An associate degree is typically granted for completion of two years of higher education. Associate degrees are often granted by community colleges, technical schools and junior colleges. A thesis is usually the culmination of a rigorous education, and because of the relatively short time span of an associate degree, a thesis is rarely part of the program requirements.
A Bachelor of Arts degree is one of two degrees most often granted by a college or university. Certain honors or distinctions may also be granted in conjunction with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and these may require a thesis, though this depends on the specific school. The typical Bachelor of Arts degree, however, does not require a thesis as part of the program requirements.
A professional degree is similar in nature to a master's, in that for most professional degree programs you have to have an undergraduate degree of some kind. Unlike many master's degree programs, though, a thesis is not often required of students enrolled in a professional degree program. A Master's of Business Administration is one example of such a degree. The qualifications necessary to become a teacher can also often be obtained with a professional degree.
A Bachelor of Sciences is another of the most common degrees granted by colleges and universities to undergraduate students. Students wanting a Bachelor of Sciences degree with certain honors or distinctions may also have to complete a thesis, depending on the requirements of the program specific to the school. For the typical Bachelor of Sciences degree program, however, a thesis will not be required.