More and more the importance of obtaining a higher education is becoming known and for this reason many of the students enrolling into either an online degree program or a campus based program are well older than in the foregone. A good place to start is by researching the associate ' s degree in order to arbitrate whether or not it will provide you with the necessary education and skills that you need.
First of all, all associate ' s degrees are meant to prepare the student for eventually earning their bachelor ' s degree. This degree is offered by both colleges and universities including some vocational / training institutions. They are also offered online by many of the top governmental schools of higher learning.
To penetrate what an associate ' s degree is all about and which one you should choose, you should look at the differences between each type. An Associates of Science will require less general education requirements and more career oriented course industry. If your field of interest is to become a nurse, engineer, or a computer science technician, this is the one for you.
Next is the Associates of Arts which is generally used as a transfer degree towards the four year bachelor ' s degree. For students interested in the world of business, this degree will provide a well - rounded education with emphasis on English literature, history, social science, humanities, math and communication.
Finally there is the Associates in Applied Science degree that is designed to provide skills in order to obtain an entry level position right after graduation. Most of these degrees are not meant to be transferred at a later time should the student wish to pursue their bachelor ' s degree. However, there is always an exception to the rule and it is best that you inquire about this possibility before entering any program.
Both online degree programs and campus based programs that are offered by a community college will require an entrance exam before accepting the student. This test is to determine whether or not the future student has the needed basic skills for the work required on a college level. Most exams are divided into four sections; two sections are in math and two are in English. If the student does not score high enough in one particular area and extra prerequisite may be attached to their degree plan to include a remedial course in that area.
If you are choosing to enroll into an online program, the amount of time needed to complete your degree plan can significantly change by choosing an accelerated program. This type of structure allows the student to work at their own pace and with less mandatory online classroom attendance. Also, if you think that some of the skills that you have acquired through your job or other ways might be applied as a credit, you should ask your career counselor if they offer " CLEP " ( Credit for Life Experience Program ) tests. If you can demonstrate knowledge in the selected area, you are then awarded the credits and you do not need to take the class.
