How Many Credits Are Earned With an Associate's Degree?
An associate's degree is a college-level degree equivalent to approximately 2 years of study. The associate's degree can be earned at most junior, community and online colleges as well as some 4-year universities.
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Associate's Degree Requirements
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To earn an associate's degree, a student must fulfill 60 credit hours, or approximately 20 courses at most institutions. Depending on the institution and the type of degree, these credits will need to be earned in various fields of study. Associate's degrees usually take approximately 2 years to complete and can be earned either as occupational degrees or transfer degrees.
Types of Occupational Degree
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An occupational associate's degree will enable you to work in a specific field when you graduate. Most commonly these degrees are Associate of Applied Science, Associate of Applied Arts, Associate of Applied Technology or Associate of Occupational Studies.
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Occupational Degree Requirements
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To earn an occupational associate's degree, you will be expected to fulfill hands-on courses that apply to your major field of study, but also some general education courses in disciplines such as mathematics, writing and communications. The general education requirements as well as the specific courses for your major of study will depend on the institution at which you are earning your degree, however it should be equivalent to 20 courses or 60 credit hours.
Types of Transfer Degrees
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Transfer associate's degrees are useful if you wish to transfer eventually to a 4-year university for a bachelor's degree. Some of the most common of these degree types are Associate of the Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Engineering and Associate of Nursing.
Transfer Degree Requirements
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For a transfer degree, you will most likely have to earn the same number of credits as an occupational degree (20 courses or 60 credit hours, depending on the institution and field of study), but through different means. For a transfer degree you will also need to pick a major or focus as well as fulfill certain general education requirements in fields such as mathematics, science, writing and literature that can be transferred easily to the requirements of a 4-year university bachelor's degree.
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