Are you excited to start your career? Does the idea of a four-year degree course just set your mind in distress? Or are you looking to change careers and just need an academic backup?  If yes, then an Associate’s Degree is what you need.

An associate’s degree is a two year, post-secondary degree. Typically, this degree can translate into the first two years of a Bachelor’s degree. Read on for more information about the course, potential career paths, and specialization.

• What is an associate degree?
• What are the requirements for an Associate's Degree?
• What are key skills for an Associate?
• Types of Associate's Degree Programs & Specialization
• Career Options for Associate's Majors

What is an associate degree?

This is a two-year degree that is often pursued after high school. It is not as competitive as a bachelor’s degree and usually costs less. This program is generally offered in most universities, university branches as well as community colleges. The associate’s degree is a go-to for many people seeking to make a career change. 

Students in this degree learn the fundamental basics of the disciplines, which equips them with skills they need to join the workforce.  Typically, an associate’s program aims to provide individuals with the skills required for an entry-level position.

When selecting the type of associate’s program, you want to pursue, you need to consider the job you are interested in and the entry-level requirements for that job. Generally, there are three kinds of associate's programs available in universities, which include Associates of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), and an Associate of Applied Science (AAS). Find the best universities here.

What are the requirements for an Associate's Degree?

Applicants are required to have a high school diploma to be eligible for an associate’s program. However, entry requirements for these programs vary depending on the institution. Additionally, some colleges offer open admissions, which essentially means the entry requirements are more lenient on the students.

Moreover, some colleges and universities may require a recommendation from your high school academics department and possibly a statement of your goals and purpose for studying the associate’s degree. Nonetheless, some associate’s programs such as nursing and engineering require students to have a strong background in technical subjects such as biology, chemistry, and mathematics. 

What are key skills for an Associate?

The skills needed for an associate degree are highly dependent on the degree one decides to pursue. This being true, some skills cut across the board and are necessary for whichever course you choose to enroll. Examples include: 

• Analytical ability 
• Strong communication skills 
• IT skills
• Creative problem solving
• English and literacy skills
• Research and information synthesis
•  Interpreting statistical data
• Numeracy skills
• Attention to detail

Types of Associate's Degree Programs & Specialization

There are many associate degree programs students can choose to enroll in. Since the duration of an associate’s program translates into the first two years of a degree program, students get to gain a general overview and foundation of the degree/ associates program they choose. 

Typically Associate of Applied sciences and Associates of Sciences are more practical and are career-centric whereas, Associates of Arts is more educational centric, meaning they act as a stepping stone to a degree program or further education.

Here are some of the most common types of courses, you are most likely going to cover depending on the type of associate’s degree you choose: 

Associates of Arts

• Performing arts
• Languages
• Literature
• Fine arts
• Music
• Humanities

Associates of Applied Science

• Computer relationship management
• Web design
• Entrepreneurship
• Human services
• Paralegal studies
• Computer sciences
• IT systems
• Finance
• Accounting

Associates of Science

• Physical therapy
• Nursing
• Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
• Medical transcriptionist

Here are some specializations:

Business

• Finance: In this program, students are equipped with essential knowledge for managing money. Additionally, they learn all about investments, lending, borrowing, budgeting, saving, forecasting, among other topics.
• Economics. Here students learn about human behavior to the market forces of demand and supply.
• Real Estate. In this program, students are equipped with knowledge about the correlations between the construction industry and the economy.
• Accounting. In this specialization, students learn the processes of recording financial transactions, including evaluating, summarizing and reporting these transactions.
• Risk Management. In this course, students cover the basics of forecasting and evaluating financial risks to identify procedures to avoid or reduce their impacts.

