Associate degree
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An associate degree or associate's degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study lasting two to three years. It is a level of academic qualification above a high school diploma and below a bachelor's degree.
The first associate degrees were awarded in the UK (where they are no longer awarded) in 1873 before spreading to the US in 1898. In the United States, the associate degree may allow transfer into the third year of a bachelor's degree.[1] Associate degrees have since been introduced in a small number of other countries.
Americas
Argentina
In Argentina, tertiary colleges ("institutos terciarios") offer associate degrees in a variety of areas, including elementary and high school teacher, and technical fields, upon completion of three or four years of study. Some of these degrees may be articulated with university programs, to obtain a bachelor degree after, usually, two additional years. Associate degrees are also offered by some universities, as a final degree or as an intermediate stage before a bachelor degree.
In Hispanic America, an associate degree is called a carrera técnica, tecnicatura or Técnico Superior Universitario (TSU), while a bachelor's degree would be known as a licenciatura or ingeniería.
Brazil
In
In 2001, Brazil added tecnólogo ('technologist') as a form of undergraduate degree (graduação). A technologist's degree varies between two and three years of full time studies to complete. This degree takes a shorter time period to obtain than a bachelor or teaching degree (some of which may take between four and six years to complete), and it aims to provide highly specialized knowledge (e.g., agribusiness technical degree, tourism management degree, web development technical degree, etc.).[3]
Canada
United States
In the United States, associate degrees are awarded after completion of sixty semester or ninety quarter college credits.
The two most commonly awarded associate degrees are the Associate in/of Arts (AA) and Associate in/of Science (AS) degrees.
Generally, one year of study is focused on college level general education in disciplines such as Communications, English, History, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Social Science, and the second year is focused on the area of a student's major.
Students who complete a vocational program can often earn a terminal associate degree such as the Associate of Applied Arts (AAA) or the Associate of Applied Science (AAS).[11]
Transfer admissions in the United States sometimes allows courses taken and credits earned on an AA or AS to be counted toward a bachelor's degree more commonly through articulation or transfer credit agreements but sometimes through recognition of prior learning, depending on the courses taken, applicable state laws/regulations, and the transfer requirements of the university.[12]
Common associate-level degree titles include:[11]
- Associate of Arts (AA)
- Associate of Applied Arts (AAA)
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
- Associate of Forestry (AF)
- Associate of Fine Arts (AFA)
- Associate of Theology (ThA or ATh)
- Associate of Science (AS)
- Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS)
California
The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act was signed into legislation on September 29, 2010, which is legislation that grants any
Historical development
The University of Chicago was established in 1891 with four groups of colleges – liberal arts, literature, science, and practical arts (later commerce and administration). These were subdivided into 'junior' (or 'academic') and 'senior' (or 'university') colleges. Bachelor's degrees were awarded by the senior colleges, and certificates were initially awarded by the junior colleges. In 1899 the board of trustees voted to replace these certificates with associate degrees (Associate in Arts, Associate in Literature, and Associate in Science), which were first awarded in 1900. Eells concludes that it is "not unlikely" that people at Chicago knew of the associate degrees being awarded in the United Kingdom, but there is no direct evidence of this. Chicago discontinued its associate degrees in 1918.[14]
The associate degree spread across the US, with California College in Oakland (now the
By 1918, 23% of junior colleges were awarding Associate in Arts degrees. By 1941–42, 40% of junior colleges awarded some form of associate degree, and by 1960 this had grown to 75%, with 137 different associate degrees in use. Over a third of associate degrees awarded in the US in 1958–59 were granted by Californian junior colleges.[16]
West Indies
Two year associate degrees are found throughout the West Indies. They are offered by regional organisations such as the
Oceania
Australia
In 2004, Australia added "associate degree" to the Australian Qualifications Framework.[22] This title was given to courses more academically focused than advanced diploma courses, and typically designed to articulate to bachelor's degree courses.[23]
Europe
Qualifications on the short cycle of the Bologna Process/level 5 on the European Qualifications Framework sit between secondary education and bachelor's degree level and are thus approximately equivalent to an associate degree. Such qualifications include the Foundation degree (FdA, FdSc, FdEng), Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) and Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) in the United Kingdom,[24] the Higher Certificate in the Republic of Ireland,[25] and the French Diplôme universitaire de Technologie (DUT) and Brevet de Technicien supérieur (BTS).[26]
Czech Republic
In Czech Republic one achieves the title DiS. "Diplomovaný specialista" (Certificated Specialist).
