News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Casey Curtis, Communications Coordinator 870-722-8241 | [email protected] | www.uaht.edu
HOPE/TEXARKANA, AR – June 14, 2023
If you’re ready to start a new career, want to advance in your current field, or are preparing to transfer to a four-year university to finish a bachelor’s degree, gaining a broad-based education through an Associate of Arts (AA) program could help you reach your goals and save you money. But what is an AA degree, and what can you do with one?
An AA degree is one of the most common types of two-year degree programs. It is a two-year undergraduate degree program requiring the completion of 60 credit hours. It offers a strong foundation of general education courses in subjects like writing, humanities, and social science and also provides key career skills.
“The AA degree prepares students with skills that 21st-century employers seek in job candidates, like communication, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and technological literacy,” said Laura Clark, Vice Chancellor for Academics at the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT).
Earning an AA degree can give you the boost you need to start an exciting career across many fields, including social services, business, retail, and more. If you’re ready to kickstart your career, an Associate of Arts degree could help you reach your goals.
What does an Associate of Arts Degree Program Really Like?
AA degree programs are designed for students who have achieved a high school diploma or equivalent and want to advance in their current careers, start new careers, or lay a foundation for their future education. However, high school students can begin working toward an AA degree through concurrent credit while still in high school. Students at Hope High School and Arkansas High School can attain an Associate of Arts degree and high school diploma simultaneously through the Hope and Arkansas High Collegiate Academies.
Because associate degrees are typically two-year programs, they can help you get the knowledge and skills you need to start your career faster than a bachelor’s degree program.
An associate degree from UAHT is more affordable than a bachelor’s degree, saving students thousands of dollars in their first two years of college, and students can transfer the credits to any Arkansas public university if they so choose. Financial aid and scholarships may also be available for students working toward an associate degree to help offset the cost even more.
“The AA degree might be a better choice for someone who is not ready to commit to the four-year degree, even if they are considering it in their long-term goals,” said Clark. “The AA degree helps you explore your interests and get your foot in the door, both professionally and educationally.”
How Many Credit Hours are Needed for an AA Degree?
Associate degree programs typically require 60 total credits. Since an undergraduate course is usually worth three credits, a 60-credit degree program translates into around 20 courses. These courses are traditionally completed over the span of two years. The number of courses required and the time it takes to finish an AA degree can vary from student to student.
Because more students are balancing work and family obligations with their education, the UAHT online associate degree program offers more flexibility to earn a degree at your own pace.
If you’re working full-time while pursuing your degree, it may take you longer than two years to complete the program. But while some students may take longer than two years to complete an AA program, others can earn their degree even faster. Because general education courses make up a large portion of the Associate of Arts program, students with concurrent credit or past educational experience can often apply transfer credits toward their program requirements. Some degree programs may even offer credit for professional experience through prior learning assessment.
What is an Associate of Arts Degree Used For?
AA degrees provide a strong foundation of career skills that employers are looking for across many industries. Earning an associate degree could help boost your lifetime earnings and employment prospects.
“The AA degree is a stepping stone for students looking to grow in a career where their current employer requires some postsecondary education,” said Clark.
Through the broad-based education of an AA program, you can develop skills such as:
Collaboration
Communication
Critical thinking
Decision making
Problem-solving
While the specific jobs you can get with an AA degree will vary, these skills can help you stand out to employers and get a rewarding job across many industries.
The AA degree is also designed for you to complete the first two years of general education courses for a bachelor’s degree, preparing you to transfer to a four-year university. Many students qualify for transfer scholarships.
Thanks to the Arkansas Transfer Achievement Scholarship, AA graduates from UAHT can transfer to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and pay the low UAHT tuition rate. Many other universities in Arkansas and Texas A&M University-Texarkana in Texas also offer transfer scholarships to qualifying UAHT graduates.
Is an Associate of Arts Degree Worth It?
In many fields, an associate degree is enough to get started in entry-level positions. If you already have professional experience in your chosen field, earning an AA degree may also be enough to pursue higher-level leadership positions and advance your career.
“More and more employers are requiring some form of postsecondary education, and in many cases, a two-year degree is sufficient and offers graduates an opportunity to advance in their career or launch into a new one,” said Clark.
According to the BLS, associate degree holders earned about 18% more per week in 2022 than workers with only a high school diploma. Associate degree holders also experienced lower unemployment rates, at 4.6% for associate degree holders compared to 6.2% for high school graduates without any college experience.
Jobs for associate degree holders are also growing. According to BLS data, jobs requiring at least an associate degree are expected to rise 8.8% from 2021-2031.
An AA degree can also set you up for success in a four-year bachelor’s degree program, which can help you advance your education and career even further.
“The AA degree can serve as a meaningful milestone to someone who is desiring a better career or considering a bachelor’s degree, as it prepares you professionally and is equivalent to the first two years of the four-year degree,” said Clark.
What Bachelor’s Degree Can I Get With an Associate in Arts?
An AA degree is a great first step toward almost any bachelor’s degree. The AA degree consists of general education courses that you are able to transfer to any Arkansas public university. Depending on the bachelor’s program you’re seeking, you may need to take some prerequisite classes before officially beginning to work toward your degree. But in most cases, you’ll be able to start your bachelor’s degree with your general education courses already completed. This means you can start your program courses faster and graduate with your four-year degree sooner.
“In Arkansas, students can transfer easily into bachelor’s programs should they decide to in the future,” said Clark.
If you end up pausing your education before completing the four-year degree, you’ll still have your Associate of Arts credential to support your career. According to BLS data, people with an associate degree have better earning and professional potential than workers who have taken some college courses without completing any degree.
Why Earn an Associate of Arts Degree?
Now that you’ve explored the ins and outs of an AA degree, you may still be wondering if this educational path is right for you. So, what is an Associate of Arts degree really good for?
According to Clark, there are many direct career benefits for students.
“Many jobs today require an associate degree, so for someone looking to join the workforce, the AA degree can increase their marketability and job candidacy,” said Clark.
Perhaps you don’t need a four-year degree to advance your career in your chosen field. Or maybe you’re just not sure what your calling is and aren’t ready to commit to a four-year degree.
No matter your reasons for pursuing a two-year degree program, an AA degree is a credential that can open many doors.
“Students gain skills that are in high demand today, like communication, intercultural knowledge, and skills that are part of lifelong learning and empower them for a better future,” said Clark.
An Associate of Arts degree can change your life. Find out how you can enroll today by contacting the Purtle Advising Center at 870-722-8124 or emailing [email protected].