These figures vary more among online students, who typically take fewer classes and arrive with some college credits already earned, whether through previous enrollment at a higher education institution, military service, or certification exams such as the College-Level Examination Program.
“What we aim to do is maximize the amount of credit that we can apply for a specific program – so kind of acknowledge the experiences that they’ve already acquired so that they can also shorten that road to a degree,” Ray explains.
According to experts, online associate degree students may speed their time to graduation if desired, which might be an excellent alternative for those seeking rapid job advancement.
“We increase the credit hours per semester, add summer sessions, and do some in-semester stacking – so (students) can take one class in the first seven weeks and another in the second seven weeks and get more done that way,” Ray says.
She adds that students can also discover ways to extend an online program if they do not believe they will complete the curriculum in two years, for example, because they are balancing school and full-time work.
What Is the Process of Earning an Associate Degree Online?
Most, if not all, coursework at online universities is conducted remotely, while some may include face-to-face requirements. While many classes are asynchronous, meaning students complete most of their schoolwork at their own speed under regular deadlines, some feature synchronous components that students attend through video conferencing at a set time.
Adults who work full-time or part-time may find online degrees appealing since they have the flexibility to study on their schedules.
According to experts, certified online programs at respectable universities are often just as rigorous as on-campus options. The format is the key distinction, with students doing individual and group work remotely. Classes and programs can be delivered entirely online or in a hybrid manner, which means they can be delivered partially online and partially on campus.
According to experts, online associate degrees in numerous fields have grown more widely available in recent years at both community colleges – typically classified as two-year schools – and universities that provide bachelors and graduate degrees.
“That is the truth of modern existence. People require degrees at various periods of their lives, and this is one method to obtain one. “According to Antone Aboud, director of online programs and professor of practice in labor and employment relations at Penn State—World Campus, which offers an online associate degree in the field.