Climb the educational ladder – without starting over
Build on your associate and pursue your bachelor’s

Earning an associate degree is a smart move. You can develop new skills and set the stage for completing a bachelor’s degree faster – and for less money – than starting from scratch.
 
While an associate degree can offer a foundational education, you might have noticed that professional job postings often look for a bachelor’s degree.

“Pursuing your bachelor’s degree is an investment in you,” says Ben Luce, senior dean of the School of Business at Strayer University.

“The relevant concepts gained in a bachelor’s program can help you develop the skills you need to grow personally and pursue career opportunities along the way.”

 

Your bachelor’s may take less time than you think – and cost less, too

Whatever your inspiration for pursuing higher education, you’ll be happy to know you’re not going back to square one now that you’ve earned an associate degree. Typically, you can apply all or some of your associate-level courses toward your bachelor’s degree, saving time and money.

“At Strayer, we want to make the educational journey for our students one that makes sense and allows our students the option to progress from one degree to the next,” explains Heather Skinner, senior director of admissions at Strayer University.

“Associate-level courses often provide the foundational building blocks of a bachelor’s degree program, imparting essential skills and knowledge that prepare students for advanced study. This is why many universities like Strayer build associate courses directly into bachelor’s degree programs.”

 

Four steps to help turn your associate degree into a bachelor’s

Follow this guide to start your transfer journey with confidence.

1.      Choose a program that builds on your associate degree. Look for a bachelor’s program that continues your field of study and aligns with your professional goals.

2.      Check out transfer credit policies. Many schools have easy-to-use online tools to help you estimate transfer credits. Transference of college credits can depend on many factors including course relevance, school accreditation and type of associate degree.

3.      Contact admissions counselors. Reaching out to other institutions can help you find the best program fit and get insights into how your credits will apply.

4.      Submit your transcripts for review. Once you apply, the registrar’s office will conduct an official transcript evaluation to determine exactly which credits will transfer.

 

Why take the associate-to-bachelor’s route?

Beginning with an associate degree can be a more flexible and affordable way to reach your goals – whether you’re balancing work and study, easing into higher education or trying to save on tuition costs.

“Pursuing an associate degree while working toward a bachelor’s can be a smart and strategic choice for students,” notes Skinner. “It allows you to build valuable skills and knowledge that may open doors to potential employment opportunities.

“Earning an associate degree also provides a meaningful milestone – a tangible achievement that can boost motivation and reinforce your commitment to reaching your ultimate goal: a bachelor’s degree.”

By starting with an associate degree, you can:

• Explore different fields of study before committing to a specific major
• Pursue career opportunities in your field of interest, gaining work experience and earning income while earning your next degree
• Develop core academic skills to help you succeed in upper-level courses

 

Is a bachelor’s degree worth the investment?

Earning your bachelor’s is a commitment of both time and money. Only you can decide if a bachelor’s degree aligns with your career aspirations.
But many professionals find that it helps them pursue their goals:

• Career opportunities: A bachelor’s can help prepare you for management and leadership roles.
• Preparation for specialized jobs: Many fields require the in-depth knowledge and skills a bachelor’s or advanced degree provides.
• Development of transferable skills: Soft skills like critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration are applicable across all fields of work.