# Online associate degrees Online associate degrees develop the foundational skills you need to enter growing fields like[business](/online-business-degrees/associate.html),[information technology](/online-information-technology-degrees/associate.html)and[criminal justice](/online-criminal-justice-degrees/associate.html). Take the next step in your education with online associate degree programs that are affordable, career-relevant and designed to fit your schedule. ## Program finder University of Phoenix also offers: [Bachelor's Degrees  ](/online-bachelors-degrees.html)[Master's Degrees  ](/online-masters-degrees.html)[Doctorate Degrees  ](/online-doctoral-degrees.html)[Competency-Based Degrees](/competency-based-degrees.html) > The flexibility of choosing your classes, the counselors working with you, the due dates — UOPX was more adapted to the working adult.” **Horace W. ** Associate of Arts, Business, ‘16; Bachelor of Science, Business, ’18; MBA, 2020 --- ## Why earn your online associate degree with us Start your online associate degree when you're ready You have 17 opportunities all year long to start your associate degree, so you can begin when it best suits your schedule. [Pick your start date](/admissions/class-start-dates.html) Affordable, locked-in tuition Our tuition and fees are competitive and fixed for your associate degree program. Which means no surprises or rising tuition costs – only one, set price. [See our tuition guarantee](/tuition-financial-aid.html) Accreditation that matters We’ve been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission ([hlcommission.org](https://www.hlcommission.org))  for more than 40 years. Degrees like the Associate of Arts with a concentration in Business Fundamentals is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. [Check our accreditation](/about/accreditation.html) Career Services for Life® commitment Gain lifetime access to resources, tools and support for your career after you complete your associate degree. [More about career services](/career-services.html) ## Earn career-relevant skills in weeks – not years Get value from your education before you even graduate. Update your resumé and LinkedIn profile with learned skills when you complete every 5- or 6-week course in our associate, bachelor's and master's programs. [Learn more](/online-degrees/skills-aligned-learning.html) ## Frequently asked questions about online associate degrees Expand AllCollapse All ### How long does it take to earn an online associate degree? Associate degree programs typically take two years to complete. But you may be able to save time and money on your associate degree by [transferring eligible credit](/tuition-financial-aid/transfer-credits.html)s from an accredited institution, or applying to have your relevant [work and life experiences](/tuition-financial-aid/prior-learning-assessment.html) evaluated for potential credit toward your degree.  ### What can you do with our associate degrees? Online associate degrees are building blocks in higher education — and your future. When you choose to an associate degree, you‘ll learn from practitioner faculty who bring years of industry experience in fields like business, information technology and criminal justice. So, you can be ready and equipped with the foundational skills and knowledge you need to enter these fields confidently. Here are the associate degree programs you can pursue: An Associate of Arts with a concentration in Business Fundamentals degree can help lay an educational foundation to prepare you to be an: - Administrative services and facilities managers An Associate of Science in Cybersecurity degree can help prepare you to be a: - Computer and information systems administrator - Computer and information systems manager - Network and computer system administrator An Associate of Arts in Information Technology degree can help prepare you to be a: - Computer systems analyst An Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice degree can help prepare you to be a: - Correctional officers and jailers ### How many credits do you need for an associate degree? 60-63 credits – but many of our students[transfer credits](/tuition-financial-aid/transfer-credits.html)from accredited institutions, helping them save time and money on their associate degree. You may also apply for[work and life experience](/tuition-financial-aid/prior-learning-assessment.html)credits to help save time and money earning your degree. Speak to an enrollment representative at: 844-937-8679. ### How will getting an associate degree help me more than having a high school diploma? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, associate degree employment is[projected to grow](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-summary.htm)by 7.9% between 2018 and 2028, versus only 2.9% for those with a high school diploma.* So, if you’re looking to pursue one of our associate degrees, you’ll develop the career-relevant skills needed to stay competitive. And after you’ve earned your associate degree, you may also pursue an online bachelor’s degree at University of Phoenix, which you can complete while working in the field. [View education employment projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-summary.htm) ### What is the easiest associate degree to get? All online associate degrees require dedication. Focus on career goals when selecting an associate degree program rather than ease of completion to get the best results from your education. If you are uncertain about what associate degree to choose you can get help with our[Program Finder](/online-degrees/find-your-program.html). ### Are online associate degrees worth it? According to recent data from the[U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2021/data-on-display/education-pays.htm), associate degree graduates earn an average of $157 more per week than high school graduates. Median incomes of associate degree holders come from BLS data and are not specific to University of Phoenix graduates. Your actual earnings may vary. [Apply now](/application/quick-app/personal-info) ### Interested in pursuing a degree? Have questions about our degree programs? Speak with an enrollment representative. [Request Information](https://www.phoenix.edu/request/request-information) Need help now? Connect with an enrollment representative right away. While widely available, not all programs are available to residents of all states. Please check with a University Enrollment Representative. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.