Denmark
A 2–2.5 year education on BA-level is called "Erhvervsakademiuddannelse". This is called an AP-Degree (Academy Professional Degree) in English.
France
For many decades, a diploma comparable to an associate degree was considered a very adequate degree for those willing to work as qualified technicians. Yet as the general population spends an increasing amount of time studying, they are no longer as attractive to students who wish to distinguish themselves.[27] In 2021, the Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie (DUT) was reframed as an intermediate degree part of a three-year curriculum now referred to as BUT.[28] Prior to the reform of 2006, universities awarded a two-year diploma called DEUG, the purpose of which was also to help the student pursue studies in a field that differed from what was initially intended. The degree was considered a 'stepping stone' ahead of the completion of a bachelor's degree. Aside from the Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) which remains relevant in many fields for which long academic studies are not deemed crucial[29] and for which young professionals are in demand, degrees comparable to an associate degree are gradually being phased out, although their legitimacy remains in theory (but not always in practice[30]) unchanged for those who were awarded one in the past.
Greece
See: IEK
Netherlands
In the Netherlands, there were four pilots between 2005 and 2011 to assess the added value of the associate degree.[31] In 2007 the associate degree was added to the Dutch system of higher education within the Higher Professional Education (HBO) stream taught at universities of applied sciences (hogeschool). Associate degree courses form part of HBO bachelor's degree courses, and advising requirements are the same for the two-year associate degree and the related four-year bachelor's degree. Those gaining the associate degree may proceed to an HBO bachelor's degree in only two years, but it does not articulate to bachelor's degrees in the research-oriented (WO) stream.[32]
Norway
A two-year education on BA-level is called Høgskolekandidat, translated "university college graduate".[33] Only a few professions require 120 ECTS, e.g. piano tuner, driving instructor.
Sweden
A 2–2.5 year education on BA-level is called an AP-Degree (Academy Professional Degree). See also: List of
United Kingdom
The title of Associate in Physical Science (Associate in Science (ASc) from 1879) was introduced in 1865 by the
The title of Associate in Arts, introduced by the University of Oxford in 1857 and sometimes referred to as the degree of Associate in Arts, predates the Durham degree. However, it was an examination for "those who are not members of the university" and who were under the age of 18; as such it was at the level of a high school qualification rather than a modern associate degree. Examinations were held in English, languages, mathematics, science, drawing and music, with the title being conferred on those students who passed any two (as long as the two were not drawing and music).[40]
British equivalents to associate degrees vary depending on the national system which issued them. Based on assessment by the UK
Asia
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, associate degrees were first introduced in 2000 with the aim of increasing the number of students with post-secondary qualifications.
Turkey
Associate degrees are called önlisans derecesi in Turkey, while bachelor's degrees are known as lisans derecesi.[46]
References
Citations
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- ^ "Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil de 1988". www.planalto.gov.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- ^ "Marco legal e normativo / Catálogo Nacional de Cursos Superiores de Tecnologia". portal.mec.gov.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved April 1, 2020.
- ^ "Associate Degrees". British Columbia Commission on Admissions and Transfer. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ "Associate Degrees". Douglas College. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ "Levels of Study".
- ^ "Diploma Programs at Ontario Colleges". ontariocolleges.ca. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ "Postsecondary Education in Quebec". Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- ^ "Degree Programs". College of DuPage. Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
- ^ Haidar, Hasna. "What is an Associate's Degree?". topuniversities.com. QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
- ^ a b "Structure of the US Education System: Associate Degrees". Education USA. US Department of Education.
- ^ "Student Zone – College – Finding/Applying". College Zone. Archived from the original on July 18, 2013. Retrieved July 25, 2013.
- ^ "Cal State University". California State University Transfer Requirements.
- ^ Walter Crosby Eells (1963). Degrees in Higher Education. Library of education, a project of the Center for Applied Research in Education. Center for Applied Research in Education. pp. 95–97.
- ^ Walter Crosby Eells (1963). Degrees in Higher Education. Library of education, a project of the Center for Applied Research in Education. Center for Applied Research in Education. pp. 97–98.
