FRCC and other community colleges have an open enrollment policy, which means adults over the age of 17 with or even without a high school diploma or GED are guaranteed admission. The BLS reports that median earnings in 2015 increased by $120 per week for those with an associate’s degree compared to those with a high school diploma.2. FRCC’s student-to-faculty ratio is 19 to 1, and our average class size is just 17 students. To help you in your research, we discovered five facts about associate’s degrees that may surprise you. In her pre-writing life, she worked in accounting and finance. Ashley is a freelance writer for Collegis education who writes student-focused articles on behalf of Rasmussen College. You know one thing for sure – you’d rather not spend four years in school before launching your new career. 10.26.2020, Kirsten Slyter | On the contrary, a person with a Certificate cannot earn a Master’s or a Bachelor’s degree. Yes, It’s True! Associate's degrees may be offered in some certificate areas, but a certificate program allows students to complete their education more quickly to be able to enter the workforce. There’s a lot of examination that needs to be done, but where do you even start? Her reasons were because she was a teen mom, had worked really hard to go back to school and felt like it was a huge accomplishment … You have … A Bachelor’s in Geospatial Science? Let us bust your biggest excuses for putting off a degree in our article: I Want to Go Back to School But [Insert Excuse Here]. What this article fails to mention is that an associate degree is an accomplishment and it shows your future employer that you've set out to do something and completed it. DVC offers associate degrees and certificates in a wide variety of programs. the wide variety of field of study options, How an Associate Degree Helps You Earn a Bachelor's Degree, Top 5 Reasons to Earn Your Associate Degree (Even if you want to transfer), Cartographer Returns for Associate Degree. Please correct the errors and submit again. The program you have selected is not available in your area. You're already in the groove of going to school. Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display. Posted by 5 years ago. There is no obligation to enroll. And an associate degree for transfer is a step along the way to your bachelor’s degree—with added earning power. Earning a bachelor’s degree brings with it a substantial jump in pay. She also is a fledgling children’s writer. At FRCC and all Colorado community colleges, there are many statewide transfer agreements that allow you to transfer into a university or college with junior status and complete your bachelor’s degree in no more than 60 additional credits. If you've already earned your associate's degree or are nearly there, congratulations! Most associate’s degree programs can be completed in two years or less.3 This option has the ability to save you time and money compared to a four-year bachelor’s program. Associate’s degree programs also offer plenty of flexible learning options so you can continue working your current job while fitting courses into your busy schedule. Degrees and certificates; Toggle left nav Degrees and Certificates. If one looks at the importance of Certificate and Associate degrees, one cannot … Community colleges have smaller campuses and class sizes, which is perfect if you’re intimidated by the idea of a big school. Michaele Charles is the founder of Voice Communications and writes frequently for higher education institutions, small businesses, corporate clients, and others. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Compare that to the more than 6.3 million jobs available to those with an associate’s degree! These are just a handful of job titles you could be eligible for with the right associate degree: Associate's degree in business management, Associate's degree in health information technology, Associate's degree in early childhood education, Associate's degree in information technology. Sure, there are several jobs available to you with your high school … A group of us were transferring and out of us only one wanted to get her Associate's degree. Here at FRCC or another college, you can get a high-quality education and begin your journey, whether you plan to start working or transfer to a four-year college or university to get a bachelor’s degree. Many associate’s degrees can open a variety of doors to new career opportunities. Finishing my associate's degree may not seem like much of an accomplishment … The reality is that community colleges are significantly less expensive than most four-year colleges and universities, yet you can still get a great education from caring teachers who are dedicated to student success. Earning your associate’s degree can make a significant impact on your life, but it doesn’t have to take a significant amount of time. Slide 2 Certificate of Accomplishment Examples: Emergency Medical Technician (4.5 units), … Talk with an admissions advisor today. So if you were questioning the value of an associate’s degree, maybe those 1.6 million more potential jobs will change your mind! These courses can help you narrow down which topics you truly love and want to pursue in your field, such as marketing or finance in the business field, or coding or design in web development. The courses you’ll encounter in an associate’s program will introduce you to a range of topics within your industry of choice. Associate degrees are two-year degrees, so for someone who wants to get in, get out, and get to work, they are excellent options, especially the associate in applied science degree. Maybe you’ve held off on pursuing a degree because you’re not exactly sure where you want your career path to lead in the future. Connect with Rasmussen College on Facebook, Connect with Rasmussen College on Instagram, Connect with Rasmussen College on LinkedIn, Connect with Rasmussen College on Pinterest, Connect with Rasmussen College on Twitter, Connect with Rasmussen College on Youtube, Human Resources and Organizational Leadership, Information Technology Project Management, I Want to Go Back to School But [Insert Excuse Here], How to Finish College Faster: 6 Ways to Get on with Real Life Sooner, 12 Tips to Balance Working Full Time and Going to College, 6 Signs You’re Ready to be a College Student, Financial Aid and FAFSA (for those who qualify). Many states guarantee admission into their public four-year colleges for students who earn associate degrees at one of their community colleges. But is an associate’s degree really worth it? An associate degree also takes you one step further in your educational journey. Good for you! If the cost of tuition is on your mind, however, or you’re concerned that your high school GPA wasn’t strong enough to get into a four-year university, you still have an excellent option –  community college. Please visit www.rasmussen.edu/degrees for a list of programs offered. Cybersecurity and Computer Networking, Certificate of Accomplishment; Cybersecurity Fundamentals, Certificate of Accomplishment; Cybersecurity, Associate of Science Degree; Cybersecurity, Certificate of Achievement; IT Foundation, Certificate of Accomplishment; MCSA: Microsoft Windows Server 2016, Certificate of Accomplishment Need some examples? Some schools offer online courses or self-directed formats that could allow you to accelerate your education and graduate faster. All Rights Reserved. An associates degree is a real degree, as long as it comes from an accredited college. There are so many great reasons to earn an associate degree, whether your plan is to transfer to a four-year college for a bachelor’s degree or prepare yourself for the job market. Certificates and associate degrees Counseling 1 Dr. Lauren Sharp students who earn associate degrees and certificates a! Earn an average of $ 836 per week, or $ 60,996 year... Here are five reasons you should consider getting an associate ’ s four-year institutions degree it. For transfer is a fledgling children ’ s degree really worth it applying jobs. Expand your future opportunities welding or architectural engineering ) may help you in your research, discovered. Rasmussen College is a regionally accredited College authorized to operate as a educational! Major within a discipline and the breadth of general education classes that might have upwards of 300 or... Rasmussen College to contact me by email, phone or text message at the number provided for On-Campus Learning freshmen. 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