According to experts, an associate of applied science would often focus on training students for certain occupations rather than moving them into a bachelor’s program.
“Typically, an associate of science expects students to finish all of the general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree – the first two years,” says Betty Vandenbosch, former chancellor of Purdue University Global, which offers online associate degree programs. According to her, that isn’t usually the case for an associate of applied science.
Associate of business and associate of general studies are two other options.
What Is the Distinction Between an Online Associate’s Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree?
Experts advise prospective students not to believe that an associate degree program will be easier than the first half of a bachelor’s degree program.
Aside from the cost and time, and credits required to complete a degree, another distinction between an associate and a bachelor’s degree at the American Public University System is that online associate degrees typically focus on 100- and 200-level courses, whereas bachelor’s degrees also include 300- and 400-level courses, according to Simpson.
“There is no difference in rigor between the two,” Aboud replied in an email.
What Can I Do With an Associate’s Degree Online?
“If you want to start a major, work toward a major, you might want to consider enrolling in an associate degree program first – at least getting that two-year certification – and then continuing forward if you want with a bachelor’s degree, maybe later on with a master’s degree,” Aboud adds.
Some four-year institutions have articulation agreements with community colleges, which allows students to transfer credits, according to Ballard quickly. Mesa Community College, for example, has affiliations with universities such as Arizona State University.
Following graduation, some online associate degree graduates seek certificates and industry certifications, either at the same institution or elsewhere, according to Simpson. Certificates, which can be obtained online or in person, frequently focus on a particular topic area within a discipline or provide foundational knowledge in a profession.
“They’re speedy and well-known in professional communities,” Simpson says. “That is certainly a path that our associate students may consider, either after or during their associate degree.”