| An associate of arts or sciences degree program has | | | | sure of which educational path to take. For those |
| traditionally been viewed as a stepping stone to a | | | | who have a more focused idea of their intentions but |
| bachelor degree for those are unable to commit to a | | | | who still need to narrow down the possibilities, most |
| four year program. Rarely a matter of speculative | | | | associate level programs can help. As an example, |
| finances alone, the reasons for choosing to earn an | | | | many students wish to go into a field related to |
| associate's degree are as varied as the students who | | | | business, but aren't sure of whether accounting, |
| choose to take this educational path. For all the | | | | finance, management, marketing or any of the other |
| connotations that choosing to earn an associate's | | | | options are suited to them. An associates in business |
| degree holds, however, the real positives are rarely | | | | will help such students earn credit that will apply |
| discussed. | | | | toward any bachelor program while introducing them |
| In truth, few who enter into a college program have | | | | to the options at an introductory level. |
| a firm idea of (or dedication to) what is entailed with | | | | Associate's degree programs offer more than just a |
| their chosen major. According to the National Center | | | | sampling of curriculum, however. They also offer a |
| for Education Statistics, fewer students are taking | | | | student greater flexibility to change direction should |
| advantage of advisement and other services that are | | | | the need arise. While the drawback of having to take |
| available to help them make better choices regarding | | | | some required classes to get into some bachelor level |
| a field of study, while the number of students | | | | programs is a reality for many who do change |
| switching majors is on the rise. For those who wish | | | | majors, associate's degree programs allow students |
| to get a sampling of the many avenues available to | | | | to do so without having spent the majority of their |
| them, an associate's degree is an exceptional choice. | | | | time working toward something else. After all, the |
| An associate's of arts in liberal arts degree program | | | | very nature of an associate's degree is to give |
| gives students the greatest flexibility in deciding on | | | | students an opportunity to get 100 and 200 level |
| which electives to take to meet graduation | | | | classes completed, which will be required no matter |
| requirements and is geared toward those who aren't | | | | what their academic future holds. |