An associate degree can earn you twice the salary of the average high school graduate (U.S. Dept of Commerce), and employment opportunities will grow fastest for professionals with a college education. An associate of arts degree can form a good basis for a wide range of bachelor's degree programs and careers. These include the arts, humanities, languages, literature, social sciences, law, teaching, accountancy, health and social work, and business administration..

What is an associate degree?
An associate of arts or associate of science degree is generally a two-year degree made up of three parts: general education requirements, major requirements, and electives. It is made up of 60 credit hours, which you can complete over two years - full-time or online. Associate of arts degrees are offered at most community colleges and in a range of subjects. Here are some examples of the pre-majors on offer:

• Art
• Accounting
• Criminal Justice
• English
• History
• Psychology
• Social Science
• Political Science
• Elementary, Middle Grades, or Special Education
• Business Administration
• English Education
• International business
• Computing
• Physical Science

In addition, you will undertake some core subjects:
• English Composition
• Humanities/Fine Arts
• Mathematics
• Natural Sciences
• Social/Behavioral Sciences
• Speech/Communication

An associate degree in arts or science is widely accepted, and the credits earned at a community college can usually be used towards a bachelor's degree. It is also a good basis for many other careers in all the above subjects whether you train within your job, online or full-time.