How many credits are needed for an associate's degree?

I'm considering pursuing an associate's degree after high school, but I'm not exactly sure how many credits are typically required to complete one. Do all associate's degrees require the same number of credits, or does it vary depending on the field? I'm also curious if the credits can be transferred later on if I decide to pursue a bachelor's degree. Any guidance or information on this would be fantastic!

The number of credits required for an associate's degree can vary depending on the college or university, the program, and sometimes the state's educational requirements. However, in general, an associate's degree typically requires around 60 to 65 semester credits or approximately 20 to 21 courses.

While this number can fluctuate, it generally means a full-time student can earn an associate's degree in about two years. As for your question about credit transfer, whether or not the credits from an associate's degree can be transferred to a bachelor's degree depends on a variety of factors. Ideally, many colleges and universities will accept these credits, particularly if there's an articulation agreement in place between the schools.

An articulation agreement is an officially approved agreement that matches coursework between institutions. These are often set between two-year and four-year colleges and universities to make the transition smoother. So, in these instances, credits can be transferred directly towards a bachelor's degree in a related field.

But ultimately, a successful transfer of credits really depends on the policies of the institution you are transferring to, the relevancy of the courses to your intended bachelor's degree, and the grades you earned in these courses. As a rule of thumb, it's always a good idea to reach out to the admissions office or a school counselor of the institutions you're considering for the most accurate information in regards to transfer credits.