I'm a little confused on how long it takes to get an Associates degree. I know that it varies depending on field of study, but let's assume that it's general studies in preparation for a Bachelors degree.
I've read, mostly on Yahoo! Answers, that it's usually sixty credit hours to claim your Associates degree. I've also read that an average semester is in the area of fifteen credit hours. That is, you need fifteen hours actually in the classrooms each week. Which, if I've read properly, means five courses each semester, though that isn't the point.
What I'm trying to say is, if it's fifteen credit hours per semester, with four semesters each year.. well, that adds up to sixty credit hours. Shouldn't it be a... ONE-year degree? I mean, even if you're forced to get a fewer number of credit hours in the summer, I don't see how, getting an average of fifteen credit hours per semester, it will take more than five semesters.
Correct me if I'm wrong on any counts. Any insights?
2007-02-14 00:35:19 · 4 answers · asked by Chesu 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Higher Education (University +)
Huh... earlier when I was looking over answers, several people mentioned that on average you could get fifteen credits in the winter, spring and fall, and at most twelve in the summer. Guess I shouldn't pay attention to anything but the "best answer"...
2007-02-14 00:51:11 · update #1
College years are broken into two semesters: Fall and Spring. So two semesters per year, not four. Four semesters will take 2 years, thus the two year degree. Of course, by taking summer sessions, you could probably get the degree in a year and a half.
2007-02-14 00:40:43 · answer #1 · answered by gnomus12 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An Associate's degree is usually done in two years. Don't bite off more than you can chew per semester -- it's tempting. If you can do on average 30 hours per year, or 15 per semester, then you will have 60 hours in two years. Sometimes an AA or AS degree transfers nicely to a college and it's a nice way to get some of the annoying classes out of the way for a 4-year degree.
2007-02-14 08:45:31 · answer #2 · answered by Kilroy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are only two semesters in a college year. A third can be taken during accelerated summer sessions. The average "full load" at most colleges and universities is 12 hours, which does not always translate into time in a classroom. Most Associate degrees are two-year degrees. Most of these programs equate, though not always exactly, to the first two years of a four year curriculum. Most two year schools, like community or sity colleges, offer a wide variety of associate degrees and voctional certifications. Most programs include the "general education" requirements for a four year school. The advantages of a community college are ususally that they are ceaper and easier to get into than four year schools.
2007-02-14 08:51:10 · answer #3 · answered by fangtaiyang 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There aren't 4 semesters in a year. There are 2 in the academic year and then the summer is usually divided into 2 parts, but you can't take as many credits during the summer since they're double the work (well, the same work in half the time).
2007-02-14 08:43:47 · answer #4 · answered by Christina 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