Online Associate Degree Programs at UMass Global | UMass Global
Source: https://www.umassglobal.edu/academic-programs/associate-degrees
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:09
Online Associate Degree Programs at UMass Global | UMass Global
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Associate Degree Programs
An associate degree can help you build a strong academic and professional foundation, while giving you the college credits you need to keep advancing your education. Along the way, you can explore different subjects, find your passion, and position yourself for in-demand careers, promotions, or a seamless transfer into a bachelor’s program when you’re ready.
0
An Important First Step
An associate degree shows employers you're serious about your education — and it looks great on a resume. Whether you're starting fresh or have transfer credits, UMass Global can help you move forward.
Each step in your education builds valuable skills, opens doors to better jobs, and shows you're committed. Plus, an AA degree makes it easy to transfer into a bachelor’s program.
Getting started is simple. All you need is a high school diploma or GED. Already have 12+ college credits? Submit your transcripts and get credit for what you’ve already done.
Undergraduate Admission
Interested in an associate or bachelor’s degree program? Review the requirements for your specific program, fill out the online admissions application, and request and submit your transcripts.
Read More
Undergraduate Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for undergraduates enrolled in degree programs and teacher credential programs in the form of need-based and non-need based grants, loans and outside scholarships.
Read More
Programs Offered
Learn More about AA (General Education)
Instructor-Lead
General Education
AA (General Education)
Jumpstart your college journey with UMass Global's online AA in General Education. Build a strong foundation in liberal arts and seamlessly transfer to any bachelor's program.
Next Start Date:
May 4, 2026
Learn More
AA (General Education)
Instructor-Lead
In this general education degree, you'll be introduced to a broad range of subjects, including written and oral communication, liberal studies, mathematics, history, art, philosophy, social sciences, and natural sciences.
View AA (General Education)
AA (General Education)
Instructor-Lead
Jumpstart your college journey with UMass Global's online AA in General Education. Build a strong foundation in liberal arts and seamlessly transfer to any bachelor's program.
Degree Earned:
Associates
Jumpstart your college journey with UMass Global's online AA in General Education. Build a strong foundation in liberal arts and seamlessly transfer to any bachelor's program.
Degree Earned:
Associates
Learning Mode:
Online
Online
60
Credits
$500/Credit
Help me estimate my cost
Next Start Date
Summer I (May 4, 2026)
Next Start:
05/04/2026
Learn More
about AA (General Education)
Next Start:
05/04/2026
Learn More about General Business (General Business) *self-paced, AA
Self-Paced
Business
General Business (General Business) *self-paced, AA
Accelerate your business career with UMass Global's self-paced AA in General Business. Work at your own pace with all materials included in MyPath fees.
Next Start Date:
Continuous Starts
Learn More
General Business (General Business) *self-paced, AA
Self-Paced
This online, self-paced program helps students build the knowledge and skills to advance in business. This competency-based associate degree also provides the foundation for students to progress into a bachelor's degree program.
View General Business (General Business) *self-paced, AA
General Business (General Business) *self-paced, AA
Self-Paced
Accelerate your business career with UMass Global's self-paced AA in General Business. Work at your own pace with all materials included in MyPath fees.
Degree Earned:
Associates
Accelerate your business career with UMass Global's self-paced AA in General Business. Work at your own pace with all materials included in MyPath fees.
Degree Earned:
Associates
Learning Mode:
Online (Self-Paced)
Competency Based
60
Credits
$3400/Credit
Help me estimate my cost
Next Start Date
Continuous Starts
Next Start:
Continuous Starts
Learn More
about General Business (General Business) *self-paced, AA
Next Start:
Continuous Starts
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Frequently Asked Questions
An AA is the building block for post-secondary learning. It teaches you the foundations of key skills valued by employers. The diverse curricula of these programs cover topics such as communication, critical thinking and quantitative analysis. Students can also specialize in a topic like business, which can increase job prospects in their chosen field.
It typically takes two years to complete the required 60 units for an associate degree. UMass Global offers two 100% online options for earning your AA. One is a
traditional, session-based general education path
, where your instructor leads your online lectures and coursework and sets deadlines. The other is our
UMass Global MyPath AA in General Business
. This is completely self-paced, where you work at your own speed, finishing one section of your online coursework before moving on to the next. For areas where you already have knowledge, this can allow you to accelerate your degree path.
No. Although they are both undergraduate degrees that are earned after high school graduation, they are different. An associate degree builds a foundation of general knowledge; it also can be used as the first two years toward a four-year bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree builds off the general education gained with an associate degree and then focuses on a "major." Courses build knowledge in that area of expertise. That is why bachelor's degrees, unlike like AA degrees, have a title, such as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or a Bachelor of Business Administration.
No. An AA can be earned before a bachelor’s degree, but it is not required to complete these separately. Some students prefer to take it step-by-step, while others may choose to enter straight into their bachelor’s once they begin college since the associate-level is already embedded in the curriculum.
An associate degree can open doors to entry-level opportunities in many industries. Some examples of
potential job titles
include executive assistant, veterinary technician, paralegal, human resources assistant, computer network support specialist and respiratory therapist. Consider your unique skills and interests when evaluating your job and industry options.
