Can you get a bachelor's degree without an associate's degree?

Answer 1

I believe it depends on the firm that hires you. They may offer some financial assistance for you to return to school for your bachelors. Should you get a job, make sure you find out ALL of the options they offer, if any.

Answer 2

Yes. The common degree is a four-year bachelors degree. Some bachelor degree programs do not even offer an associate in the same field of study. For example, you cannot obtain an associates in teaching. You have to have at least a bachelors and in some states a Masters degree to be able to teach. Yes you can. It's a matter of preference. Personally, with the expense of four year institutions today, the community college is a great place to start. It would be much less expensive, better professor to student ratio, more individual attention, smaller classroom size, more family oriented etc. Still, this is just a personal opinion. It's up to you. Do you like being a big fish in a little pond, or a little fish in a big pond. Some students just like that four year institutional environment, but you will pay for it. I teach at both the community college and university levels. In my experience, the students who start at the community college do better in their junior and senior years at the four year institution than those who started at the four year institution to begin with. The foundation you get at the community college is critical.

Answer 3

No you do not. However, read the following before making that decision.

Associates (Community College Level) vs. Bachelors (Four Year College or University)

Community College Level

An Associate degree (two year community college) is designed as a two year program of study as a full-time student provided the student takes the degree as prescribed by the college. Evidently it would take longer as a part-time student. Within the United States, the associates typically falls into three main categories; Associates of Arts (AA), Associates of Science (AS), and Associates of Applied Science (AAS). An associates of arts (AA), and associates in science (AS) degrees are typically designed for transfer to a four year college or university. Therefore, these degrees have a strong liberal arts emphasis and include a good balance of humanities, social science, and written communication along with the exact sciences especially in higher level math. They also have the foundational course work needed as prerequisites for the higher level courses at the four year institution. The AAS was typically designed as a terminal degree giving the student all the expertise needed to enter the workforce after completion of the degree. However, today, many AAS degree are transferable, but the student should meet with the transfer counselor for appropriate direction when it comes to the AAS degrees. Depending on the program of study and state mandates, the associates can take anywhere from 60 to 64 credits to complete. Some programs of study (usually within the health related fields) may take a bit more in credits.

Four Year College or University Level

The bachelors degree (four year college or university) is designed as a four year program of study provided the student takes the degree as prescribed by the college or university. Again, part-time students will take longer to complete the degree. How long it would take depends on the credit load taken per semester. Basically, within the United States there are two common categories; Bachelors of Arts (BA), and Bachelors of Science (BS). It depends on the institution and department within the school as to which focus they prefer.

The BA has a broader scope, with a strong emphasis on the humanities, theoretical and general knowledge in a recognized discipline, interdisciplinary field, or of a professional study.

The BS is more of a focused approach with a science base to include a balance of liberal arts, technological knowledge, math and computer oriented skills, and practical skills needed for a particular discipline within the field.

The number of credits required depends on the program of study. In general, the bachelors can take between 120 and 128 credits to complete. Some programs of study may take more. For example, architecture. The following are some differences between community colleges, and four year colleges and universities.

Community College

Many individuals start at the community college level for a variety of reasons to include:

• Community colleges are less expensive to start out with. You can cut the cost of a four year degree almost in half by starting at a community college first, and then transferring to four year college or university to finish up the last two years.
• There are typically smaller classroom sizes at the community college with a better professor to student ratio, which means more individualized attention.
• Some students do not meet the entrance requirements of the four year college or university, thus they start at the community college first, then transfer later.
• The community colleges are typically more family oriented, with a strong sense of community.
• Some students like to be close to home, thus they start at their home county community college.

Four Year Colleges and Universities

• Four year institutions are usually larger, with a number of activities not offered at the community college level. For example, fraternities, and sororities, College Football, etc.
• Some colleges may have top name lecturers, within large lecture halls which are preferred by many students.
• Some individuals like the four year institutions environment (the university atmosphere).
• There are students who can major in special program curriculums not offered by the community college.

In the end, it is a matter of preference. Do you like being a big fish in a little pond, or a little fish in a big pond? Whichever you choose, you must be happy with your school, its offerings, the services provided, and environment. If you're not happy, you will not fair as well.

Answer 4

No, an Associate's Degree just means you have two years of college and probably took courses that were not necessary for transferring to a four-year university. There are some advantages in that some four-year universities accept the Associate's Degree and all credits will transfer so that you enter as a junior. There are cases where a scholarship program only pays for "degree completion," so in Nevada one must at least get an Associate's Degree before transferring out of state for the Millennium Scholarship to pay. If you plan on getting a Bachelor's Degree, you need to check the requirement of the university to which you transfer to determine whether or not it is in your best interest to get one.

Answer 5

Typically the associates degree comes first. However, starting with an associate degree is a matter of preference. Starting with the associates degree will cut the overall cost of your education. Starting at the community college will also mean, a more community oriented environment, smaller classroom size, more individualized attention, etc. Still read the below for a more detailed look at the associates versus the bachelors degree. You can choose to start with either. My personal opinion is that the community college is a great place to start.

