Associate Degree Programs
An associate degree from DeVry University can help you acquire the skills you need to pursue an exciting new career. Take advantage of our tech-forward curriculum, dedicated faculty and focus on hands-on, experiential learning.
You can choose to earn your associate degree online, take courses on campus or online, study part-time or attend full-time to earn your degree. Whatever you choose, an associate degree from DeVry can help you discover new passions and build relevant career skills that can help you pursue your goals.
Explore Featured Associate Degree Programs
Discover Onsite and Online Associate Degree Programs
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Degree Level
Associate Degrees
Area of Study
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Technology
Technology
Availability
100% Online
Onsite + Online
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Business
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Healthcare
Healthcare
Availability
100% Online
Onsite + Online
Classes Start Every 8 Weeks
Whether you know exactly where you're heading, or you're still planning your next steps, it all starts with a simple conversation. Let’s talk.
Demonstrate Skills at Every Step
Our embedded programs allow you to earn credentials that may qualify toward your degree, should you continue your education at DeVry.
*This represents the Medical Billing and Coding Undergraduate Certificate, Associate in Health Information Technology and Bachelor’s in Technical Management with a specialization in Health Information Management. The figures displayed represent the minimum credit hours required for graduation. Additional coursework may be necessary to complete program requirements.
Choose the Right Associate Degree Program for You
At DeVry University we are here to support you as you build career skills in our classes. If you’re not sure where to start, this page can help you find the way to kick start your learning. Below, we've detailed our associate degree programs, the benefits they provide and what they entail. Need help deciding which degree is right for you, or whether a hybrid or online associate degree will work better with your schedule? Contact us and we can help you explore our various associate degree programs and flexible learning options to find the one that's right for you!
An associate degree in business can help you develop the interdisciplinary skills needed to get started in the world of business. Through this degree program you'll explore key concepts related to accounting, marketing, management and data analytics. These concepts are taught through activities that simulate real-world decision-making scenarios.
Four concentrations are available for those who want to pursue an associate degree in business:
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- General Business
- Healthcare Business
- Retail Management
An Associate Degree in Engineering Technology can help you develop the skills needed to apply basic engineering principles to solve technical problems, implement technical solutions and support engineers in the execution and maintenance of systems, processes, and technical operations. DeVry University has a long history of preparing individuals to work in the electronics industry. We give students the opportunity to learn and test some of the latest hardware designs and software technologies.
We offer three specializations for those who wish to get an associate degree in this field:
- Machine Learning and Design Techniques
- Medical Technology and Healthcare Systems
- Renewable Energy and Sustainable Power
Associate Degree in Health Information Technology
Our associate degree in health information technology (HIT) is designed to help you develop the skills needed to manage digital health information and technical systems. In this program, you'll explore the techniques used to ensure the quality, accuracy, accessibility and security of health information in both electronic systems and paper files.
Take the first steps toward an exciting career in IT by enrolling in an information technology and networking associate degree program. In this degree program, you will learn about networking, security, digital devices, programming and operating systems.
We offer three specializations for those who wish to get an associate degree in this field:
- Automation and Electronic Systems
- Information Systems and Programming
- Network Systems Administration
Associate Degree in Network Systems Administration
Develop the skills you need to manage and maintain network and communication technologies with this exciting degree program from DeVry. An associate degree in network systems administration can help you in today's technology driven world. This degree program includes a focus on using network operating systems to manage large and small networks (LANs and WANs) including servers, routers and switches.
Benefits of an Associate Degree
There are many potential benefits of earning an associate degree, which include but are not limited to:
- Greater earnings potential: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graduates of associate degree programs generally enjoy higher average earnings than people with only a high school education.1
- Enhanced skillsets: An associate degree can teach you the skills that employers require today. Many associate degree programs teach highly technical skills that may help set you apart from other job seekers.
- Lower likelihood of unemployment: Graduates of associate degree programs are less likely to be unemployed than someone with only a high school degree.1
- Personal satisfaction: Earning an associate degree can bring a great sense of fulfillment and satisfaction for meeting a personal goal that can help you pursue your career aspirations.
