A student works in the lab at the Institute of Applied Agriculture at the University of Maryland, College Park.
As the demand for associate degrees has increased, four-year institutions have joined community colleges and technical schools in offering Associate of Science and Associate of Arts degrees in a variety of disciplines. Dr. Regina Smick-Attisano, an associate professor and executive director of the Thompson School of Applied Science at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), is an advocate for associate degrees being offered by four-year institutions. She says it’s an underpublicized opportunity for many students.
“It began with agricultural programs at land-grant institutions,” she explains. “At the University of New Hampshire we offer more than agricultural programs.” Smick-Attisano says the Thompson School offers programs including civil engineering, culinary arts and nutrition, and small business management. “If you want to start your own business, you don’t necessarily need a business degree in accounting; you need a degree in how to get your business off the ground,” she says.
The list of associate degrees at UNH-Manchester, according to the university’s website, includes A.S. degrees in biological sciences and business administration and an A.A. degree in general studies.
In high demand
The NCES reports that, in 2011-12, about 1 million associate degrees were awarded by postsecondary institutions, an increase of 8 percent from the previous year. Most of the degrees were in the categories of liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities; health professions; and business, management, marketing and related areas.
However, the statistics show that the demand has increased in newer disciplines such as homeland security and ever-popular majors such as law enforcement and nursing. As a result, four-year institutions, including some flagship universities, have joined community colleges and technical schools in offering associate degrees well beyond agricultural sciences.
