Are you interested in getting a college degree, but you don’t have four years to spare to earn a bachelor’s degree? If so, you might want to consider pursuing an online associate degree. In order to obtain an associate degree, you generally need to complete 60 credit hours of coursework, which takes two years to complete when going full time. Even better, if you decide later that you want to earn a bachelor degree, your online associate degree will be a great stepping-stone toward achieving this goal. In fact, you generally need to complete only about another 60 credit hours to earn your bachelor degree after earning an online associate degree.

Traditionally, associate degrees have been primarily awarded through technical colleges, junior colleges and community colleges. Thanks to the growth of online schools, however, learners now have the option to enjoy the flexibility of learning from home. As such, online schools are quickly becoming the preferred method for obtaining an associate degree. In fact, more than half of the degrees earned online are associate degrees.

When exploring your online degree options, it is important to keep in mind that there are several different types of associate degrees that you can pursue. These include:

· Associate of Arts (A.A.) Degree – designed for those who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university
· Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree – designed for those who plan to join the workforce after completing their degree, though this type of associate degree may transfer in part or in whole to a four year college
· Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree – designed for those who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university
· Occupational Degree – also known as an “applied” degree, this degree is designed to prepare the student for the workforce upon graduation, though some courses and programs may also transfer to a four year college

Since there are so many different types of associate degrees available to pursue, it is important to consider your long-term educational and occupational goals so you can be certain to obtain the online associate degree that is right for you.