Why Choose an Online Associate Degree
There is no doubt that a solid education is essential to launching and building a solid and fulfilling career. However, whether you are planning your very first foray into your career or are interested in a career change, fitting that education into an already busy life can be quite a challenge. For that reason and others, a growing number of career-minded people are turning to the virtual classroom to get their education. Here we will outline some of the most important advantages of choosing an online associate degree as compared to the traditional, on-campus classroom experience.
Many students who are working to further their education to kick start a new career or advance an existing one choose an associate degree as a means of fast-tracking their career goals. Earning an associate degree offers a solid, college-level education – and the credentials to show for it – within 2 years for the full-time student. This allows students to begin establishing themselves in their chosen fields in half the time it would take to earn a bachelor degree.
If you are one of them, choosing an online associate degree program adds even more speed and efficiency to the process by giving you the opportunity to study in a virtual classroom, rather than reporting to an on-campus class. Studying in the virtual classroom can be done at any time of day or night and from the comfort of your own home, from work, or anywhere else that has an internet connection. That cuts out many time-consuming hassles that come with on-campus study. You won't have to spend time driving to campus, finding a parking spot, walking to class, then repeating those steps in reverse. Less time wasted on commuting and other distractions frees more time to devote to your studies every day.
Additionally, since working online makes learning a more efficient process, enabling students to move through coursework more quickly, online associate degree programs are scheduled differently. By offering more semesters per year than campus-based programs can, online degree programs can help students significantly reduce the time it takes to earn an associate degree -- without compromising the quality of their education.
For many students who earn an associate degree with an eye towards establishing themselves quickly, that degree is just the first step. They also have an eye on the long-term, intending to continue on with their education to create opportunities to climb the career ladder. If this is your plan, and you intend move on to a 4-year degree once your career is launched, studying with Bryant & Stratton College online means that courses and credits from your associate-level education can be seamlessly transferred to related bachelor-level programs, giving you a head start on that next step in your career path.
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The Bryant & Stratton College Business Associate Degree helps students gain a solid foundation for a career in a variety of professional fields. Areas of study include business communications, sales, marketing, accounting, business law, management principles and information technology, among others. The primary goal of this online associate degree program is to provide a broad business background to students, ensuring that they are well-versed in the skills they need to succeed in the business world. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in many employment settings and industries, such as corporations, financial institutions, manufacturing establishments, real estate firms and insurance companies, to name just a few potential career opportunities. Students who graduate with their associate degree through this program can apply credits earned to the Bachelor degree in General Management program, as well as several other degree programs at Bryant & Stratton College. This is a 60-credit program.
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This associate degree program prepares students for career opportunities within the financial services field. Students will gain a foundation of knowledge and experience in the products and concepts used in the financial services field, including financial management, insurance principles and financial instruments. They will also develop the skills necessary to function effectively in various roles in the field, such as customer service, analysis and generation of reports, as well as other financial processing positions, at savings and loan establishments, mortgage companies, financial planning firms or insurance agencies, for instance. This program also places an emphasis on teaching vital elements of business law and ethical standards to ensure that graduates have a solid working knowledge of legal regulations that govern the financial services industry. This is a 60-credit program.
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This degree program prepares students to fill key roles necessary to virtually all businesses: Human resources (HR) positions. Examples of positions that graduates are qualified to pursue include managing recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits and payroll, among many other HR generalist positions. Those positions may be in many different professional settings, such as business, finance or manufacturing, to name just a few. Students will be educated in local, state and federal employment laws and regulations and gain a thorough understanding of ethical practices. They will learn the primary functions of human resources in organizations and how to apply those functions in the workplace. Graduates will be skilled in the use of information technology specific to human resources, and develop an understanding of economic issues relevant to HR professionals. They will also gain a solid foundation in business and administrative skills to ensure they are well-equipped to function effectively and efficiently in the modern business environment. This is a 60-credit program.
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Graduating from this online associate degree program means being well-prepared to take the first step towards building a career in the hospitality industry. This 60-credit program is designed to help students develop a solid foundation in key aspects of hospitality management, teaching fundamental hospitality practices and principles along with courses in human resources, sales, marketing and finance. The goal is to prepare graduates for success in roles associated with the hospitality industry, working in hotels, sports venues, travel and tourism organizations, casinos or the food and beverage industry, among other possibilities. This is a 60-credit program.
