Online Associate's Degrees: How Does an Associate's Degree Online Work?

You would like to earn an online associate's degree? Learn more about choosing an online associate degree program, and find out what classes are like here.

What is an online associate's degree?
An associate's degree usually consists of 60 credits earned over the course of 2 years at a community college or technical or trade school. These credits can then be used to transfer to a 4-year institution, and be counted towards a bachelor's degree (which takes 120 credits to earn). The same number of credits is earned in an online degree program, and these credits, too, can be used to transfer to a bachelor's program. The main difference between an online degree program and one at a brick and mortar community college is that you will not have to live near the college - you will be able to 'attend' from home, work, or anywhere else you are able to access the internet.
Choosing a degree program
While students enrolled at a traditional community college or trade school may often experiment with different courses before deciding upon a course of study, it is more usual for the online associate's degree student to choose a particular program of study before enrolling in an online school.
How are classes scheduled?
Most classes are still scheduled to 'meet' at particular times - everyone will sit down at their computer at the same time, say, every Monday and Wednesday from 7-9 PM (most classes are scheduled at night for the convenience of the working student). There may, however, be some classes that you can take at any time by downloading that week's 'lecture' in the form of notes, a PowerPoint, or video. Community colleges were actually offering 'virtual' classes long before many mainstream universities in the form of classes offered on TV - you would watch each week's class on the public access channel (and these classes were often broadcast at several different times in the week, or you could always record the program and watch it at your convenience), then send in completed homework assignments and tests by mail.
How do classes communicate?
You will use email to communicate with your instructors and fellow students in your program. You might also communicate at pre-arranged times in chat rooms or by instant messaging so the whole class can participate in a discussion. Another type of technology you might use is something called a 'whiteboard' - the instructor can use special pens to draw on a whiteboard in a classroom, and you will be able to see this drawing right on your computer screen.