What can you do with an associate degree?  

For some, thinking about education can feel intimidating. You may have concerns about what you can do with an associate degree, or whether a four-year degree is affordable or right for your needs. If you’re undecided about the future or looking for ways to save money on your education, you have options.

An associate degree is one of several types of degrees available and may be the right choice for budget- or time-conscious people. It’s an entry-level undergraduate degree that you may typically earn at a community college, a university that serves working adults or even some trade schools.

An associate degree represents a higher level of academic achievement than earning a high school diploma or passing the GED^® test, but lower than a bachelor’s degree.

An associate degree can provide many of the foundational skills essential to a variety of career paths. It is possible to earn an associate degree online in as little as two years, and what you can do with it may surprise you. Read on to learn more about the benefits, continuing education opportunities and career options of an associate degree.

An associate degree is the first level of college degree programs intended to help students earn credits that can be transferred into a bachelor’s degree or provide a level of education and skills that help prepare students to enter the workforce. Simply put, an associate degree can be a steppingstone for a bachelor’s degree or a career path. It can also help individuals begin their educational journey as they decide where their careers may go.

Consequently, pursuing this option can be a good entry point for first-time college students. These degrees can typically be earned faster and at a lower cost than a bachelor’s degree.

Here are some of the top reasons to consider an associate degree:

• Affordability: An associate degree costs less to earn than a bachelor's degree because it requires fewer credits for completion. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual cost of an associate degree for the 2022–23 school year was about $12,300, compared with roughly $30,884 for a bachelor’s degree. Costs will vary depending on the school, in-state or out-of-state tuition, room and board, and other factors.

• Flexibility: An associate degree can be earned online or in a traditional classroom. How long it takes to complete an associate degree largely depends on a student’s schedule. It typically takes 60 credits, which can take up to two years. This can prepare students with particular skills that may help them enter the workforce more quickly than if they pursue a bachelor’s degree.
• Transferability: One benefit of an associate degree is the ability to earn credits that can apply toward a bachelor’s degree while earning a separate credential. In this context, the 60 credits earned through an associate degree program can act as the first two years’ worth of credits of a bachelor’s program if you already know what school you want to complete your bachelor’s degree at and have verified how both programs fit together. If you seek to further your studies later, you can potentially transfer those credits (if they qualify), helping save time and money on a bachelor’s degree.

Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether credits earned at University of Phoenix will be accepted by another institution of the student’s choice.

There are options for even more savings for students who have completed their associate degree. University of Phoenix offers a 3+1 transfer pathway for select programs that allows students at participating community colleges to transfer in up to 87 prior eligible credits for many of our programs, and you could be 70% of the way to a bachelor’s degree. This means students could earn both an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree in four years and complete most courses at the community college rate.

Consider personal investment: An associate degree not only provides the skills for a variety of career options, but it also can demonstrate to employers that a candidate could be a reliable employee. By earning an associate degree, graduates have a credential that indicates they are dedicated to their education and learning skills relevant to their work.

Online associate degrees offer graduates many career pathways. Depending on what type of program a school offers, it’s possible to concentrate in an area that would help someone prepare for opportunities in IT, criminal justice or business fields. Consider how the following University of Phoenix associate degree programs can help you pursue your career goals.

An Associate of Arts with a concentration in Business Fundamentals offers the foundational content associated with the skills of accounting, communication and management. It can help prepare you to solve real-world problems within an organization and potentially assist in pursuing careers in administrative roles, including administrative and office managers.

Administrative and office managers often oversee staff or office support services at organizations of all sizes. They usually handle the support and clerical work within these companies. In some cases, they’ll supervise staff and recommend changes to policies that can improve operations. They’ll also order supplies and handle recordkeeping duties.

An Associate of Arts with a concentration in Information Technology can help you learn foundation knowledge in information technology (IT) that assists in preparing you to analyze and design network operations while overseeing information security strategies. Two potential job areas for someone holding this credential include computer systems analyst and IT analyst.

Computer systems analysts typically work with managers to determine the role of IT systems within an organization. They might design new systems and configure hardware and software to help teams do their jobs more effectively. They also explore the costs and benefits of new IT systems and help managers upgrade.

IT analysts may share many of the same responsibilities as systems analysts, but they can have a broader range of IT duties that includes information security or network administration. They also oversee the maintenance of these systems.

For IT enthusiasts who want to focus exclusively on information security, an Associate of Science in Cybersecurity might be an excellent fit. This degree program has content that can be used to prepare students to learn problem-solving skills that protect computer infrastructure assets in the digital domain. The cybersecurity degree at University of Phoenix was developed in conjunction with the International Council of E-Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). Potential roles for cybersecurity graduates include work as information security analysts and specialists.

Information security analysts usually work for computer companies, businesses or consulting firms. Their primary responsibilities include planning and carrying out the security measures that keep organizations’ computer networks or systems free of harm. They often monitor networks for breaches and investigate when they happen. Security analysts also research the latest advances in IT security and make appropriate upgrades when necessary.

An Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice provides content that can help graduates prepare for careers in corrections, detentions or security and teaches how the criminal justice and corrections systems operate.

Criminal justice careers are varied. Many professionals end up working as corrections officers in detention or jail settings. In some cases, graduates seek out roles as security officers who protect physical property or people from illegal activity. 

Many people consider a bachelor’s degree as the primary gateway to educational opportunity. When you’re wondering what you can do with an associate degree, the good news is it offers career flexibility and can be a great introduction to higher education. Because credits earned for an associate degree usually can be transferred, it can also be a cost-effective means to begin your education.

Learn more about online associate degree programs at UOPX. Depending on your interest and goals, you may consider the following:

• Associate of Arts with a concentration in Business Fundamentals
• Associate of Science in Cybersecurity
• Associate of Arts with a concentration in Information Technology
• Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice

If you have questions about the associate degree programs available through University of Phoenix, request more information about any of our degrees today.

A: Many schools allow you to apply your associate degree credits toward a bachelor’s degree. The number of credits you can transfer may depend on factors like which credits you’ve earned, the degree of your intended program and the destination school’s transfer policies. Check with your prospective institution for the exact details on how your associate degree may transfer and apply.

A: Careers you may access with an associate degree can vary, as do salaries for those jobs.