Location is a key factor when determining where you want to go to college. You may have narrowed down your selection to South Florida, but where in South Florida is another daunting choice to make. Before you get to that, it’s a good idea to determine what it is you want to do. This can help in determining which South Florida college to choose. Florida National University offers multiple programs for both associates and bachelor’s degrees.
Learning About the College Degree
The ultimate choice of choosing between an associate or a bachelor’s degree is up to you. To help you make that choice, let’s take a closer look at associate and bachelor’s degrees. Then we’ll discuss the different branches under these degrees: arts and science.
Associate degree
The associate degree will take less time and money to achieve. It typically takes two years to earn, but students who choose to enroll as part-time students may double the amount of time it takes to graduate. Because it doesn’t take a considerable amount of time to earn, the cost of an associate may be less as there aren’t as many credit hours required.
When enrolling in an associate program, you can approach it two ways:
- You can use it as a stepping stone toward a bachelor’s degree
- You can use it to prepare for a career
If you’re enrolling with the intent to eventually pursue a bachelor’s degree, then you can use this program as a way to build your transcript with general requirement courses. This will provide a solid learning foundation before taking any career-related courses.
If you decide to get a two-year degree, then you’ll begin taking course concentrations immediately. Depending on the profession you choose, internships may be required, but this all depends on the educational institution and its curriculum as each college’s program requirements may vary.
Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree takes twice as long as the traditional 2-year associate degree. It typically takes four years to complete, and again even longer if you are enrolled part-time. This is because more core courses and elective credit hours are required. After all, you’ll be getting a more in-depth understanding of your selected career path.
When enrolling in a bachelor’s program, it’s highly recommended to plan and choose a career path early so you don’t pay for courses that aren’t within graduation requirements. While it is normal for some students to enroll in college with an undecided major and enroll in general education courses, it’s common for students to decide after the first year.
In addition to selecting a major, the bachelor’s program also allows you to minor in another profession. For example, if you’re enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, you can use your electives to minor in Accounting. You can consult with your academic advisor to discuss the details of how to better execute your career as a college student.
School of Arts and Sciences
Whether you choose to go for an associate or bachelor’s degree, Florida National University gives you the option to graduate from the school of arts or the school of science. Whichever one you choose, it will show on your degree. If you choose the school of arts, your degree will read Associate of Arts (AA) or Bachelor of Arts (BA). If you choose the school of science, then your degree will read Associate of Science (AS) or Bachelor of Science (BS).
The School of Arts
The school of arts focuses on liberal arts. Your degree program will involve more credits for classes like humanities, sociology, geology, or social studies like history and political science. You’ll also be taught more about writing, literature, and communication arts.
The School of Science
When you set out to earn a degree from the school of science, the concentration within your entire curriculum is focused on pure science. Meaning your courses will require more degree credits in biology, chemistry, physics, or mathematics. Students who are pursuing a degree in the medical field tend to gravitate toward the school of science, but some schools do offer BA degrees in the healthcare industry.
Florida National University: Offering Choices
Finding the right school in the South Florida area can be a challenge, especially if you’re undecided about whether you want to pursue an associate or bachelor’s degree. Finding out what kind of career you want to pursue can help you make a better choice in deciding which degree program to enroll in. Take a look at Florida National University’s online degree programs here. Now that you have a better understanding of what to expect in an associate and bachelor’s program, you’ll be better equipped to choose the right one. With FNU, you also have the opportunity to earn some of these degrees 100% online.
The choice is up to you, but if you feel that you may need some assistance selecting an associate or bachelor’s degree program, contact FNU’s admissions office to schedule an appointment today.
