Articles > Online College > What can you do with an associate degree?
What can you do with an associate degree?Â
Written by Michael Feder
Reviewed by Marc Booker, PhD,  Vice Provost, Strategy
For some, thinking about education can feel intimidating. Graduates may have concerns about whether a four-year degree is affordable or right for their needs. For anyone undecided about the future or looking for ways to save money on their education, an associate degree can be a good option.
What's possible with an associate degree?Â
Where can graduates go with an associate degree? this two-year degree is the first level of college degree programs intended to help students earn credits that can be transferred into a bachelor’s degree or provide a level of education and skills that help prepare students to enter the workforce. Simply put, an associate degree can be a steppingstone for a bachelor’s degree or a career path. It can also help individuals begin their educational journey as they decide where their careers may go.
An associate degree is one of several types of degrees available and may be the right choice for budget- or time-conscious people. It’s an entry-level undergraduate degree that students may typically earn at a community college, a university that serves working adults or even some trade schools. It represents a higher level of academic achievement than earning a high school diploma or passing the GED® test, but lower than a bachelor’s degree.
An associate degree can provide many of the foundational skills essential to a variety of career paths. It is possible to earn an associate's online in as little as two years, and what graduates can do with it may come as a surprise as far as continuing education opportunities and career options.
How can an associate degree pave the way for a bachelor's degree?Â
While many students pursue associate degrees for their own sake, others see them as a step toward a more advanced degree. How can this shorter degree program prepare students for a bachelor’s degree? Here are a few ways:
It builds a strong foundation
It takes time to develop the skills necessary to succeed in a degree program, especially for adults who have been out of school for years.
An associate degree at an online university or community college can provide a strong base for students to build foundational learning skills and common skills employers seek, such as communication, critical thinking and collaboration. Such skills can be crucial for successfully completing a bachelor’s degree program down the line.
In addition, students can gain the foundational learning of their chosen field of study to understand and articulate the principal features of that career path. This learning is aligned to degree rigor and helps prepare students for entry-level jobs. That means they’ll feel more familiar with the subject matter of their bachelor’s degree program when they’re ready to start.
It allows students to gain workforce experience
An associate degree can prepare students with fundamental skills necessary to join the workforce. Though often at entry level, this work can form a strong foundation for more advanced study in a specific field. What’s more, that work experience may not be attainable without an associate degree.
With that experience in tow, students can pursue a bachelor’s degree program with a practical understanding of how their college study connects to the real world. This can help put their learning in context and get them thinking about how they’ll use their degree after graduation. Â
It provides transfer credits
One big way an associate degree can pave the way for a bachelor’s is through a credit transfer. While the exact policy varies from college to college, many institutions accept general education credits earned through an associate's program. This allows students to apply those credits toward the credit requirement of a bachelor’s degree program.
Some students desire to pursue a bachelor’s degree program that’s outside their budget. Completing general education and introductory credits in an associate degree program at a community college and transferring them to a university can save both time and money on their bachelor’s degree program. Â
Let’s say a student who earned an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice at an online university or community college chooses to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a different subject, say business. Depending on the school they apply to, they may be able to transfer over many of the general education credits they earned in their associate degree program.
At the same time, many of the criminal justice-specific credits earned in the associate degree program may not apply to the business requirements for a bachelor’s degree in an entirely different subject. It all comes down to the specific credit transfer policy laid out by the school
What are options after earning an associate degree?
With its focus on foundational skills, and its flexibility in being applied toward a bachelor’s degree, an associate degree can be a valuable and convenient first step in a student’s postsecondary educational career.
Candidates with an associate degree can be positioned to apply for jobs or can continue on in their education to get a bachelor’s degree. Options will vary based on goals, location, the type of job and desired salary.
Careers with an associate degreeÂ
Online associate degrees offer graduates many career pathways. Depending on what type of program a school offers, it’s possible to concentrate in an area that would help someone prepare for opportunities in areas including IT, cybersecurity, criminal justice and business fields.
Careers with an associate degree in business
Associate degrees in business may offer foundational content associated with the skills used in areas like accounting, communication and management. They can help prepare students to solve real-world problems within an organization and potentially assist in pursuing careers in administrative roles, including administrative and office managers.
Administrative and office managers often oversee staff or office support services at organizations of all sizes. They usually handle the support and clerical work within these companies. In some cases, they’ll supervise staff and recommend changes to policies that can improve operations. They’ll also order supplies and handle recordkeeping duties.
Careers with an associate degree in information technologyÂ
Associate degrees in the field of information technology can help students learn foundational knowledge in areas like network operations and information security strategies. Two potential job areas for someone holding this credential include computer systems analyst and IT analyst.
typically work with managers to determine the role of IT systems within an organization. They might design new systems and configure hardware and software to help teams do their jobs more effectively. They also explore the costs and benefits of new IT systems and help managers upgrade.
IT analysts may share many of the same responsibilities as systems analysts, but they can have a broader range of IT duties that includes information security or network administration. They also oversee the maintenance of these systems.
Careers with an associate degree in cybersecurity
For IT enthusiasts who want to focus exclusively on information security, any of the various associate degrees in cybersecurity might be an excellent fit. These degree programs may include content that can be used to prepare students to learn problem-solving skills that protect computer infrastructure assets in the digital domain. Potential roles for cybersecurity graduates include work as information security analysts and specialists.
usually work for computer companies, businesses or consulting firms. Their primary responsibilities include planning and carrying out the security measures that keep organizations’ computer networks or systems free of harm. They often monitor networks for breaches and investigate when they happen. Security analysts also research the latest advances in IT security and make appropriate upgrades when necessary.
Careers with an associate degree in criminal justice
A 2-year criminal justice degree might include content that can help graduates prepare for careers in corrections, detentions or security and teaches how the criminal justice and corrections systems operate.
Criminal justice careers are varied. Many professionals end up working as . In some cases, graduates seek out roles as who protect physical property or people from illegal activity.Â
Learn more about what you can do with an associate degree
If you’re wondering what you can do with an associate degree, °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ offers seeveral online programs, including an associate business degree, an associate degree in cybersecurity, an online information technology associate degree, and an associate of arts in criminal justice.
Contact °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ for more information.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Dr. Marc Booker, °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝ Vice Provost for Strategy, has more than two decades of experience working with online and distance education students at the post-secondary level. He currently oversees critical path academic initiatives to improve the student experience. Dr. Booker is a regular speaker, author and contributor to national higher education associations.
This article has been vetted by °®ÎŰ´«Ă˝'s editorial advisory committee.Â
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