Earning an Associate Degree is similar to earning an undergraduate degree but does not require as many semester hours. Associates degrees are usually obtained in preparation to for entry level career positions and in preparation for higher education opportunities. Programs consist of three general areas of focus: general education courses, courses oriented towards your major and elective courses. Generally, an Associate Degree can be completed in as little as 2 years by attending 4 semesters (two 15 semester credit hours per year).
Traditionally community colleges, junior colleges and select technical colleges offer associate degree programs. While associate degree are recognized as requiring a general education base many value an associates degree for the vocational and career specific training they provide. Associates degrees are awarded in both job-specific vocational areas such as business, technology and electronics or in liberal arts.
Online Bachelors Degree Programs
Most accredited bachelors degrees are available only through 4 year universities and colleges. While an associates degree usually requires 60 credit hours to complete (2 years) a bachelor degree requires over 120 credit hours. Most bachelor degree programs will accept up to 60 credits from a reputable associate degree program that can be applied toward your bachelor degree. The bachelor degree program is broken down into the areas: general education, elective courses and major courses.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA) - This degree is a 4 year degree (120 to 128 credit hours). A large portion of the cirriculum for the BA degree includes coursework in liberal arts, humanities, social sciences, music or fine arts. Bachelor of Art Degrees are widely accepted by many employers and are ideal preparation for a masters degree.
- Bachelor of Science (BSc or BS) - The Bacher of Science Degree is a 4 year degree (120 to 128 credit hours). A majority of the coursework for this degree is in the sciences focusing on physical and life sciences. The Bachelor of Science degree is widely accepted by many employers as a career preparation degree and is an ideal foundation for pursuing a related masters degree or advanced professional degree such as dentistry, medicine, etc.
spacer spacer.gif Earning Your Masters Degree Online If you want to qualify yourself for new career opportunities or position yourself for advancement opportunities in your current career then earning your masters degree might possibly be the best decision you ever make. Why? Employers recognize and studies show that professionals with a masters degree on average perform better, on the job, than their counter parts. Additionally, a masters degree indicates a strong level of commitment and expertise in a specific industry, the level of commitment and expertise that employers desire.
Online Doctoral and Doctorate Programs
Our online doctoral programs and online doctorate programs will prepare you for new career advancement opportunities and position you as an expert in your field. To find out more about which of our online doctoral programs and online doctorate programs might be right for you review our schools below or click on the "Search Our Database" button at the bottom of this page to review a complete list of online doctoral and online doctorate programs.
At University of Phoenix, you can earn your degree via the Internet--at the times and places right for you. As the nation's largest, private, accredited university, University of Phoenix is known for our academic quality and outstanding student service. Afterall, our goal is your success. You'll be earning your degree from an honored education provider in areas from Business, Management or Information Technology, to Criminal Justice, Education and Nursing. And better yet, most students can finish their degree in just two to three years! University of Phoenix online doctorate programs and online doctoral programs include:
- Doctor of Business Administration
- Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership
- Doctor of Health Administration
- Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership