Associates Degree vs Bachelors Degree
Both Associate degree and Bachelor’s degree are undergraduate degrees, but they have differences in terms of scope, duration, and outcome. Many students about to enroll in a graduate degree often face confusion when choosing between an Associate’s Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree, as their decision will impact their time, money, and future prospects. This article aims to clarify the distinctions between these two degrees so students can make an informed choice.
What is an Associate’s Degree?
An Associate’s degree is an undergraduate degree offered by community colleges and technical universities. Typically, an associate degree is a two-year program consisting of 60 credit hours. Students who are unsure of their career path or unsure about pursuing college studies beyond an associate’s degree often choose this option. However, some students purposefully select an associate’s degree if it meets their career needs. Students who want to pursue further studies can transfer the credits earned during their associate’s degree into a bachelor’s degree program. After completion, an associate degree can lead to jobs with lower pay than those available to bachelor’s degree holders, such as healthcare technician and medical assisting positions or paralegal roles. Essentially, an associate’s degree is more like a crash course or a professional certificate training a candidate in a particular field of specialization.
What is a Bachelor’s Degree?
A Bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree pursued by students who have a clear idea of their career path. All reputed universities and colleges offer bachelor’s degree programs. A bachelor’s degree is a full-time course, usually taking 4-5 years to complete and consisting of 128 credit hours. Upon completion, students can apply for jobs in their chosen field, as a bachelor’s degree offers more opportunities in terms of job prospects. It also serves as a basis for pursuing a Master’s degree or a career in research. After completing a bachelor’s degree, students can choose to undertake any professional course, such as law, medicine, administration, or dentistry.
Key Takeaways
- An associate degree is typically a two-year program with 60 credit hours, while a bachelor’s degree is a full-time course that takes 4-5 years to complete and consists of 128 credit hours.
- Associate’s degrees are offered by community colleges and technical universities, while bachelor’s degrees are provided by all reputed universities and colleges.
- A bachelor’s degree offers more career opportunities than an associate’s degree, which can lead to lower-paying jobs or serve as a launching pad for higher studies.