Skip to main content
Associate Degree Programs
An associate degree can help you build a strong academic and professional foundation, while giving you the college credits you need to keep advancing your education. Along the way, you can explore different subjects, find your passion, and position yourself for in-demand careers, promotions, or a seamless transfer into a bachelor’s program when you’re ready.
0
An Important First Step
An associate degree shows employers you're serious about your education — and it looks great on a resume. Whether you're starting fresh or have transfer credits, UMass Global can help you move forward.
Each step in your education builds valuable skills, opens doors to better jobs, and shows you're committed. Plus, an AA degree makes it easy to transfer into a bachelor’s program.
Getting started is simple. All you need is a high school diploma or GED. Already have 12+ college credits? Submit your transcripts and get credit for what you’ve already done.
Undergraduate Admission
Interested in an associate or bachelor’s degree program? Review the requirements for your specific program, fill out the online admissions application, and request and submit your transcripts.
Read More
Undergraduate Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for undergraduates enrolled in degree programs and teacher credential programs in the form of need-based and non-need based grants, loans and outside scholarships.
Read More
Programs Offered
Learn More about AA (General Education)
Instructor-Lead
General Education
AA (General Education)
Jumpstart your college journey with UMass Global's online AA in General Education. Build a strong foundation in liberal arts and seamlessly transfer to any bachelor's program.
Next Start Date:
May 4, 2026
Learn More
AA (General Education)
Instructor-Lead
In this general education degree, you'll be introduced to a broad range of subjects, including written and oral communication, liberal studies, mathematics, history, art, philosophy, social sciences, and natural sciences.
View AA (General Education)
AA (General Education)
Instructor-Lead
Jumpstart your college journey with UMass Global's online AA in General Education. Build a strong foundation in liberal arts and seamlessly transfer to any bachelor's program.
Degree Earned:
Associates
Jumpstart your college journey with UMass Global's online AA in General Education. Build a strong foundation in liberal arts and seamlessly transfer to any bachelor's program.
Degree Earned:
Associates
Learning Mode:
Online
Online
60
Credits
$500/Credit
Help me estimate my cost
Next Start Date
Summer I (May 4, 2026)
Next Start:
05/04/2026
Learn More
about AA (General Education)
Next Start:
05/04/2026
Learn More about General Business (General Business) *self-paced, AA
Self-Paced
Business
General Business (General Business) *self-paced, AA
Accelerate your business career with UMass Global's self-paced AA in General Business. Work at your own pace with all materials included in MyPath fees.
Next Start Date:
Continuous Starts
Learn More
General Business (General Business) *self-paced, AA
Self-Paced
This online, self-paced program helps students build the knowledge and skills to advance in business. This competency-based associate degree also provides the foundation for students to progress into a bachelor's degree program.
View General Business (General Business) *self-paced, AA
General Business (General Business) *self-paced, AA
Self-Paced
Accelerate your business career with UMass Global's self-paced AA in General Business. Work at your own pace with all materials included in MyPath fees.
Degree Earned:
Associates
Accelerate your business career with UMass Global's self-paced AA in General Business. Work at your own pace with all materials included in MyPath fees.
Degree Earned:
Associates
Learning Mode:
Online (Self-Paced)
Competency Based
60
Credits
$3400/Credit
Help me estimate my cost
Next Start Date
Continuous Starts
Next Start:
Continuous Starts
Learn More
about General Business (General Business) *self-paced, AA
Next Start:
Continuous Starts
Related Information
All Articles
Online Learning
UMass Global Flexible Online Learning: What Type of Learner Are You? [Quiz]
UMass Global Flexible Online Learning: What Type of Learner Are You? [Quiz]
Adult Learner
How to Choose a Major in College – Tips to Consider
How to Choose a Major in College – Tips to Consider
Adult Learner
UMass Global Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide from Application to Classes
UMass Global Application Process: Step-by-Step Guide from Application to Classes
Frequently Asked Questions
An AA is the building block for post-secondary learning. It teaches you the foundations of key skills valued by employers. The diverse curricula of these programs cover topics such as communication, critical thinking and quantitative analysis. Students can also specialize in a topic like business, which can increase job prospects in their chosen field.
It typically takes two years to complete the required 60 units for an associate degree. UMass Global offers two 100% online options for earning your AA. One is a
traditional, session-based general education path
, where your instructor leads your online lectures and coursework and sets deadlines. The other is our
UMass Global MyPath AA in General Business
. This is completely self-paced, where you work at your own speed, finishing one section of your online coursework before moving on to the next. For areas where you already have knowledge, this can allow you to accelerate your degree path.
No. Although they are both undergraduate degrees that are earned after high school graduation, they are different. An associate degree builds a foundation of general knowledge; it also can be used as the first two years toward a four-year bachelor's degree. A bachelor's degree builds off the general education gained with an associate degree and then focuses on a "major." Courses build knowledge in that area of expertise. That is why bachelor's degrees, unlike like AA degrees, have a title, such as a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or a Bachelor of Business Administration.
No. An AA can be earned before a bachelor’s degree, but it is not required to complete these separately. Some students prefer to take it step-by-step, while others may choose to enter straight into their bachelor’s once they begin college since the associate-level is already embedded in the curriculum.
An associate degree can open doors to entry-level opportunities in many industries. Some examples of
potential job titles
include executive assistant, veterinary technician, paralegal, human resources assistant, computer network support specialist and respiratory therapist. Consider your unique skills and interests when evaluating your job and industry options.