TWO-YEAR DEGREES FOR NEARLY EVERY INTEREST
Two-year degrees are designed to provide students with the foundational knowledge and skills they need in order to either continue their educations at four-year colleges or to enter the workforce right away, prepared to succeed in their chosen fields of study.
While there is a perception in some circles that two-year degrees are only for technical occupations, the reality is that there are associate degree programs that can accommodate a wide array of interests and prepare students for exciting careers in nearly every industry. Two-year degrees can be broken down into the following basic categories:
- AS (Associate of Science). An Associate of Science degree focuses heavily on math and science disciplines. This type of degree often includes majors such as criminal justice, aerospace, paralegal studies, electrical engineering, physics, chemistry, computer science, and related fields, although you can also earn a business degree in two years by completing a business administration AS degree. AS degrees typically include broad, foundational instruction. They are popular choices for students who want to pursue bachelor’s degrees after earning their associate degrees.
- AA (Associate of Arts). If you wanted to earn a two-year degree in social work, you would probably want to pursue an Associate of Arts degree program. AA degrees generally trend toward social sciences, philosophy, speech communication, and other liberal arts fields. As is the case with AS degrees, earning an AA degree can be a great stepping stone toward a four-year degree.
- AAA (Associate of Applied Arts). Where an AA degree provides general, foundational education in the humanities, an Associate of Applied Arts generally provides specialized skills and vocational training in areas such as music, fine arts, marketing/advertising graphic design, photography, and similar fields. Students who graduate with AAA degrees could choose to continue their educations, but they should already be equipped with the tools they need to jump into a career in the arts.
- AAS (Associate of Applied Science). Just as an AAA degree is designed to teach students specialized skills related to the arts, an Associate of Applied Science degree offers two-year students more hands-on training in a science-related field. For example, if you wanted to earn a two-year electrical degree or a two-year pharmacy degree, you would likely pursue an AAA program. You can also find AAS programs in court reporting, dental hygiene, web development, bookkeeping, sonography, and other fields of study. Upon earning an AAS degree, two-year program graduates are ready to apply what they learned in a practical setting, making a difference in their communities.
EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS FOR A TWO-YEAR DEGREE
If you decide you want to pursue an associate degree, it is important to do your homework. Evaluate potential colleges and degree programs carefully to find the best fit for your circumstances and goals. Generations College in Chicago offers a variety of accredited two-year degree programs, including traditional on-campus degrees as well as accredited online associate degree programs you can complete from the comfort of your home, on your schedule.
Contact us today to learn more!