates Degrees and 2 Year Programs

Thinking about pursuing an online associate degree? Enrolling in an online 2-year program can be the fastest and most convenient way to further your education and meet career goals. Those enrolled in online associate and 2-year programs account for over half of all online students. Whether you are looking for an Associate in Arts, an Associate in Science, Associate in Applied Science, you may want to look no farther than your monitor!

Why Online?

Online associates degrees and 2-year programs provide first and foremost, a quality education, comparable or exceeding in rigorousness to traditional on-campus programs. There is a multitude of liberal arts, technical, and specialized courses available with the same financial aid opportunities as on-campus programs. Additionally, online courses are accessible and convenient. It gives you the ability to take advantage of courses or programs not offered in your area and you can study from the comfort of your home or laptop, when and where you want. An online associates degree can be your vehicle forgetting where you want to go professionally by providing a route to certification or licensure in many areas.

The financial perks of completing an online associate’s or 2-year program are quite significant over time. Consider that associate degree holders make an average of $8,000 more per year than high school graduates. The median income for a person with a 2-year degree is $36,000 (Women $33,400 in 2004, Men 41,900 in 2004).To add to that, expected lifetime earnings for a person with an A.A., A.S. or A.A.S. degree are over $1,500,000. You may be 2 years or less from a new set of job opportunities and higher pay in a field you want.

2 Year Online Degree Programs

Because of the variety and usefulness of 2-year online programs, many are using them to advance their careers, develop specialized skills, or prepare themselves for transfer to a 4-year baccalaureate program. Two year colleges usually take 4 semesters of about 15 credit hours each (considered full time) and require completion of 60 credit hours (or the equivalent). Many programs can be accelerated so that they take 18 months or less to finish. If you have acceptable transfer credits, that may shorten the duration of your program also.

Two year college programs generally have 3 components. First, there are general education/liberal arts and sciences courses. If you are concentrating on a specific program you will have specialized courses in line with the major you intend to take. In addition, you have a few elective classes, which you can choose to compliment the rest of your program or take courses in other subjects that may interest you.

If your plans include the possibility of transferring to a 4-year college after completing your online associate’s degree, you will need to check with the 4-year colleges you’re interested to see which courses will be accepted for transfer. Many 4-year colleges will only accept the general education/liberal arts courses as equivalent; others are more liberal, especially with online business and liberal arts programs.

Associate degrees are usually given by technical, community or junior colleges. Some 2-year colleges are housed within a larger college or university that offers more advanced degrees. You can carry a part-time load, if that suits your purposes and lifestyle, but usually financial aid is only extended to full-time students.

On the other hand, if you want to accelerate your studies and finish early, speak with an advisor at the school to make sure you are following the required sequence of courses.

Associate of Arts (A.A.): The Associate of Arts degree is granted for completion of (primarily) general education or liberal arts courses. This type of online degree is useful for students who plan on transferring to a 4-year college after receiving their A.A. degree, or want a broad, non-specialized knowledge base.

Associate of Science (A.S.): The Associate of Science degree also has a core of liberal arts and sciences courses that must be completed, but unlike the A.A. degree, also has a core of early division prerequisite courses in specialized fields such as engineering, science, math, and agriculture, that require certain courses before continuing with the desired program at the 4-year baccalaureate level.

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.): The Associate in Applied Science degrees are not intended for transfer to 4-year colleges, but geared toward preparing the student for a specific occupation upon graduation. These programs offer a wide variety of specialized programs that allow you to join the workforce in the field you have chosen. If you later plan to attend a 4-year school, they likely will transfer only the liberal arts/general education credits earned.

The variety of specialized programs and career tracks available online is incredible. Whatever your field of interest there is something for you.

What’s next?

If you are serious about expanding your choices and making more money, the quickest route is with an associate or 2-year degree. who is well settled in a career, but thinking about a change. Spend some time on the net. Make sure the online degree programs you are interested in are being offered by accredited online colleges or universities and truly offer what you want. If you need help, ask! Admissions offices can help you know if their school is a good choice for your particular goals. Financial aid offices will fill you in on payment options. If you still need help, contact us.

Best of luck with your search!

By Laurie Jerome-Pertilla

http://www.mycollegesolution.com – request free information from accredited online colleges, universities and cmapus based schools nationwide. Thousands of online degree programs available.