| A college degree can boost anyone's career, as it can | | | | award associates degrees. Most online colleges offer |
| help workers earn higher salaries and climb the | | | | flexible schedules, including the opportunity to take |
| management ladder. However, many people do not | | | | online courses that can be completed on a student's |
| have the time or money to invest in a four-year | | | | own time. What better way to complete your |
| bachelor's degree at a traditional university. They | | | | coursework than from the comfort of your own |
| need a solution that will work for them more quickly, | | | | home and when your schedule permits it? |
| to get them into the workforce as soon as possible, | | | | All these reasons have made the associates degree a |
| and many need the flexibility of an online degree | | | | very popular option. Studies show that almost half of |
| education. | | | | all American college students are enrolled in two year |
| The answer to the four year problem could be an | | | | programs. Enrolling in a two year program is a great |
| associate's degree. Students can earn an associate's | | | | way to start your education and get the ball rolling |
| degree in two years at a community or online college, | | | | on a career as soon as you graduate. |
| and typically pay much less for classes than at a | | | | They are typically studying for two types of |
| liberal arts college or large university. In addition, they | | | | associate's degree - an occupational degree that |
| can choose to study almost any field, including | | | | qualifies them for work in a certain field, or a |
| business, marketing, education, healthcare and | | | | transferable degree they can use to enter a |
| technology. | | | | bachelor's degree program after earning about half of |
| A shortened course of study means most students | | | | their prerequisite credits. In fact, four out of 10 |
| will not be saddled with student loans once they | | | | college-bound high school graduates start their college |
| graduate, and will be ready to return to the job | | | | education by earning an associate's degree. |
| market sooner. This benefits students, lenders, and | | | | Earning an associate's degree is also a terrific tool for |
| employers looking for the most eligible candidates. | | | | retraining, as many adult students may need to |
| Qualified individuals will have a better chance at | | | | upgrade their skills for a second career or to re-enter |
| gaining employment, which will be reflected by their | | | | the workforce. Typical concentrations for an |
| educational experience and the skills gained from it. | | | | associate of arts degree include economics, |
| The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says an online | | | | elementary education, psychology and sociology, |
| associate's degree can increase earning potential, as | | | | while common topics for an associate of science |
| associate's degree holders make about 15 percent | | | | degree are engineering, business administration and |
| more than individuals who only have high school | | | | computer science. Individuals who are working |
| diplomas. In a changing job market and weak | | | | toward an associate of applied science degree often |
| economy, it is now more important than ever before | | | | choose to study graphic design, food service |
| to further you education in order to be more | | | | management, medical assisting or automotive |
| seriously considered for employment. | | | | technology. |
| Convenience is another hallmark of most schools that | | | | |