| More than half of high school graduates in | | | | While the health care field illustrates the |
| the United States go on to earn at least a | | | | many career opportunities waiting for the |
| two-year college degree. According to data | | | | holder of an Associate Degree, it is by no |
| released by the U.S. Department of Education, | | | | means the only career field where graduates |
| holders of a two-year college degree have | | | | can anticipate earning above-average |
| lifetime earnings that outstrip those of a | | | | salaries. Depending on the kind of degree |
| typical high school graduate by over 250,000 | | | | they earn there are two basic kinds of |
| dollars. Figures like these support the | | | | Associate Degree with specific degrees |
| conclusion that not everyone hungry for a | | | | ranging from the Associate in Nursing degree |
| college degree needs to sign up for a | | | | to the Associate in Physical Therapy degree |
| four-year course of study at a college or | | | | grads can find jobs in many high-paid |
| university. High school grads can earn a | | | | professions. Job titles may include medical |
| two-year Associate Degree from their local | | | | laboratory technician, hotel or restaurant |
| community college, junior college, technical | | | | manager, heating, air-conditioning and |
| school or online university. | | | | refrigeration technician, water-treatment |
| | | | plant operator or physical therapy assistant. |
| According to experts, the Associate Degree | | | | |
| makes good sense for those savvy enough to | | | | In addition to the prospect for a respected |
| leverage the three-tiered pay hierarchy now | | | | career path with a well-paid job, there are |
| common in many career fields. In this model, | | | | excellent secondary reasons to choose a |
| different levels of education are required to | | | | two-year course of study. Generally, high |
| perform jobs with different levels of | | | | school grads can earn their diploma locally |
| specialization. Within almost any career | | | | at a nearby community college, junior college |
| field, prospective job applicants will find | | | | or technical school. Along with saving on |
| jobs requiring a multi-year graduate degree, | | | | living expenses, they also reap the benefits |
| a four-year Bachelors degree, or in many | | | | of the generally lower tuition fees at |
| cases just two years of specialized training | | | | community colleges or local technical |
| culminating in an Associate Degree. | | | | schools. |
| | | | |
| One excellent example is the medical or | | | | For students who want to continue to work |
| health-care field. Top earners in this field | | | | their existing job and earn their Associate |
| doctors and pharmacists, for example all | | | | Degree part-time, distance learning may be an |
| must complete more than four years of college | | | | alternate plan worth taking a look at |
| or university work. Those holding second tier | | | | especially for working adults. Dozens of the |
| jobs in the health care sector a physical | | | | country's top online universities offer |
| therapist or recreation administrator in a | | | | two-year degree programs along side their |
| nursing home or hospital must have completed | | | | classic four-year Bachelor Degrees. The |
| a four-year college degree. But high school | | | | nations biggest online university, the |
| grads who invest just two years to earn their | | | | University of Phoenix Online, is one place to |
| Associate Degree will also find an ample | | | | start exploring this alternative. The UOP |
| supply of well-paid third level job | | | | offers several Associate Degree programs |
| opportunities in the medical and health-care | | | | through its sister organization, Axia College |
| job market. Job examples include medical | | | | of University of Phoenix. Take a look at the |
| records technician, physical therapy | | | | resource box that follows this article for |
| assistant or radiologic technologist. | | | | links to websites that will help you find |
| | | | more information about this topic. |