| An Associate Degree is a type of academic degree | | | | may also receive Associate of Arts degrees. |
| that is awarded by a bachelor's degree-granting | | | | Associate of Science degrees are, like AA degrees, |
| institution, junior colleges and community colleges as | | | | awarded to those seeking to enter the work force or |
| well. Typically, an associate degree is equivalent to the | | | | a four year college or university upon completion of an |
| first two years of a bachelor's degree program. | | | | associate's degree program. |
| Associates degrees are awarded in the United States | | | | Associate of Applied Science degrees are awarded |
| and, more rarely, Canada, though this type of degree is | | | | to students to relax some of the general education |
| also being added to the academic degree systems of | | | | requirements so that when the have completed the |
| other countries. | | | | associate's degree portion of their education, they can |
| Australia added associate degrees to their Australian | | | | focus more on their specific area of study. This type |
| Qualifications Framework in 2004, though very few | | | | of associate's degree is especially intended for those |
| academic programs have begun to use the title. In the | | | | seeking to continue their education at a four year |
| United Kingdom, foundation degrees are the equivalent | | | | college or university. |
| to associate's degrees. As an equivalent to higher | | | | Associate of Business Administration degrees are |
| diplomas, Hong Kong initiated various associate's | | | | often awarded to students for completing academic |
| degree programs. | | | | programs that are terminal or intended for continuing |
| There are four general categories of associate's | | | | education at a four year university or college, typically |
| degrees, Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, | | | | with a business related major. |
| Associate of Applied Science and Associate of | | | | Many people earn associate's bachelor's and master's |
| Business Administration. | | | | degrees while working by attending evening classes. |
| Associate of Arts degrees are generally awarded for | | | | This practice has become so prevalent that t has |
| academic programs that are intended for transfer to a | | | | been estimated that more degrees are earned this |
| four year university or college. Typically students | | | | way than through full-time day studies. Getting an |
| working toward an AA degree will major in social | | | | associate's degree is a wonderful way to get started |
| sciences of humanities, though general studies students | | | | on furthering your education. |