An Associate’s Degree Versus a Diploma

When looking for the top online associates degrees, you may also come across opportunities to earn diplomas.

Here we’ll talk about associate’s degrees versus diplomas and how they can help you. We’ll also discuss some of the best places you may find programs in your chosen field.

What Is an Associate’s Degree?

An associate’s degree is earned through programs offered at community, junior, and technical colleges. They typically take 2 years to complete, though you may take more or less time to earn your degree.

The two main types of associate’s degrees are Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS). Pursuing an associate degree can help prepare you for the next step in your education (usually a bachelor’s degree) or for the start of your career.

Associate degrees are at the undergraduate level, and undergraduate degrees may be prerequisites for graduate school. That said, there are many careers that don’t typically require a master’s or doctorate degree, and some don’t even require a bachelor’s.

What Is a Diploma?

A diploma program is typically a short-term educational program that focuses on specific skills or knowledge in a particular field. Common types of diploma programs include:

• Vocational or technical diplomas: These programs provide hands-on training in a specific trade or skill, such as welding, automotive repair, or culinary arts.
• Business and management diplomas: These programs offer business-related courses and offer preparation for entry-level positions in areas like marketing, accounting, or office administration.
• Healthcare diplomas: These programs train students for roles in healthcare, such as medical assisting, pharmacy technology, or dental hygiene.
• Information technology (IT) diplomas: IT diploma programs focus on computer-related skills, such as network administration, software development, or cybersecurity.
• Creative arts diplomas: These programs cover fields like graphic design, photography, or fashion design, providing skills for careers in the arts and design industries.
• Language and education diplomas: These programs may include TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) diplomas or language proficiency diplomas.
• Legal and paralegal diplomas: These programs prepare students for roles in the legal field, such as paralegals or legal assistants.
• Environmental and sustainability diplomas: These programs focus on environmental science, conservation, or sustainability practices.
• Culinary diplomas: Culinary arts programs provide training for aspiring chefs and culinary professionals.
• Diplomas in social services: These programs may lead to careers in counseling, social work, or community services.

Diploma programs are typically shorter in duration compared to associate degree programs, making them a popular choice for those who want to acquire specific skills and enter the workforce quickly. The specific types of diploma programs available vary by region and educational institution.

So, What’s the Difference?

Associate’s degrees often include courses on a wide variety of topics, even when they’re all in the same subject. On the other hand, diplomas offer more specific training and education.

Diploma programs also tend to require fewer classes than an associate’s degree. In an associate’s degree program, you may wind up taking courses that are unrelated to your chosen field. These are often called general education courses or prerequisites.

Diploma programs typically don’t include these additional courses and are more hands-on than classroom-based.

Which One Is Right for Me?

Before choosing a path to go down, it’s a good idea to compare the prices of associate’s degrees and diploma programs to see which will be the most cost-effective for you.

If you’re looking to save money or enter a technical field, a diploma may be the way to go. Diploma programs tend to be less expensive than associate’s degrees.

What about continuing your education?

While both diploma programs and associate degree programs can prepare you for a career and are considered academic, diplomas are not college degrees, unlike associate degrees. If you’re hoping to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree, you may want to start with your associate degree.

You might not be able to transfer credits from a diploma into a bachelor’s degree program. This can cost you money and time in the long run.

It is very likely that you’ll be able to transfer credits from your associate’s program over to a bachelor’s program as long as it is from an accredited school.

Where Can I Find Associate and Diploma Programs?

MyCollegeGuide is here to help you find the best associate’s degree or diploma program for you. Using our “My Degree Finder” tool, you can narrow down your options based on different criteria, like the type of education you want and the field you want to pursue.

For more tips, including the difference between a certificate versus an associate’s degree, you can check out our other articles!