How many credits is an associate degree? You have probably heard of a couple of things in regard to associate’s degrees. You may have heard that earning one takes a shorter time as well as money in contrast to a four-year degree. But the main question is, how many credits does one need to get an associate’s degree?
How Many Credits Is an Associate Degree
In this post, we will go over the college credits as well as the time needed to earn an associate’s degree. We also will provide answers to some other basic questions about the types of associate degrees that you can earn, the duration it takes, and the benefits of earning one. Let’s kick things off by answering our main question.
We will begin this post by answering the most basic question that many people ask: How many credits does a person need to earn an associate’s degree? A typical associate’s degree as you should know requires students to complete 60 credit hours. And while 60 credit hours may seem to be quite a lot, your course load however will roughly come out to 20 three-credit hour courses.
The good news here is, those credits in question do not have to be completed within two years. And if it is that you want to pursue a college degree, but also have to work full or even part-time, then you can take these classes at a much slower pace.
And while 60 credits is average, this number may get to change slightly depending on the college that you opt to attend and the field of study you get to earn your degree in. You should always double-check with the school that you plan to attend about what the exact requirements are.
How Long Does It Take To Earn an Associate Degree
For most people, the appeal of an associate’s degree is just how quickly you can get to earn one. Usually, it will take just two to three years. However, as we have mentioned before, not everyone has the much-needed luxury of being able to pursue their education full-time. And if it is that you have to work full time, then taking one to two classes a semester may just be the most that you can do at a time. If that is the case with you, that is entirely alright and it should not be something that discourages you from ever trying to pursue an associate’s degree.
What Can You Get an Associate’s Degree In
Associate degrees as you should know come in a wide array of subjects. The three most common associate degrees recorded are an Associate of Arts, an Associate of Science, and an Associate of Applied Science. And below are the basic outlines for what each of those tracks focuses on.
Associates of Arts (AA)
- Humanities
- Sociology
- English
- Communications
Associates of Science (AS)
- Biology
- Physics
- Science and technical coursework
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- Occupational coursework focus
- Healthcare
- Engineering
- Construction
That’s it!
How Much Does an Associate’s Degree Cost
That depends on the situation. First of all, students who get to attend community college (where the majority of associate degrees are rightly earned) are eligible or qualify for financial aid (and you should not forget to fill out that FAFSA!). College tuition on the other hand varies from state to state, so where you get to attend college factors in. The nationwide average to earn an associate’s degree is reportedly $3,900 for a public college, which is pretty quite impressive!
Is An Associate’s Degree Worth the Hype?
Yes, but it actually depends on the reason for pursuing an associate’s degree in the first place as there are plenty of positives. For many students, an associate’s degree is the ticket in the door in regard to their careers. This is most especially true of STEM and medical fields (think nursing and web development-type careers too). If a four-year degree is the goal on your end, then an associate’s degree can be a low-cost stepping stone.
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