- Serving as a Steppingstone to Further Your Education: An associate degree may cover the fundamental concepts you need to help prepare you for success in your pursuit of your bachelor’s. When part of a stackable program, classes taken in one program can stack directly into the next, so you put all your credit hours to good use.2
Associate Degrees vs. Bachelor's Degrees
Both associate and bachelor’s degrees can be valuable preparation for your future but choosing which one to pursue ultimately depends on your personal goals and circumstances.
A few notable differences between associate and bachelor’s degree programs include:
- Program Length: Associate degrees are generally shorter in length, taking about half as long to complete as a bachelor’s program.
- Coursework & Skills: A bachelor’s curriculum will dive deep into the specifics of your area of study and often also help you improve your leadership abilities. An associate degree tends to provide more general education courses that build your core skillset through hands-on learning.
- Career Potential: Associate degrees are designed to help you prepare for more entry-level jobs, whereas bachelor’s degree graduates may find that they meet the qualifications for a wider range of roles in their area of interest.
If you’re still unsure where to start, don’t fret. Some associate degree programs are stackable – meaning that the credits you earn can be applied directly toward a bachelor’s degree at DeVry should you choose to continue your education.2
Requirements to Get Started with an Associate Degree
An associate degree program is a post-secondary degree. That means you’ll generally need to have a high school degree or its equivalent, such as a GED. Aside from that, requirements depend on the specific degree program you choose to pursue.
To enroll in an associate degree program at DeVry, you must meet our admissions requirements. This include:
- Completing an interview with an Admissions Representative
- Meeting the age requirement
- Having earned a high school diploma or equivalent
- Completing a college-level skills evaluation
Additional requirements may apply depending on the program you choose to pursue, your previous college, military or work experience and other factors.
Associate Degree Trends and the Future
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), earning an associate degree can pay off in the long run. In fact, their 2020 research shows that graduates with an associate degree earned 20% more per week than those with only a high school diploma or GED. In addition, the unemployment rate for those with an associate was nearly two percentage points lower than those with just a high school diploma or GED.
As technology skills become more relevant in roles across all industries, education requirements for many jobs may continue to rise as well. Additional education can help you separate yourself from other applicants.
Regardless of the career you choose to pursue, you’ll likely need to know how to use a handful of applicable programs and tools. For example, accounting professionals will need to know standard budgeting software, whereas medical billing and coding specialists should expect to have a solid understanding of today’s most common billing and coding software. Earning an associate degree is one way that you can get hands-on experience with these technologies as you prepare to pursue your professional goals.
Another trend that puts an increased focus on the value of an associate degree is the concept of stackable degree programs. Stackable programs allow you to earn your credentials in order – from undergraduate certificate to associate to bachelor’s – by applying your qualifying previously earned credits to the next applicable degree program at DeVry.2 This allows you to gain skills and add a credential, such as an associate degree, to your resume as you continue to pursue your academic goals.
Choosing a Program
When it comes to choosing an associate degree program, here are a few things to consider:
- Area of Interest: You might know that you want to pursue a future in technology, but haven't decided which focus you'd like to target. Learning more about the specific facets of the industry can help you hone your studies in the area you’re interested in most – such as information technology or network systems administration.
- Career Opportunities: Take some time to review job openings on sites like LinkedIn. What kind of degree is required for the roles that interest you most? The program you choose should support the career path you ultimately want to take.
- Flexibility: Are you looking for flexible online associate degree programs? Year-round classes? The ability to study at your own pace? Different schools offer different learning options, so be sure to weigh your priorities when determining which program to choose.
- Stackability: After completing your associate degree program, you might plan to continue working toward a bachelor’s degree. If this sounds like you, look for a program that stacks. You may be able to take the credits you’ve previously earned at DeVry and apply them toward a bachelor’s degree, furthering the value of your hard work.
Once you have an idea of which program area fits your interests, click the following link to explore the courses and programs offered at DeVry.
FAQs: Associate Degrees
What is an associate degree?
An associate degree is a post-secondary undergraduate degree that typically takes between one and two years to complete. It represents the first level of post-secondary degree options and is followed by a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree. An associate degree helps provide the foundational skills and knowledge needed to pursue a variety of careers.
Like other postgraduate degrees, an associate degree is targeted towards a specific field of your choosing. You should consider the career path you wish to take prior to choosing your degree program.
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