Going back to School: Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree?

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Educator Mom

My name is Amy Hernandez and I live in Woodstock, Ga. I am the single mom of an amazing 18 year old daughter named Leyanet. I was born in Michigan and grew up in Tooele, Utah. I've been in the South for the last 13 years and even though I love it...there is nothing better than the "West Coast". Currently, I work for a local university as an Admissions Counselor and change lives on daily basis thru education; is not only rewarding, but it has taught me that when you have a goal and wanted bad enough, it can be done. Majored in Professional Communications and hopefully one day...publish my own book:-) My hobbies are photography, sewing and writing.

Going back to School: Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree?

Posted on March 03, 2010

If going back to school has been in the back of your mind for your quite some time…maybe starting out small and working your way to the top might be the right path.

Returning to school and earning a degree to many things: a promotion, career change or maybe you are like many out there that just got laid off due to company downsizing and this might the perfect time to go back and finish what you once started. Depending on how many college credits you have if little or none at all, you might want to consider and Associate’s Degree and then transitioning to a Bachelor’s Degree program.

Many individuals have a schema of an Associate’s Degree as not being a valid degree because it does not add up to a Bachelor’s Degree. Obviously, the earning potential of a Bachelor’s Degree is much greater than an Associate’s Degree, but that two year degree is you mid-way point of that long waiting promotion or the door opener to another career while you are working on the remaining half of your four year degree.

Depending on the schools requirements an Associate’s Degree usually consists of two year (60 credits) or up to 72 credits. This degree covers all the general education requirements the core credits needed for the completion of the degree.

Taking this route will be great way to see if this is the right program for you and if not, when the transition to the Bachelor’s Degree arrives…choose a different major that would be a perfect match with your two year degree might the

“Icing on the Cake.” Example: Associate’s of Arts in Communications; Bachelor’s of Science in Human Resources Management. Also, if the dream job is not landed in the beginning having something to fall back on will be helpful during difficult times.

As an ex-recruiter, I interviewed many candidates that were once enrolled in a bachelor’s program and due to life happenings never made it to their third year. Many of them with years of experience but when the times comes for promotions or company downsizing there is no where to go; at least with a two year degree, if you never make it to the second half…you are still a holder of a degree until the times comes.

Setting your goals will be the first step, if the goals matters enough for you…you will find a way to make accomplish it.