<P> In the United States, associate degrees are usually earned in two years or more and can be attained at community colleges, technical colleges, vocational schools, and some colleges . A student who completes a two - year program can earn an Associate of Arts / Associate in Arts (A.A.) or an Associate of Science / Associate in Science (A.S.) degree . A.A. degrees are usually earned in the Liberal Arts and Sciences such as humanities and social science fields; A.S. degrees are awarded to those studying in applied scientific and technical fields and professional fields of study . Generally, one year of study is focused on College level General Education and the second year is focused on the area of discipline . </P> <P> Students who complete a two - year technical or vocational program can earn an Associate of Applied Science / Associate in Applied Science This type of program is designed for persons seeking direct employment upon completion . </P> <P> Transfer admissions in the United States allows courses taken and credits earned on an A.A., A.S., or A.A.S. course can sometimes be counted toward a bachelor's degree via articulation agreements or recognition of prior learning, depending on the courses taken, applicable state laws / regulations, and the transfer requirements of the university . </P> <P> The Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act was signed into legislation on September 29, 2010 which is a legislation that grants any California Community College student who has earned the Associates in Arts degree for Transfer (AA - T) or the Associate in Science degree for Transfer (AS - T) will be granted priority admission to the CSU (California State University) into a similar baccalaureate (BA) degree program with a guarantee of junior standing . </P>

Is an associates degree the same as a bachelor's degree