<P> An associate degree (or associate's degree) is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study intended to usually last two years or more . It is considered to be a greater level of education than a high school diploma or GED . The first associate degrees were awarded in the U.K. (where they are no longer awarded) in 1873 before spreading to the U.S. in 1898 . They have since been introduced in a small number of other countries . </P> <P> In 2004, Australia added "associate degree" to the Australian Qualifications Framework . This title was given to courses more academically focused than advanced diploma courses, and typically designed to articulate to bachelor's degree courses . </P>

What type of degree is an associate degree