How to Get an Associate Degree Online

An associate's degree is a two-year degree from an accredited university. While many employers insist on their employees having bachelor's degrees, an associate's degree may be all you need in your field, particularly if you are entering a vocation that only requires an associate degree (such as nursing programs or physical therapy). Getting an associate degree online may be less expensive and allow you to work at your own pace.

Instructions

1. Check to make sure your online school is accredited to award an associate's degree online. The easiest way to check is to go to ope.ed.gov/accreditation and search for the school you are thinking about attending.

2. After you confirm the online school is accredited, check to see which industries are the best paid for associcate's degree holders. One of the highest paying jobs that require just an associate's degree. See the resources section at the bottom of this article for a list of 25 high paying jobs that only require an associate's degree.

3. If you only want an online associate's degree as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree, you have much more leeway in your course of action. You can transfer to most four-year universities with an associate's degree in any subject, but check the university you want to transfer to beforehand.

Resources

• 25 Highest-Paying Jobs Requiring Associate's Degree