An associate's degree is a degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges and some bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities in Canada and the United States upon completion of a course of study equivalent to the first two years in a four-year college or university. It is the lowest in the hierarchy of academic degrees offered in these countries. Common abbreviations are AA (Associate of Arts), AS (Associate of Science) and AAS (Associate of Applied Science).

Generalized categories or types of Associate's Degrees

It is possible to break the Associate's Degree into three general categories.

An Associate of Arts degree is often awarded for programs that are terminal or intended for transfer to a four year college, usually with a major in the social sciences or humanities. It is also awarded to General Studies students, those who decline to select an area of concentration.

The Associate of Science degree is similarly awarded to terminal students or to potential transferees to a four years college, but the areas of concentration are usually in mathematics, natural sciences, or technology.

The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded to students who are permitted to relax some of the general education requirements in order to study more course work in their program area. Typically, this kind of degree is for students who intend to enter the work force upon graduation.

Featured Programs

Associate of Science Degree in Computer Information Management Degree

The Ashworth College Associate of Science Degree Program in Computer Information Management offers a comprehensive, nationally accredited distance learning curriculum. It begins with courses in business principles, business communications, psychology, and the Windows operating system. These subjects are designed to give you a solid foundation on which to develop your career in computer information...

Associate of Arts in General Studies Degree

The General Studies program lays the foundation for future career advancement and takes you one step closer to earning a bachelors degree. You will also gain a better understanding of the changes taking place in todays complex and competitive work environment. You will explore the fields of psychology, sociology, philosophy, history, and mathematics. Your classes will also help you strengthen your...

Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree

The objective of the Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree program is to prepare students for career advancement in a variety of fields with the knowledge, communication skills, critical thinking, and technical competencies required in the modern workplace. The Associate of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies provides a degree completion program and accommodates both the...

Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice / Private Security Degree

If you want to work in the criminal justice field, this online degree will prepare you to find the job you want. Our Web based program provides a solid foundation in the areas of law enforcement, courts, corrections, and security. It also provides a liberal arts knowledge base and the technical skills required in specialized employment areas.

This associate's degree in criminal justice offers...

AA in Liberal Arts Degree

The Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Degree provides you with a broad introduction to the liberal arts with a selection of courses from the natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, the arts, religion and philosophy. It will provide you with the basic foundational and intellectual skills needed to complete a bachelor's degree in the future.