Best Associate Degrees in Mathematics

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*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Students who love math and working with numbers may decide to earn an associate degree in mathematics. They may have taken advanced math courses in high school or courses in other quantitative areas. An associate degree in the field helps prepare students to transfer to a 4-year degree in mathematics and other related subjects. It can help students finish their bachelor's degree faster by completing general education courses and intro-level math courses. Students could also have a head start in understanding some major mathematical concepts. After graduation, students with a degree in mathematics can pursue diverse careers in many different industries. The flexibility of this degree qualifies students to work in areas such as:

• Finance
• Education
• Consulting
• Research
• Engineering
• Cryptography
• Data science

Students could also choose to get an associate degree in math for the flexible format options. Many of these programs are available in full- and part-time formats, as well as online, to accommodate students who are working full-time or have other busy schedules.

Those who are beginning to compare different associate degree programs in mathematics should consider several factors when making their choice of where to enroll. Location can play a big part in choosing a school, as some schools have specific transfer agreements with other colleges and universities in the area. Students who want to transfer to a 4-year school should pay close attention to these transfer agreements and ensure that the courses required for their associate degree help them fulfill requirements for a bachelor's degree at their school of interest. Location can also be important for students planning on attending an on-campus program, as the school may need to be located close to a student's home or place of work. A final program-level consideration is the specific courses that a mathematics degree requires to see how these courses align with a student's career goals.

There are also some institution-level considerations that students should think about when picking a school. For instance, the cost of a program or the availability of scholarships can play a big role in finding a school that meets students' needs. There are also some schools that offer additional academic resources, such as tutoring, that some students may need or desire.

Application and Admissions for Math Associate Degree Programs

Applying to associate degree programs in mathematics usually requires completing the appropriate application and submitting any required application fees. However, other aspects of the admission process vary by school. Most programs require applicants to these associate programs to have at least a high school diploma or GED and be at least 18 years of age. Students who are transferring into the school may need to have good academic standing from their prior institution. Either way, students typically need to have their transcripts sent to the school. Depending on the program, there could be prerequisite courses that students have to complete. For instance, students could be required to have completed a course in pre-calculus or test out of the course using a mathematics placement exam. Students who have questions about the admission process can typically work with an enrollment specialist at the school.

Like other associate degree programs, an associate degree in mathematics is usually designed to be completed in 2 years. However, there are several different factors that can affect the time to degree completion. For instance, students who enroll in their program on a part-time basis may take longer than 2 years to finish. On the other hand, students who transfer in from another institution with some prior coursework could finish their degree faster than first-time freshmen.

Determining how much an associate degree in mathematics costs requires adding up several different factors, including tuition rates and fees. Each postsecondary institution typically has its own tuition rates per credit hour, and these rates may vary based on the type of student or other factors. For example, several schools have different tuition rates for state residents and non-residents. Costs could also vary for full-time vs. part-time students. Fees are another area where there is great variation amongst schools. Depending on the institution, students may be required to pay fees such as technology, health, student life, lab, and enrollment fees. Scholarships and other forms of financial aid can help students lower some of these costs.

Most associate degree programs in mathematics require between 60 and 64 credits of coursework. Students have to take some general education courses and then round out their degree with various mathematics courses and possibly some electives. General education courses typically align with courses required at 4-year institutions that have transfer agreements with the school and include topics in the social sciences, English, the natural sciences, and more. Some examples of specific mathematics courses that students may take for their associate degree include:

• Calculus I-III
• Discrete mathematics
• Linear algebra
• Analytic geometry
• Statistics
• Programming

There are many different careers for people who love math, as well as jobs that require good math skills available for graduates. Although some of these jobs that involve math allow for travel, many graduates will go on to work in offices or labs in various industries. The salary that one can earn with an associate degree in math depends on the position, employer, location, and other factors, such as work experience. In general, the website, PayScale.com, reported that graduates with an AS in Mathematics made a median annual salary of $61,509 as of April 2021. The median salary for other specific job titles can vary from this median. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the median annual salary for bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks was $42,410 as of 2020.

Begin a Career as a Statistical Assistant

While there are some differences between a mathematician and a statistician, statistics is a very similar field to mathematics and graduates can go on to pursue a number of jobs in statistics. Although a career as a statistical assistant typically requires at least a bachelor's degree, there are some in the position who only have some college education and others that hold a master's degree. Generally, these assistants do not need to have any prior work experience or any on-the-job training.

Statistical assistants include actuarial clerks, and these professionals help collect and analyze data using statistical methods. Actuarial clerks can create graphs and charts that are used by actuaries in their reports. Statistical assistants commonly enter data into computers, ensure data accuracy, help compile reports, and identify and help solve any issues with a research project.

Begin a Career as a Bookkeeping, Accounting, or Auditing Clerk

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks usually need to have some postsecondary education, but there are some positions that only need a high school diploma. Most of these professionals receive a decent amount of on-the-job training to learn their specific job duties, as well as specialized training for working with specific computer programs. There are professional certifications available in the field to help professionals stand out amongst the competition and demonstrate their expertise, such as the Certified Bookkeeper (CB) designation from the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers.

Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks are typically responsible for creating various types of financial records for an organization. Depending on the position, these workers can use computer software to enter transactions and other data, update statements, and create financial reports, such as income statements. They are also usually responsible for checking data for accuracy and ensuring that documents are organized and maintained.

Many associate degree programs in mathematics do not hold program-level accreditation, but are offered from schools that are regionally accredited. This means that there is not an overarching math-related accrediting body that holds associate degree programs in math to industry-specific academic standards. However, the institutions that offer these associate degrees typically have met general academic standards for quality in all of the programs that they offer. This is regional accreditation and is provided by organizations such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) or the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). In order to accept federal financial aid, students have to attend an accredited institution, and employers also tend to prefer those with degrees from accredited schools.

Students who have an associate degree in mathematics, but wish to advance their career typically need to pursue additional education. This education can be at the undergraduate or graduate level. Many math-related positions require at least a bachelor's degree. For instance, actuaries, market research analysts, financial analysts, and computer programmers all usually need at least a bachelor's degree. According to the BLS, mathematicians and statisticians commonly need to have a master's degree, but there are some entry-level positions that may only require a bachelor's degree in the field. Other advanced science- and math-related positions require doctoral degrees, such as physicists and astronomers. Work experience can also help students advance their careers. For example, bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks can become accountants and auditors with work experience and further education.

Many associate degree programs in mathematics are specifically designed to enable students to easily transfer to 4-year colleges and universities. Some schools that offer these associate degree programs have specific transfer agreements with 4-year schools in the state or nearby area, such as a community college in California having transfer agreements with all of the schools in the California State University (CSU) system. Transfer agreements help guarantee a seamless transition for students to finish out their 4-year degree. However, students can commonly transfer to other schools outside of transfer agreements as well, including prestigious 4-year schools across the country. Students who go on to pursue their bachelor's can choose from a range of math-related areas. Some possible degree options include bachelor's programs in:

• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Applied mathematics
• Mathematics education
• Computational mathematics science
• Actuarial science

As mentioned, in order to advance one's career and pursue jobs of interest, many students go on to pursue advanced education in the field of mathematics. Math degree programs are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels and continue to equip students with more advanced and complex skills in the field with each degree level. Students usually have the option to pursue degree programs specifically in mathematics or other specialty areas in the field, as well as closely related areas. Below are some examples of degree options.

Bachelor's Degrees in Math

Students with an associate degree in math can usually complete a bachelor's degree in mathematics or a closely related field in 2 years. Bachelor's degree programs specifically in mathematics can be offered as Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees. Depending on a student's interest, they can also specialize in a math-related area, such as math education, or even double major. For instance, some students interested in business may pursue a math and accounting double major.

Master's Degrees in Math

A Master of Science (MS) in Mathematics degree is most commonly available, but Master of Arts (MA) degrees are also available in the field. Some of these programs require a master's thesis and usually place an emphasis on research. The curriculum for these degree programs is usually a little more flexible to allow students to pursue personal areas of interest. Students can also find mathematics master's programs that offer specific concentrations, such as in applied mathematics. Other related degrees are also available, including a Master of Education (MEd) with a concentration in mathematics.

Doctoral Degrees in Math

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics is the most common doctoral degree program in the field. These programs are research-heavy and can include coursework in both pure and applied mathematics. Students are typically required to complete a dissertation and depending on the program, could earn their master's degree in the field on their way to earning their PhD. Teaching fellowships or opportunities may also be available to help prepare students for future careers in education.

Certificate Programs in Math

Both undergraduate and graduate certificate programs are available in various areas of math. Some of these programs are available in online formats for flexibility and can be paired with degree programs from numerous fields. Students may have more certificate options at the graduate level with programs ranging from applied statistics to teaching secondary school math. Depending on the school, some graduate certificate programs allow students to count credits from the certificate toward a master's degree in the field.

The availability of financial aid can play an important role in a student's ability to attend college, as well as their choice in which college to attend. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can help students see what federal and state loans and grants they qualify for and should be completed each year. Students should also check with their school of interest for any potential tuition discounts or available scholarships. Often, schools will have different types of scholarships available, but students can also explore outside scholarships that may pertain to their field of study, demographics, financial need, and other characteristics. Here are some examples of schools with associate degree programs in mathematics and the scholarships they offer to make school more affordable:

• Phoenix College- For the 2021-2022 school year, Phoenix College is offering the Foundation Scholarship, as well as a number of other scholarships provided by alumni, local organizations, and other groups. Some of their available scholarships require a GPA of only a 2.0.
• Monroe Community College- Monroe Community College is one of several schools in New York to offer the NYS Excelsior Scholarship that aims to waive tuition for public college education. Students must meet qualifications based on household income and submit an application.