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