Health Studies

Health studies are broad and include everything from medicine to general health practice courses. Some health specializations associate’s programs one could take include:

• Associate degree nursing: In this field, students learn how to provide health care services to individuals, families, and communities to ensure patients recover, attain or maintain optimal health.
• Biomedical electronics: In this program, students learn how to test, repair, and maintain medical equipment for suppliers and medical service centers.
• Pharmacy associate’s degree: In this course, students learn the science and techniques of preparing, dispensing, and reviewing medicines. This program aims to ensure the safe, effective and affordable use of medications. 
• Health information management: In this program, students learn how to code data, billing, and maintenance of records. Additionally, students may learn coding skills. 

Engineering

Some of the most enviable engineering associate’s courses include:

Associate degree in electrical engineering. This is one of the most sought after degrees that offers insights into digital electronics, microprocessors, and industrial automation. Under this program, students can specialize in:

• Circuit-analysis: In this specialization, students learn how to create and solve a system of independent equations and perform circuit analysis. 
• Statistical engineering: This field focuses on equipping students with skills to develop and apply mathematical or statistical theory and methods to organize, interpret, collect, and summarize numerical data to provide usable information. Typically, statistical engineers work in biostatistics, business statistics, economic statistics and agricultural statistics. 
• Technical writing: In this course, students learn how to communicate technical information clearly and concisely, without necessarily using technical jargon.
• Mechanical engineering technology: If you are interested in working in manufacturing, testing and designing fields, then this is a good option. This program equips students with insights into physics, mathematics and computer science. Some topics covered in this course include:
  • Computer-aided designs
  • Mechanics of materials
  • Mechanical design
  • Technical drawing

Career Options for Associate's Majors

Associate graduates can opt to pursue further education in terms of degree programs or their dream careers. Whatever the case, there are numerous associate’s jobs and career paths. These graduates can venture into multiple areas, including hospitals, insurance companies, and legal offices. Some of these jobs include:

Engineering jobs

1. Aerospace engineers

These are experts who primarily design aircraft and test design requirements to ensure they meet the set of engineering standards. Additionally, they are responsible for assessing proposals for projects to determine if they are technically and financially feasible.

2. Automotive Engineers

These professionals are responsible for vehicle development, design, manufacture, and testing. In some cases, automotive engineers may also perform sales and marketing duties.

3. Energy Engineers

These professionals are responsible for designing, developing and evaluating energy-related issues or projects to reduce costs as well as improve energy efficiency. Additionally, they make recommendations for green practices as other environmental concerns during the building, construction and remodeling processes of construction.

4. Medical engineers

These are experts concerned with designing biomedical equipment and associated devices involved in healthcare provision. They provide technical support to ensure that machines are in operation.

Finance jobs

5. Accountant

These professionals are responsible for handling simple and complex financial decisions in a business. They are involved in recording data, developing reports and presenting it to the managers.

6. Investment banker

These are experts who analyze and work out the possibilities and potentials of gain for investment. They help their clients invest in the stock markets and get a commission from doing so.

7. Credit analyst

Credit analysts are responsible for analyzing the risk involved in lending corporations to give credit to individuals and institutions. They make recommendations to lending institutions about persons or companies to provide credit and those to deny.

Health jobs

8. Nurses

These are health professionals who are in charge of caring for patients. Some of the duties include administering medicine, treating patients, providing emotional support, offering advice, and taking care of paperwork as well as helping doctors with diagnostic procedures.

9. Pharmacist

These are trained professionals who administer drugs. They counsel patients on the use of prescription medication and over the counter medicines. Additionally, they prepare, review and interpret physician orders, identify therapeutic incompatibilities, dispense medication and so on.

10. Technicians

These professionals are responsible for handling medical equipment and act as support technicians for doctors and other health professionals. They ensure all medical equipment from cylinders to machines are valid for use.

11. Medical assistants

Medical assistants are responsible for verifying patient information, recording medical history, preparing patients for examinations by taking their blood pressure, temperature, and so on.

12. Surgical technologists

These professionals are responsible for providing support during surgery. They set up the operating rooms, help doctors, and arrange equipment.

13. Occupational therapy assistant

Occupational therapy assistants are responsible for devising rehabilitative services under instructions from occupational therapists to people with mental, emotional, or physical development disorders.