- ^ Walter Crosby Eells (1963). Degrees in Higher Education. Library of education, a project of the Center for Applied Research in Education. Center for Applied Research in Education. pp. 98–99.
- ^ "CXC Associate Degrees". Caribbean Examinations Council.
- ^ "Programmes". The University of the West Indies Open Campus.
- ^ "Associate Degree Programmes". Barbados Community College.
- ^ "Courses of Study". University of Technology, Jamaica.
- ^ "ASGS Associate Degrees". Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College.
- ^ "Introduction of Associate Degree in 2004". Australian Qualifications Framework Advisory Board. Archived from the original on August 5, 2004. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ "Main features of the Associate Degree". Australian Qualifications Framework Advisory Board. Archived from the original on August 5, 2004. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ "The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)" (PDF). Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 December 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
- ^ "Recognition Ireland Statement on US associate degree". Qualificationsrecognition.ie. Archived from the original on May 27, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
- ^ "EQUIVALENCE DE DIPLOME (Degree equivalence)". voilanewyork.com. Retrieved March 29, 2014.
- ^ "Niveau d'éducation de la population − France, portrait social | Insee".
- ^ "Les BUT (Bachelors universitaires de technologie)".
- ^ "Que faire après un BTS ?".
- ^ Calmand, Julien (April 2014). "Le début de carrière des jeunes sortant de l'enseignement supérieur". L'État de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche en France (7): 54–55.
- ^ "Associate degree". Rijksoverheid (in Dutch). Archived from the original on March 5, 2012. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ "The Dutch Education System described" (PDF). EP-Nuffic. January 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ "The Norwegian table of qualifications - NOKUT". Archived from the original on 14 July 2017. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
- ^ William Crookes (1877). The Chemical News and Journal of Physical Science. Vol. XXXVI. p. 128.
- ^ a b c Walter Crosby Eells (1963). Degrees in Higher Education. Library of education, a project of the Center for Applied Research in Education. Center for Applied Research in Education. pp. 94–95.
- ^ Univ, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne (1884). The Durham College of Science Calendar: Session 1884–1885. pp. 13, 24.
- ISBN 978-0-87589-376-1.
The world's first associate's degree, the associate in science, was awarded by England's University of Durham in 1873. The University of Chicago awarded the first American associate's degree in 1898. It offered associate in arts, associate in literature, and associate in science degrees.
- ^ Durham University Calendar 1919–1920. p. 555.
- ^ C.E. Whiting (1932). The University of Durham 1832–1932. Sheldon Press. p. 262.
- ^ Thomas Acland (1858). Some Account of the Origin and Objects of the New Oxford Examinations for the Title of Associate in Arts, and Certificates for the Year 1858. J. Ridgway.
- ^ "Summary guide to HNC and HND qualifications" (PDF). Retrieved January 22, 2016.
- ^ "Get An Associate Degree in Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. August 1, 2014.
- ^ "Q & A on Sub-degree Programmes". Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes. Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
- ^ "Associate degree not career booster: Survey". China Daily Asia. July 11, 2016.
- ^ Victor Fung Keung (September 6, 2016). "Don't see Hong Kong's associate degrees as substandard".
- ^ "YÖK Diploma ve Derecelerin Tanınması". uluslararasi.yok.gov.tr. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
Bibliography
- Allen, I. Elaine; Seaman, Jeff (2006). Making the Grade: Online Education in the United States, 2006. The Sloan Consortium.
- Bragg, Ann Kieffer (1982). Fall 1979 Transfer Study. Report 3: Second Year Persistence And Achievement. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois Community College Board. ERIC ED230228.
- Koltai, Leslie (1984). Redefining The Associate Degree. Washington: American Association of Community and Junior Colleges. ERIC ED242378.
- Wittstruck, J. R. (1985). Requirements For Certificates, Diplomas And Associate Degrees: A Survey Of The States. Denver, Colorado: State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.
Further reading
- Crosby, Olivia (2002). "Associate Degree: Two Years to a Career or a Jump Start to a Bachelor's Degree" (PDF). Occupational Outlook Quarterly. Vol. 46, no. 4. Washington: Bureau of Labor Statistics. pp. 2–12. ERIC EJ662278. Retrieved April 17, 2018.