| Everyone knows that a quality continued | | | | degrees also have special abbreviations to indicate |
| education can mean the difference between | | | | their field of study. Associate of Arts degrees, |
| landing a job and landing a rewarding, lucrative | | | | which are obtained by students who wish to |
| career. But what many people aren't aware of is | | | | transfer to a four-year school, are abbreviated to |
| just how much of a difference the Internet has | | | | A.A. Associate of Applied Science degrees, earned |
| made in recent years in helping people earn that | | | | for transfers or entry-level positions, are |
| education more affordably, efficiently, and | | | | abbreviated to A.A.S., while Associate of Science |
| conveniently. Of all the different types of degrees | | | | degrees are abbreviated to A.S. |
| out there, more than half of the degrees earned | | | | Online associate degree programs appeal to a |
| online are associate degrees. Associate degree | | | | wide variety of people with different lifestyles. In |
| programs offered by universities, business | | | | particular, at-home caregivers and parents of |
| colleges, junior colleges, and community colleges | | | | small children often find the elimination of a daily |
| have enabled people to learn online and prepare | | | | commute appealing. Those who are feeling the |
| for a new career path from the comfort of their | | | | heat from the high cost of gas and other |
| own homes. | | | | commuting costs may also find that learning at |
| Although an associate degree can open up | | | | home relieves a financial burden. Internet |
| innumerable career possibilities for graduates, | | | | capabilities such as one-on-one video and voice |
| some of the most popular careers that they | | | | chat allows instructors and students more |
| specifically prepare a graduate for include: radiation | | | | one-on-one attention that is often lost in a |
| therapist, dental hygienist, registered nurse, | | | | classroom's sea of students. As well, associate |
| computer programmer, and paralegal, to name a | | | | degrees often lead to just as many career |
| few. Associate degrees come in hundreds of | | | | opportunities as bachelor's degrees, in a much |
| categories, some of the most popular being: | | | | shorter time period and at a typically lower cost |
| computer information systems, early childhood | | | | of tuition. Bachelor's degrees typically take three |
| development, fire science, graphic design, health | | | | to four years to complete, versus an online |
| care administration, liberal arts, medical assisting, | | | | associate degree, which can be achieved in two |
| online marketing, and web design. An associate | | | | years. |
| degree is also often pursued by students as a | | | | In order to ensure a quality education and |
| means of studying toward their bachelor's degree. | | | | maximize the benefits of earning a degree online, |
| However, associate degrees typically take only | | | | there are a few key responsibilities that an |
| two years of full-time attendance (12-18 credit | | | | at-home learner needs to adopt into their studying |
| hours each semester) versus a bachelor's degree, | | | | style. One of the most important responsibilities is |
| which usually takes three to four years of | | | | self-motivation, which is crucial to keeping |
| full-time attendance. | | | | procrastination at-bay and avoiding a workload |
| Like a bachelor's degree, the completion of certain | | | | that ends up out-of-control. Students who earn |
| courses is a requirement with an online associate | | | | degrees online at home need to also be |
| degree program. For example, credits which | | | | responsible for minimizing the distractions in their |
| revolve around general education are required | | | | own home environment. Ironically, the same |
| whether the student is studying healthcare, | | | | advances in technology that have made online |
| computers, law, or any number of other fields. | | | | learning possible have also created additional |
| Subjects such as biology, English, history, and | | | | distractions that may affect one's learning, such |
| math are all included amongst general education | | | | as email, instant messaging, and texting, which are |
| topics, as they are considered fundamental | | | | more easily minimized in a classroom setting. As |
| components of a quality education. In addition to | | | | well, relying on technology for education means |
| course requirements, students wishing to pursue | | | | that one is totally dependent on it. Therefore, a |
| an associate degree are also required to have at | | | | high-speed Internet connection, stable hardware, |
| least their GED or high school diploma. | | | | and data/information backup are all recommended |
| Like bachelor and master's degrees, associate | | | | investments for the online learner. |