Associates Degree

[DwarfMaster]

Several years ago I dropped out of Community College to work Full-Time. I am now considering going back to finish my Associates Degree. I already have 52 credits completed and only need a handful of classes.

Is the Associates Degree really worth my time? Many people say it just doesn't cut it anymore. I have a good stable job ~ so I don't really need it right now.

I would need to take 3 classes to get complete an Associates in Business Management OR I could take 4 classes to get the Associates in Accounting Specialist.

Which do you think would be more valuable in the future?

 

[OhMari]

Has it been over 10 years. I know when I looked into it, all my credits were wiped out because it was 10 years.

I think any degree of any kind has an edge.

 

[DwarfMaster]

It's been nearly 9 years.

And my current employer will pay tuition costs.

 

[ead79]

Since your employer will pay for tuition, I say go for it. Why not give yourself an advantage, especially when it’s at no cost. Plus, should you decide to get your bachelors later, you’ll already have a head start on the courses.

 

[SC Minnie]

Go for it. If your present employer is going to pay tuition it may benefit you somewhere down the line. It can't hurt.

 

[barkley]

when you're that close, and an employer will pay for it i def. think you should go for it.

my dh started out to get his degree and certification at our local cc, he then found an excellerated bachelors program and left the cc to get his bachelors in information technology. it's served him realy well, but now he's gone back taking an evening class here and there to complete his associates/certificate in programming. it will simply make him more marketable to show that in addition to having some work experience in it he also has the education to back it up.

 

[littleclover]

I just recently returned to school from 1990 and all of my classes were still accepted. The community college that I am attending will allow me to complete my associates degree and then transfer to a university which will accept the aa and allow me to enter as Junior status. If an employer is going to pay, I say go for it. Anything will assist you in the future, especially if you decide to complete your bachelor's degree.

good luck!!

 

[Servants of Evan]

But the question which begs to be asked is: Is it worth it. In short, not in my opinion -- at least not at this time. Unfortunately an associates degree just doesn't command respect in a business situation. Heck, an Undergraduate Degree of today is the High School Diploma of thirty years ago -- it's the bare minimum for many jobs. Instead of looking to complete an associate's degree, why not go for at least an Undergraduate Degree (and see how many credits transfer) especially if your employer will pitch in and help pay for it.

 

[puffkin]

My DH is only a few classes away from completing his Associates in Accounting. While it won't be worth nearly as much as a bachelors, it is still a degree. He is not sure if he wants to continue on for his bachelors eventually. Therefore, we made sure to pick an associates program at a local college that would transfer into their bachelors program should he decide to continue. When you are that close and your employer is paying, I say go for it.

 

[DwarfMaster]

But the question which begs to be asked is: Is it worth it. In short, not in my opinion -- at least not at this time. Unfortunately an associates degree just doesn't command respect in a business situation. Heck, an Undergraduate Degree of today is the High School Diploma of thirty years ago -- it's the bare minimum for many jobs.

It's still better than nothing ~ right...or not really?

 

[salmoneous]

I've worked for a major accounting/insurance company that had a number of financial positions that required an Associated Degree. Were these great job? Not really. But they were certainlly better than the jobs we offered to people with HS diplomas.

Note that your story - going back to finish something you had started - is exactly the kind of thing we would want to hear in an interview.

 

[littleclover]

My employer told me the same thing as everyone else is saying, finish what you started and then look into tranferring to a university/college. Some programs accept the associates in whole but won't take some of the classes w/o the associates degree, so in short I would say finish the 3 classes - my opinion only.

 

[Tina]

Keep in mind that if you want to go for the Bachelor's later on, most of the courses won't transfer. Most 4 year colleges require to take your core courses at their university. Usually only general education classes will transfer and (at least in my experience) math and english courses must be within the last 3 years to transfer. Good luck!

 

[janette]

It's still better than nothing ~ right...or not really?

I would say yes, I have 90+ hours but no degree. I know that it will hurt me if I was job hunting. If I had to do it over again I'd at least have an Associates so you have something to put in the degree slot on an ap. Almost all applications are electronic and it should help to have something in the box.

 

[Puffy2]

Education is always a good thing. It will also show your current employer that you are concerned with gaining new skills and knowledge. To advance, you will probably need to continue and get your bachlors ...and if you really want to gain ground, you'll need that masters. But an associates is a good start.

 

[mickeyfan2]

It's been nearly 9 years.

And my current employer will pay tuition costs.

Absolutely do it.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Keep in mind that if you want to go for the Bachelor's later on, most of the courses won't transfer. Most 4 year colleges require to take your core courses at their university. Usually only general education classes will transfer and (at least in my experience) math and english courses must be within the last 3 years to transfer. Good luck!

You need to stay in the state system. Most state systems will transfer you as a full Junior. You might need an extra class here or there, but not 3 years.

 

[safetymom]

Once you have your associates and then decide to go on all your credits are accepted. I can speak for all of them but most will accept your associates and let you go on from there.

 

[Jockaroo]

Another thing to think about is: will completing this degree bring you a sense of personal satisfaction? If it will, definately do it. I have an associates that I completed following earning 2 masters degrees. I feel what I learned in my program was very worthwhile and very different from anything I learned for my masters.

 

[Ronda93]

Finishing what you started looks good. Do it - especially if it's going to be paid for.

As for transfering credits from CC to a university it depends entirely on the courses. Academic courses English, math and the sciences will often transfer as freshman/sophomore level courses. Watch out for math in particular though. In my experience you will NOT get a BA/BS without completing College Algebra, period. You can take a lot of math in CC and still not get it.

If you pursue an occupational track the number of credits that successfully transfer begin to shrink. These are the highly focused programs, veterinary technology, accounting/book keeping. If the credits transfer they will be counted as electives and quickly exhaust the allowance for electives.

Even with these caveats, go back to school.