If you are interested in furthering your education, but you don’t want to spend the next four years in school, you might consider an associate’s degree program. You can save even more time and money by completing an online degree program, which means you don’t have to pay for university housing and you can complete your coursework at your own pace.
But what associate’s online degree programs are best? Where will you make the most money? Following are five of the best associate’s degree programs in terms of potential salary and job security.
Health Care Administration
Everyone needs a doctor from time to time, and the health care industry is one of the most stable. Consider an associates degree program in health care administration. You won’t be a doctor and you probably won’t earn as much as the physicians you work with, but the pay is decent and the security is high.
According to DegreeDirectory.com, an associate’s degree program in health care administration might include classes such as Introduction to Health care Management, Health Care Legal Issues, Health Care Ethical issues and standard courses in accounting, legal and business. You should have good administrative skills and you should be willing to work closely with doctors and nurses.
Health care professionals are needed to heal the sick, while police officers and other law enforcement personnel are needed to protect the innocent. An online degree program in criminal justice will give you the tools you need to excel in law enforcement, from administrative duties to preparation for the police academy.
Online degree programs in criminal justice will include courses in forensics, technology, criminology, criminal law, ethics and juvenile justice, and according to AllCriminalJusticeSchools.com, the technological and forensics aspects of criminology are progressing the fastest.
Paralegal Studies
If you are interested in law but don’t want to deal directly with criminals, you might consider an associate’s degree program in paralegal studies. This will prepare you for careers related to law without having to go to law school, and you can always advance your studies later on if you desire.
An online degree program in paralegal studies will allow you to learn about tort law, business law, legal ethics, litigation, trial practice and a host of other subjects. There are also usually courses in psychology, criminology and English involved, as well.
Technology is the buzzword in today’s corporate culture, and there are hundreds of career possibilities for students who pursue an associate’s degree program in information technology. You can enter the workforce faster than other professionals, then use your experience to climb the career ladder if you choose.
An online degree program in information technology will include diverse coursework, from computer forensics to network system administration to visual communication, according to WorldWideLearn.com.
Graphic Design
Whether you want to strike out on your own as a graphic designer or score a position at a major firm, an associate’s degree program in graphic design is great for artists and visionaries who enjoy working with computers. Graphic designers are needed in all industries and at all times, so job security is high.
When you pursue online degree programs in graphic design, you’ll learn about color theory, typography, digital imaging and a host of other subjects, according to DegreeDirectory.com.
There are lots of different associate’s degree programs that allow you to earn an online degree in a matter of months. You can set the pace for your education and determine where and when you take classes. This might be the opportunity you’ve been searching for.
Sources:
DegreeDirectory.com, Health Care Administration Associate’s Degree
AllCriminalJusticeSchools.com, Criminal Justice Careers
WorldWideLearn.com, Online Associate Degrees in Information Technology
DegreeDirectory.com, Graphic Design Associate’s Degree Programs
