Prerequisites for general education “may be less when it comes to career and technical programs that are geared to provide you real skills for the workforce,” Ray adds, citing associate degrees in technical studies, nursing, and administration of justice as examples. “So, while you might have English, you might not have humanities or music taste.”
Where Can I Get an Associate’s Degree Online?
Prospective students should consider whether they want to pursue an online associate degree from a community college or a four-year university, as each has advantages.
If a student lives close to a community college, for example, they can take advantage of on-campus services and meet teachers in person. Community colleges, which often have cheaper tuition rates than more prominent four-year universities, may be appealing to prospective students trying to save money. Smaller class sizes at community institutions, according to Ballard, may result in more individualized attention for each student.
According to Aboud, one advantage of a typical four-year university is that if students complete an online associate degree program, they may be able to transfer to the bachelor’s degree program without having to reapply. According to experts, the reputation of a well-known four-year university may also carry more weight with employers.
The following online bachelor’s degree programs, which are ranked in the top 20 by U.S. News as the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, also offer at least one form of online associate degree:
Ohio State University—Columbus was ranked first for online bachelor’s programs.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—Worldwide is ranked second in the U.S. for online bachelor’s programs.
Pennsylvania State University—World Campus was ranked eighth (tie) for online bachelor’s programs.
Concordia University Wisconsin & Ann Arbor was ranked 16th (tie) in the U.S. for online bachelor’s programs.
Western Kentucky University was ranked No. 20 (tie) for online bachelor’s degree programs.
What Kinds of Online Associate Degrees Are There?
Prospective students may come across many degree paths.
“An associate in science will concentrate on the behavioral sciences rather than the physical sciences,” Aboud explains. “An arts associate is more likely to concentrate on the humanities.”