How Many Credits for an Associate Degree?

Key takeaways

You can complete an associate degree in approximately two years to help you prepare to enter the workforce. 

• An associate degree typically requires 60 credit hours, while a bachelor’s degree requires 120 credit hours. 

• An associate degree can help you prepare for many different professions, including dental hygienist, veterinary technician, court reporter, air traffic controller, computer support specialist, and information security analyst.

• You can earn an associate degree online and even apply associate degree credits to a bachelor's degree if they come from an accredited university. 

Explore how to earn your associate degree, how you can obtain a bachelor’s degree using your associate degree credits, and which careers you may pursue after completing an associate degree.

How many credits for an associate degree?

Associate degrees typically require at least 60 course credit hours to complete (or 90 if your college is on the credit system), and the amount may vary depending on the school you attend or the program you enroll in. You may choose to take more or fewer credit hours in any given semester to complete your associate degree at a faster or slower pace.

An associate degree typically takes two years to complete, depending on your schedule and the flexibility of the school you attend. Obtaining one may be required to get a job in your field or a step toward getting a higher degree, such as a bachelor’s or a master’s.

Factors that impact how long it takes to get an associate degree

While an associate degree typically takes two years to complete, the time it takes you may vary depending on various factors. If you’re taking more or fewer credit hours in any given semester, it may take more or less time to get your degree. 

Your schedule may dictate how long it takes for you to get your degree. If you have a job in addition to studying for your degree, it may take you more time to complete a program and graduate. If you go to school full-time, you may graduate sooner because you can take more classes at one time.

Read more: What Is Time Management and Why It's Important?

Associate degree credits vs. bachelor’s degree credits

Two main differences between an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree include the time it takes to complete each degree and the focus of the degree program.

An associate degree takes approximately two years, or 60 semester credit hours, to complete and focuses on general studies or a technical or vocational field. This allows you to start your career and begin working sooner. 

A bachelor’s degree takes twice as long to complete, with a typical requirement of 120 credit hours. A bachelor’s degree program may focus more on a specific major or field of study, and sometimes employers require that you complete a bachelor’s degree to qualify for a job. In many cases, you may use the credits you earned through obtaining an associate degree toward your bachelor’s degree credits. To do so, they must come from an accredited college or university and be transferable. 

Advantages of earning an associate degree

Completing an associate degree has many advantages that may create new opportunities for you in your professional career. These advantages include:

• Completing in less time: Associate degrees require fewer credit hours to graduate, making them quicker to obtain. When you pursue an associate degree, you have the flexibility to complete your program in a time frame that works for you and start your career soon after graduating.

• Gaining needed skills: An associate degree can help you prepare for the field you want to work in by giving you opportunities to develop the skills and tools you need to be successful. Having an associate degree on your resume may also help you stand out to future employers and showcase that you’ve studied the field and completed the qualifications for a role.

• Entering the workforce sooner: Since an associate degree typically takes two years to complete, you can enter the workforce sooner than if you stayed in school for longer. Entering the workforce sooner allows you to begin working in your desired field and establish your career earlier, which may help you strengthen your connections and lead to more opportunities in the future.

How to earn an associate degree

To earn an associate degree, you first need to apply to a school that offers your intended field of study, specialization, or general studies. Once you’ve been admitted to the school, you can begin taking the required classes and credit hours to go toward your associate degree. Based on your school's policies, you will then complete your coursework with grades sufficient to graduate. Earning 60 semester credits means you will typically take about 20 classes.

Are my college credits still good after 20 years?

Your college credit never “expires” but this does not mean that a college or university will accept all of your credits as transfer credits. Whether or not your credits are accepted depends on the relevance of the course you took at the time. For example, a general math or English credit has a better chance of transferring than credits in courses of fast-changing fields like science, nursing, or engineering. 

If you have questions, you can speak to your institution's advisor or admissions officer about how to transfer credits. 

Can I earn an associate degree online?

Many colleges offer the option for you to complete your associate degree online. Pursuing an online degree may be the right option if you want a more flexible class schedule and timeframe to complete your degree. Attending college online is typically less expensive than attending school in person and saves you time commuting to and from school. 

Whether you attend college online or in person, ensure you choose an accredited institution that offers the classes and programs required to reach your career goals. 

Read more: Online Colleges: A Guide

What can I do with an associate degree?

Once you’ve completed your associate degree, you may pursue many different career options, including some roles like:

• Dental hygienist

• Veterinary technician

• Court reporter

• Air traffic controller

• Computer support specialist

• Information security analyst 

In addition to pursuing these roles, you may also choose to get your bachelor’s degree after getting your associate degree. You may transfer the associate degree credits you received to a four-year college or university to continue your educational journey and gain more experience and knowledge in your desired field of study.

Below are details on a few job options you can pursue with an associate degree:

*All salary information from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from May 2024.

Registered nurse

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $93,600 [1]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 5 percent [2]

Registered nurses provide care and assistance to patients dealing with health ailments. In this role, you may work in a hospital or doctor’s office setting within a specific specialty, such as oncology, pediatrics, or geriatrics. To become a registered nurse, you typically need an associate degree in nursing (though some states may require a bachelor’s degree) and to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), as well as fulfill any other state requirements. 

Preschool teacher

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $37,120 [3]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 4 percent [4]

Preschool teachers lead and instruct children typically younger than age five. As a preschool teacher, you teach young children basic skills, including fine motor, social, and behavioral skills, as well as how to count, write, and draw, engage in activities, and play with others. 

Some states only require an associate degree in early childhood education to become a preschool teacher. Preschool teachers with an associate degree typically work in daycares or early childhood centers.

Paralegal 

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $61,010 [5]

As a paralegal, you assist lawyers with cases by organizing files and researching ahead of trials. To become a paralegal, you typically need an associate degree and some paralegal training. You may also get additional certification or apply your associate degree credits toward getting your bachelor’s degree in paralegal studies, which could increase your job opportunities.

Web developer

Median annual US salary (BLS.gov): $90,930 [6]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2024 to 2034): 8 percent [7]

As a web developer, your responsibilities include helping design and run the interface of a website. You work through any technical problems and find solutions using coding and programming. If you’re looking to explore a career in technology, you may be able to become a web developer with an associate degree and knowledge of programming languages.

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