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This associate-level online degree program combines an education in business management with a specialized focus on the hospitality industry. This dual focus provides students with a strong background in business principles, concepts, legalities and ethics, as well as a strong foundation in marketing principles, operations, hospitality, services management, events planning and management, communications, human resources and even workplace mathematics. The goal is to prepare students to pursue key roles in the hospitality industry, including positions of responsibility in hotels, restaurants, casinos, convention centers, travel agencies, tourist attractions, and within the food and beverage industry, to name just a few potential career opportunities. This program works to enable students to launch a career in the hospitality field and provide a solid foundation for students who plan to pursue additional educational opportunities in hospitality and/or management. This is a 60-credit program.
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The primary goal of this online associate degree program is to teach students the skills necessary to operate in the modern, fast-paced office environment. Students of this program will get an understanding of the roles of administrative assistants and the skills they use every day in their professional capacity. They will gain knowledge and experience in skills like mobile computing, electronic correspondence, and virtual and wireless technology. They will have the ability to use current technology to connect and coordinate with workers in remote locations. They will also develop a solid foundation of organizational, clerical, administrative, communication and interpersonal skills. These and other aspects of this associate-level program work to ensure that graduates are prepared to become the highly-skilled, tech-savvy and well-rounded professionals that are in demand for administrative, clerical and other front-office roles throughout a wide variety of industries and fields today. This is a 60-credit program.
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Earning an online associate degree in accounting with Bryant & Stratton College offers students the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills they need to help meet the increasing demand for well-trained accountants. Students enrolled in this program will learn the key processes and functions essential to a variety of accounting roles, including bookkeeping, budget analysis, tax preparation and payroll. They will learn generally accepted accounting principles (GAAPS) for various accounting systems. They will gain the ability to use information technology to generate and analyze financial data, analyze and prepare budgets and other financial information, maintain records and other vital accounting tasks. These and other components of the AAS Accounting program work to prepare students to launch a career in accounting by becoming qualified to pursue entry-level positions with accounting firms, retail establishments, manufacturing firms, government agencies, among many other possible employment settings. This is a 60-credit program.
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This online associate degree program offers students what they need to become successful marketing professionals in this highly competitive field: A solid understanding of several mediums to effectively reach and engage a targeted audience. Key marketing skills covered in this program include social media and search engine optimization. Students will learn to use various social media pathways to reach customers and create brand ambassadors, as well as other key techniques and branding practices. They will learn how to analyze web data along with other essential website-focused skills. They will be taught a wide range of practices and strategies to grow brands through several channels. They will gain the ability to design and implement digital marketing campaigns, enhance brand visibility and accessibility, build and maintain website traffic, analyze consumer digital behavior, and evaluate marketing campaign results, among many other skills and practices vital to success as a digital marketing professional. This is a 60-credit program.
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This associate-level degree program prepares students to take advantage of the growing number of career opportunities on the business and administrative side of the healthcare industry. This program provides students with the educational background and skillsets necessary to launch their careers by pursuing entry-level positions throughout the healthcare industry. This includes a foundation in the knowledge and skills they will need to handle business and administrative duties common to those positions, such as controlling finances and payroll, hiring and management of staff, administrative coordination and much more. Students will complete healthcare-specific courses as they earn their degree, learn ethical and legal communication techniques specific to health and human services industries, gain a strong understanding of basic business management skills and much more. The end goal is to ensure that students are well-rounded, highly skilled and job-ready upon graduation from the program. This is a 60-credit program.
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Our courses are taught by faculty with a graduate degree or higher and distinctions for their research and expertise in the subjects they teach. They follow the same curricula, standards and accreditation as our courses on campus. Our faculty strive to create an academic environment that helps you build connections between everything you learn in class and what you will actually be doing and experiencing on the job. It’s as close to real-world simulation as you can get. You’ll also be challenged to think in new, creative ways and to reflect upon your performance and articulate your progress – depening your understanding.
