What Is an Associate of Arts Degree? Requirements, Costs, and More

An Associate of Arts (AA) degree is a two-year associate degree program, often completed online or at a community college, that typically requires 60 credit hours to complete. You can earn your degree in many areas of study, including an associate degree in psychology, business, or music. After earning your AA degree, you can typically enter the workforce or transfer to a bachelor's degree program.

Learn more about what you can study when you enroll in an AA program and what you can do with the degree after graduation.

What is an Associate of Arts degree?

An Associate of Arts degree takes two years to complete when you can attend full-time and pertains to subjects in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

Your program will likely include taking many courses you would typically take during the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program. Coursework normally includes up to 40 hours of general education courses plus 20 hours of electives. For this reason, you can typically use an accredited AA degree to transfer to a four-year university when you're ready to earn a bachelor's degree.

AA degree vs. AS vs. AAS: What's the difference?

The main difference between an AA and an Associate of Science (AS) lies in the major you declare. An AA degree is for learners pursuing a job or bachelor's degree in liberal arts, humanities, business, or social sciences.

AS degrees, on the other hand, focus more on science, mathematics, and engineering and include majors such as architecture, accounting, engineering, and paralegal studies.

An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) focuses on a specific career, such as web designer, paralegal, radiologic technician, or mechanic. Students usually earn one when they intend to enter the workforce rather than pursue a bachelor's degree.

What can you study in an Associate of Arts degree program?

You may earn an AA degree when you opt to study a subject in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. You can also choose a general studies degree, which may help keep your options open before transferring to a bachelor's program.

Discover AA degrees in a variety of topics, including:

• Art history

• Business

• Communication

• Criminal justice

• Early childhood education

• Economics

• History

• Journalism

• Literature

• Music

• Political science

• Psychology

• Public health

• Sociology

• Studio art

• Theater

You can tailor your AA program to your interests and career goals because it typically consists of three types of courses: general education, subject-specific, and electives. After taking foundational coursework, such as writing and math, you'll take a handful of courses in the subject you're interested in focusing on and some electives to help you diversify your competencies or explore new interests. 

If you plan to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program later, it's important to choose a subject you can major in at university. Spend time thinking about choosing a major, and review the requirements for your intended major at the university you plan to attend.  

What is an associate degree in psychology?

An associate degree in psychology is a two-year degree that builds your foundational knowledge in the field. You’ll complete general education courses as well as introductory psychology courses, such as social psychology, research methods, and developmental psychology. This program may help you prepare to earn a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Why earn an Associate of Arts degree?

You may choose to earn an AA degree for several reasons, including the following:

• To save money: Community college tuition tends to cost less than at public or private four-year universities. Completing some of your general education coursework as part of an associate program could be a good way to save as you work toward your degree.

• To increase earning potential: Earning an AA degree can be an investment in your financial future. You are likely to make more over your lifetime if you have an associate degree rather than having no college education. On average, someone with an associate degree earns $1,058 per week, compared to $899 per week for those without a college education [1]. 

• To explore possible majors: An Associate of Arts degree is also a good option if you're still deciding what career you want to pursue or what field to study. You can move forward with your education without committing to a full major. When you decide on a major, the credits you earn in the AA program may transfer as credits toward a bachelor's degree. Sometimes, you may complete your bachelor's degree by taking just two additional years of coursework. Some schools offer programs that allow students with associate degrees to immediately enter upper-level courses upon transferring.

• To qualify for a job that does not require a bachelor's degree: You may decide that a bachelor’s degree is unnecessary to reach your career goals. Entry-level jobs in many fields, including occupational therapy assistants, medical assistants, and service technicians, only require an associate degree.

• To boost your grade point average (GPA): If your high school GPA isn't where you'd like it to be to qualify for your target universities, take advantage of small class sizes and other support services typically offered at community colleges to improve it. Learn more about college GPAs.

Associate degrees with articulation agreements

Some schools have articulation agreements to make it easier for you to transfer credits from an associate degree to a four-year university. Articulation agreements are arrangements between two schools that specify which courses from one school can count toward degree requirements at the other institution. For example, some states require state universities to accept credits from associate degrees earned within that state's college system.

What jobs can I get with an Associate of Arts degree?

Career options for AA graduates include entry-level and supervisory positions in art, construction, web design, and more. Although many AA degree holders go on to pursue a four-year bachelor's degree, some enter the workforce directly afterward. In some cases, they gain some job experience before working on a bachelor's degree to increase their salary or seek a different position.

With an AA degree, you may be able to get any number of entry-level positions, including:

• Marketing assistant

• Police officer

• Theater technician

• Studio artist

• Communication specialist

• Teaching assistant

Learn more: 10 High-Paying Jobs You Can Get with an Associate Degree

Get job-ready with a degree or Professional Certificate.

An Associate of Arts degree may help you prepare for your career or set you up for success in a bachelor’s degree program. Whatever career you decide is right for your future, consider a Professional Certificate as a way to get job-ready with the skills companies are hiring for. Are you curious how a degree could further expand your career opportunities? Explore the range of bachelor’s degrees from top universities available on Coursera.