Associate of arts degrees are often viewed as a great transitional program to a number of different majors. It allows you to have a wide knowledge base and amass valuable credits while giving you the opportunity to start a career in a variety of fields.
And more students are choosing to get their degrees online today for a variety of reasons. Online programs have many benefits that make them a great option and allow you to get your credentials on your own time from virtually anywhere on the planet. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why you should consider getting your associates of arts degree online.
You’ll Get a Liberal Arts Education
More and more businesses are going after liberal arts graduates these days because they tend to be well-rounded candidates. The associate of arts is a part of liberal arts and therefore offers tons of professional benefits.
One of the surprising areas where a lot of graduates end up is the tech sector. When asked, arts major and Microsoft employee Nicole Araya stated that arts graduates working in tech bring a whole different perspective.
“It’s things like team work, problem-solving, and communication,” she said. “You’re able to think in a whole different way than someone with an absolutist, methodical, and definitive mindset in a yes-no problem-solving field like STEM.”
One of the most important skill sets that you’ll acquire as an arts graduate is critical thinking. You’ll learn how to not take information at face value, and delve deeper into issues. When you’re able to master this type of thinking and apply it to the vast array of subjects being thought as part of the liberal arts curriculum, you’ll become a valuable asset to any company.
You’ll Be Able to Prepare for a Bachelors
One of the best things about getting an associate’s degree is that most of these credits are transferable and allow you to enter a bachelor’s program. And since getting an associate’s degree is much cheaper, you’ll not only be able to make significant savings but start earning and saving for your bachelor’s.
Some students also find it difficult to adapt to a 4-year college straight out of high school. Getting your associates, especially online, allows you to ease your way in. Here are some of the other benefits of online education:
- You’ll get close access to teaching staff
- Added convenience
- More flexibility
- More independence
- No lodging, transportation, or campus-related fees
- Opportunity to meet students from different backgrounds, professions, and countries
Many students may assume that online classes are impersonal, but you’d be surprised at how close you feel with other students and teachers. You’ll have the chance to directly ask questions without interrupting classes and get quick answers, which can be difficult in a traditional classroom setting. Teachers also do a great job at being accessible outside of classes, and will often allow you to discuss face to face through teleconferencing.
Then there’s the convenience of it. Most online programs will allow you to get your associates in arts much faster than through a regular program. Others will allow you to stretch it out if you have other obligations. And you won’t have to deal with all the extra costs of having to attend campus either. You’ll be able to study, eat, and sleep from home.
Another great benefit of online classes is that you don’t necessarily have to attend a school in your state. You can choose from a much wider number of colleges without the fear of having to relocate to the other end of the country,
Challenging Subjects
If your goal is to enter the job market as soon as you finish your degree, then an associate of arts degree can help you do that too. These programs have a whole host of different elective courses that you can choose from. Some of them include:
- Psychology
- Leadership
- Accounting
- Healthcare management
- Business management
These courses could give you a solid foundation that will allow you to get a position in a related field fast. And with your understanding of various liberal arts disciplines, you’ll have a different approach that could give you the opportunity to work in fields, like human resources for instance. This will also make you a prime candidate for managerial positions.
So, if you were still on the fence about getting an online associate of arts, we hope we were able to help you with your decision. Make sure that you talk with a counselor as soon as you can, and see if it would be a good option for you.
