An associate's degree typically requires the completion of about 60 semester credit hours. This usually equates to around 20 courses of 3 credits each and generally takes about two years of full-time study to complete
. The exact number of credits may vary slightly depending on the type of associate degree and the institution. For example:
- Associate of Arts (AA) degrees usually require 60 credits, including a minimum of 35 credits in general education
- Associate of Science (AS) degrees also generally require around 60 credits, sometimes up to 66, with at least 35 credits in general education
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees may require between 60 and 72 credits, with fewer general education credits and more technical or vocational coursework
Some colleges use a quarter system, in which case the credit requirement might be about 90 quarter credits, equivalent to 60 semester credits
. In summary, the standard credit requirement for an associate's degree is approximately 60 semester credits, but this can vary slightly depending on the degree type and institution.
