| Why do more than fifty percent of all high | | | | earn better-than-average salaries. Depending |
| school grads in the United States go on to | | | | on the kind of degree they earn there are |
| pursue a post-secondary degree? According to | | | | two general types of Associate Degree with |
| data released by the U.S. Department of | | | | specific degrees ranging from the Associate |
| Education, holders of a two-year college | | | | of Arts degree to the Associate in Physical |
| degree have lifetime earnings that outstrip | | | | Therapy degree grads can find jobs in many |
| those of a typical high school graduate by | | | | high-paid professions. Job titles may include |
| over 250,000 dollars. Many high school grads | | | | medical laboratory technician, hotel or |
| choose an Associate Degree program, which | | | | restaurant manager, heating, air-conditioning |
| takes just two years to complete at a | | | | and refrigeration technician, commercial |
| community college, junior college, technical | | | | artist or physical therapy assistant. |
| school or online university. | | | | |
| | | | Besides the chance for a secure career path |
| The extra earning power of the Associate | | | | with a well-paid job, there are excellent |
| Degree reflects what has become a | | | | secondary reasons to consider an Associate |
| three-tiered earning structure in many career | | | | Degree. In most cases, high school graduates |
| fields. In this model, different levels of | | | | can get their diploma locally at a nearby |
| learning are required to perform jobs with | | | | community college, junior college or |
| different levels of specialization. Within | | | | technical school. Besides saving on living |
| any career field, prospective job applicants | | | | expenses, they also benefit from the |
| will find jobs requiring a multi-year | | | | traditionally lower fee structures that |
| graduate degree, a four-year Bachelors | | | | characterize community colleges or local |
| degree, or in many cases just two years of | | | | technical schools. |
| specialized training culminating in an | | | | |
| Associate Degree. | | | | For those who want to continue to work |
| | | | full-time and earn their Associate Degree at |
| The health-care field illustrates this trend | | | | their own pace, an online degree program may |
| well. Top earners in this field doctors and | | | | be an alternative worthy of a second look |
| pharmacists, for example all must complete | | | | especially for working adults. Dozens of the |
| more than four years of college or university | | | | country's top online universities offer |
| work. Those holding second level jobs in the | | | | two-year degree programs in addition to their |
| health care sector a physical therapist or | | | | traditional four-year courses of study. The |
| recreation administrator in a nursing home or | | | | nations biggest online university, the |
| hospital must have a four-year college | | | | University of Phoenix Online, is one of |
| degree. But high school grads willing to put | | | | several possible places to begin exploring |
| in just two years of study to earn an | | | | this option. The UOP offers several |
| Associate Degree will also find plenty of | | | | different kinds of Associate Degree programs |
| good-paying third level career opportunities | | | | through its sister organization, Axia College |
| in the medical and health-care sector. Job | | | | of University of Phoenix. Youll find links to |
| examples include dental hygienist, physical | | | | help you investigate this option further in |
| therapy assistant or radiologic technologist. | | | | the resource box at the end of this article. |
| | | | |
| While the health care field illustrates the | | | | Matt Paolini works from home as a distance |
| many job opportunities open to the holder of | | | | learner. Visit University of Phenix or |
| an Associate Degree, it is not the only job | | | | University of Pheonix for free distance |
| sector where degree holders should expect to | | | | learning info. |