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Students who enroll in this online associate degree program gain the skills they need to handle front-end administrative duties or medical billing in medical offices. This program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation of business and administrative skills specifically found in medical offices. Students also gain a strong foundation in the key skills and practices needed for efficient and effective medical billing. Upon graduation, students will have gained the ability to manage and process healthcare information and organize and design communication procedures according to medical, legal and ethical standards. They will be prepared to perform coding, billing, records management, transcription and scheduling tasks, among other administrative duties, in compliance with industry standards. Graduates will also be prepared to sit for the Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist certification exam. This is a 60-credit program.
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Students who earn an online associate degree via the Bryant and Stratton College AAS Human & Social Services program will be prepared to launch and build a career in a variety of areas within the human and social services field. As part of that preparation, students will develop an ability to address and treat the always evolving needs of the patients and clients they will encounter in the course of their duties. They will also be educated in the ethical and legal procedures within the field, ensuring a solid understanding in industry standards, regulations and procedures. Examples of positions that graduates will be well-qualified to pursue with this degree include crisis intervention and case management positions, as well as jobs as social and human services assistants. This is a 60-credit program.
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Earning an online associate degree in Criminal Justice Studies from Bryant & Stratton College provides students with the educational background, practical knowledge and skillset to pursue several career opportunities in the criminal justice field. Students will gain a solid understanding of US court systems, law enforcement agencies, corrections institutions, and public and private security organizations. This program also places a strong emphasis on educating students in the technology used in the criminal justice field, as well as providing them with a balance of theory and practice to ensure a well-rounded and effective learning experience. Graduates will be prepared to work with the tools used in crime scene investigations and digital crimes investigations. Graduates are qualified to pursue employment at the local, state or federal level in law enforcement, corrections, security, and juvenile justice systems, among other areas within the criminal justice field. This is a 60-credit program.
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An online associate degree in paralegal studies prepares students to become valuable members of legal teams, assisting lawyers in preparing cases and interacting with clients. The paralegal studies program is designed to provide students with the foundation of knowledge and skills necessary to excel in those roles. As they work towards their degrees, students will gain experience in preparing legal documents and correspondence, conducting research and using information technology specific to the legal profession. They will learn the key aspects of the legal process, gain a solid working knowledge of legal terminology, and become skilled in reading, analyzing and interpreting legal documents, case law and statutory law. These and other aspects of the paralegal studies program will help to ensure that graduates are well-prepared to pursue career opportunities in the legal field, such as positions in law firms, government agencies, civil service employers, real estate companies and other corporations, among many other potential employment opportunities. This is a 60-credit program.
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Information Technology (IT) is a fast-growing field, and Bryant & Stratton's networking technology associate degree program prepares students to play a vital role in that field. This program prepares students with the knowledge and practical skills they need to become networking professionals. Such professionals are in demand in virtually all employment settings, including education, business, manufacturing, government agencies, to name just a few. As they earn their degree, students will learn the skills needed to install, configure, secure, administer and troubleshoot network systems. They will also gain an understanding of networking components, as well as experience working with voice and data networks. Overall, students can expect a diverse and well-rounded education on both the theory and the practical, hands-on practices used by modern IT professionals. Graduates will be well-prepared by this program to take any or all of three highly-regarded certification exams to increase their credentials and career potential; The CompTIA A+, Security+ and Network+ exams. This is a 60-credit program.
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The AAS Early Childhood Education program, previously only offered on campus, is now available to students who prefer an online degree program in the virtual classroom. This program provides students with a foundation in childhood theory, as well as its practical application in educational and childcare settings. Students will develop the ability to plan, implement and assess learning experiences, guide behavior, and communicate and collaborate with families, colleagues and other stakeholders to create a safe and satisfying learning environment for children. Graduates will be qualified to pursue positions in childcare centers, child development programs, Head Start programs, preschools, public education classrooms and early intervention programs, among other employment opportunities. The curriculum employed in this program fulfills the 120-hour educational standard to become eligible for the National Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, which is awarded through the Council for Professional Recognition, and is aligned with National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards. This is a 60-credit program.
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