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How to Use Your Associate Degree Toward a Bachelor's Education

Associate degrees are usually earned at junior or community colleges, but though you may have earned a two-year degree, you can continue your education and apply your associate degree toward a bachelor's education, depending on the requirements of the school to which you are applying. Your education does not have to stop with an associate degree. In fact, the degree may serve as an opportunity and stepping stone into obtaining a four-year degree and even moving on to a Master's or other post-secondary degree.

Instructions

- 1
  Plan out your degree in advance. Early on, make sure your credits and degree will transfer, to avoid having to retake classes.
- 2
  Work toward a target school. If just starting at a 2-year institution, meet with an adviser at the 4-year institution to see what classes the four-year university requires and will accept.
- 3
  Ensure your community or junior college is regionally accredited. Without regional accreditation, your credits may not be accepted or considered by your 4-year institution.
- 4
  See if your state has any transfer policies. They may have prearranged deals where certain associate degrees transfer smoothly and evenly.
- 5
  Choose associate degree programs and classes designed to transfer toward a bachelor's degree. Some of these programs and classes are labeled as college transfer or similar designation.

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