What Classes Do I Need to Get an Associate's Degree?
The exact classes you'll need to take earn an associate's degree will vary depending on the type of program you're interested in. Typically, however, you'll need to take around 60 credit hours and meet your program's general education and concentration requirements.
Overview of Associate's Degree Programs
The course requirements of your associate's degree program will depend on your chosen area of study. For example, if you decide to pursue an associate's degree in accounting, most of your classes will be predetermined and relate to law, taxes and business mathematics, whereas if you decide to earn a general associate's degree in the arts, you'll have more flexibility in choosing your classes and your overall program goals. All associate's degree programs are similar in structure with a requirement of completing about 60 credit hours, with half of these being general education classes and the other half being related to your area of study.
General Education Requirements
Regardless of the associate's degree program you enter, you'll have to complete general education requirements to gain a basic competency in foundational areas, including math, writing and reading. To complete your general education requirements, you'll probably have to take courses in the social sciences, the humanities, mathematics and communication, although most schools give you some choice as to the exact classes you'd like to take in these areas.
Transfer of General Education Classes
Because many students continue their studies in bachelor's degree programs, some states have agreements that facilitate transfer between their 2-year and 4-year public schools; individual colleges and universities may also have similar articulation agreements. In these cases, completing the general education requirements of an associate's degree program will meet the general education requirements of a bachelor's degree program.
Concentration
Each associate's degree program has a concentration in an area of study, each with its own course requirements. The course requirements will focus on topics related to the area of study and help you to gain the knowledge and skills you need to work in that field upon graduation. If you chose to study business, for example, your concentration classes might include marketing, management, economics and accounting.
Electives
Even though many of your classes will be planned for you, some degree programs leave room for electives or classes that you choose. In many cases, you'll choose elective classes from a set of approved classes that relate to your area of study. In this way, you can customize your program to meet your specific interests while furthering your knowledge of a broad area of study.
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