Associates Degree

An Associate degree is designed as a two year program of study as a full-time student provided the student takes the degree as prescribed by the college. Evidently it would take longer as a part-time student. Within the United States, the associates typically falls into three main categories; Associates of Arts (AA), Associates of Science (AS), and Associates of Applied Science (AAS). An associates of arts (AA), and associates in science (AS) degrees are typically designed for transfer to a four year college or university. Therefore, these degrees have a strong liberal arts emphasis and include a good balance of humanities, social science, and written communication along with the exact sciences especially in higher level math. They also have the foundational course work needed as prerequisites for the higher level courses at the four year institution. The AAS was typically designed as a terminal degree giving the student all the expertise needed to enter the workforce after completion of the degree. However, today, many AAS degree are transferable, but the student should meet with the transfer counselor for appropriate direction when it comes to the AAS degrees. Depending on the program of study and state mandates, the associates can take anywhere from 60to 64 credits to complete. Some programs of study (usually within the health related fields) may take a bit more in credits.

Bachelors Degree

The bachelors degree is designed as a year program of study provided the student takes the degree as prescribed by the college or university. Again, part-time students will take longer to complete the degree. How long it would take depends on the credit load taken per semester. Basically, within the United States there are two common categories; Bachelors of Arts (BA), and Bachelors of Science (BS). It depends on the institution and department within the school as to which focus they prefer.

The BA has a broader scope, with a strong emphasis on the humanities, theoretical and general knowledge in a recognized discipline, interdisciplinary field, or of a professional study.

The BS is more of a focused approach with a science base to include a balance of liberal arts, technological knowledge, math and computer oriented skills, and practical skills needed for a particular discipline within the field.

The number of credits required depends on the program of study. In general, the bachelors can take between 120 and 128 credits to complete. Some programs of study may take more. For example, architecture.

Answer 6

You can choose to go directly for The Bachelor's degree without an associates degree or to get an associate's degree and then go on to get a bachelor's degree.

Here is some information to help you decide:

Associates (Community College Level) vs. Bachelors (Four Year College or University)

An Associate degree (two year community college) is designed as a two year program of study as a full-time student provided the student takes the degree as prescribed by the college. Evidently it would take longer as a part-time student. Within the United States, the associates typically falls into three main categories; Associates of Arts (AA), Associates of Science (AS), and Associates of Applied Science (AAS). An associates of arts (AA), and associates in science (AS) degrees are typically designed for transfer to a four year college or university. Therefore, these degrees have a strong liberal arts emphasis and include a good balance of humanities, social science, and written communication along with the exact sciences especially in higher level math. They also have the foundational course work needed as prerequisites for the higher level courses at the four year institution. The AAS was typically designed as a terminal degree giving the student all the expertise needed to enter the workforce after completion of the degree. However, today, many AAS degree are transferable to four year institutions, but the student should meet with the transfer counselor for appropriate direction when it comes to the AAS degrees. Depending on the program of study and state mandates, the associates can take anywhere from 60 to 64 credits to complete. Some programs of study (usually within the health related fields) may take a bit more in credits.

Four Year College or University Level

The bachelor's degree (four year college or university)is designed as a four year program of study provided the student takes the degree as prescribed by the college or university. Again, part-time students will take longer to complete the degree. How long it would take depends on the credit load taken per semester. Basically, within the United States there are two common categories; Bachelors of Arts (BA), and Bachelors of Science (BS). It depends on the institution and department within the school as to which focus they prefer.

The BA has a broader scope, with a strong emphasis on the humanities, theoretical and general knowledge in a recognized discipline, interdisciplinary field, or of a professional study.

The BS is more of a focused approach with a science base to include a balance of liberal arts, technological knowledge, math and computer oriented skills, and practical skills needed for a particular discipline within the field.

The number of credits required depends on the program of study. In general, the bachelors can take between 120 and 128 credits to complete. Some programs of study may take more. For example, architecture. The following are some differences between community colleges, and four year colleges and universities.

Community College

Many individuals start at the community college level for a variety of reasons to include:

• Community colleges are less expensive to start out with. You can cut the cost of a four year degree almost in half by starting at a community college first, and then transferring to four year college or university to finish up the last two years.
• There are typically smaller classroom sizes at the community college with a better professor to student ratio, which means more individualized attention.
• Some students do not meet the entrance requirements of the four year college or university, thus they start at the community college first, then transfer later.
• The community colleges are typically more family oriented, with a strong sense of community.
• Some students like to be close to home, thus they start at their home county community college.
• Some careers only require an associates degree.

Four Year Colleges and Universities

• Four year institutions are usually larger, with a number of activities not offered at the community college level. For example, fraternities, and sororities, college football, etc.
• Some colleges may have top name lecturers, within large lecture halls which are preferred by many students.
• Some individuals like the four year institutions environment (the university atmosphere).
• There are students who can major in special program curriculums not offered by the community college.

In the end, it is a matter of preference.

Answer 7

Yes you can. Many students choose to go directly for the bachelor's degree.

Answer 8

An associate's degree is not a prerequisite for a bachelors degree. It is your choice as to start with either an associates or bachelors.