Schools like the Art Institute Online and Grantham University offer nonsynchronous (unscheduled) Associate of Arts degrees with concentrations in areas like graphic design, Web development, multimedia communication and multidisciplinary studies. Art students can earn their degree as quickly or slowly as they choose and have access to online, telephone and chat room support.
An Associate of Applied Science degree fulfills the purpose of preparing students for careers in engineering technology and business. Accelerated learning tracks in the form of associate degrees are available to students from schools such as Baker College Online and Columbia Southern University. Computer programming, accounting, computer information systems, marketing and management are just a few of the concentrations available to students interested in an AAS degree.
Associate of Science degrees are useful for preparing students in fields such as engineering and aviation. Schools like Penn Foster College have accelerated associate degree programs with concentrations in electronic instrumentation and controls, linear and digital integrated circuits, and electrical engineering.
An occupational or "applied" degree is essentially the same amount of work, time and money investment as an associate degree, but does not offer students the ability to transfer their credits to another school. This is a disadvantage for students looking to earn their bachelor's degree after earning their associate degree; however, those only interested in entering the workforce quickly in a specialized field will have no qualms with this option. Occupational degree options include dental hygiene, emergency medical services and social work.