An associate’s degree is a type of academic degree awarded by community colleges, technical colleges, and some four-year colleges and universities. It is a two-year program that provides students with the basic knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career or continue their education in a specific field. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of an associate’s degree, its origin, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences.
Definitions
An associate’s degree is a degree awarded by a community college, technical college, or some four-year colleges and universities after a two-year program of study. It is a post-secondary degree that provides students with the basic knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career or continue their education in a specific field.
Origin
The associate’s degree was first introduced in the United States in the early 20th century as a way to provide students with vocational training and prepare them for the workforce. The first associate’s degree was awarded in 1900 by Joliet Junior College in Illinois.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to Merriam-Webster, an associate’s degree is “a two-year degree conferred by a community college, university, or vocational school after completion of a program of study equivalent to that of the first two years of a four-year college or university.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines an associate’s degree as “a degree awarded by a community college, technical college, or some four-year colleges and universities after a two-year program of study.”
Associations
An associate’s degree is often associated with community colleges and technical colleges, as they are the primary institutions that offer this type of degree. It is also associated with vocational training and workforce development, as it provides students with the basic knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career in a specific field.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for an associate’s degree include:
- Two-year degree.
- Junior college degree.
- Vocational degree.
- Technical degree.
- Community college degree.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for an associate’s degree, but some possible opposites include:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Master’s degree.
- Doctorate degree.
The same root words
The root words of associate’s degree are “associate” and “degree.” “Associate” means to join or connect with something, while “degree” refers to an academic qualification awarded by a college or university.
Example Sentences
- After completing her associate’s degree in nursing, Sarah was able to start her career as a registered nurse.
- John decided to pursue an associate’s degree in computer science to gain the skills needed for a career in software development.
- Many community colleges offer associate’s degrees in business administration, which can lead to a variety of career opportunities.
- The associate’s degree program at the technical college provided students with hands-on training in welding and fabrication.
- Maria decided to continue her education after earning her associate’s degree and enrolled in a four-year college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology.