associate degree
noun
variants
or less commonly associate's degree
: a degree that is given to a student who has completed two years of study typically at a community or junior college in the U.S.
Examples of associate degree in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Bryce attended a different school to get his associate degree in information in technology before transferring to UMass Lowell in January 2022, eventually switching to a business major.
—
Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Approximately 500 students received master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees at the event.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
To be officially designated by the state, a community college’s associate degree curriculum must include a minimum of 60 semester units of relevant coursework and at least 150 hours of supervised field experience.
—Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
The program, established in 2024 by Mark and Robin Seigle, supports graduating high school seniors and first-year college students by covering all student expenses for up to 60 credits toward an associate degree at ECC, according to a news release.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Today, the first-generation college student is working at the job of her dreams and is poised to receive her associate degree in automotive technology from Santa Ana College.
—Santa Ana College, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Four hundred will also receive an associate degree, and others have earned a post‑secondary credential.
—Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Students aged 18 to 20 represented the largest share of first-time associate degree earners in the 2024-25 academic year — accounting for nearly one-third, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
Among associate degree students, that share rises to 56%, with 15% giving it serious consideration.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
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Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Approximately 500 students received master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees at the event.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
To be officially designated by the state, a community college’s associate degree curriculum must include a minimum of 60 semester units of relevant coursework and at least 150 hours of supervised field experience.
—Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
The program, established in 2024 by Mark and Robin Seigle, supports graduating high school seniors and first-year college students by covering all student expenses for up to 60 credits toward an associate degree at ECC, according to a news release.
—Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Today, the first-generation college student is working at the job of her dreams and is poised to receive her associate degree in automotive technology from Santa Ana College.
—Santa Ana College, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Four hundred will also receive an associate degree, and others have earned a post‑secondary credential.
—Briseida Holguin, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026
Students aged 18 to 20 represented the largest share of first-time associate degree earners in the 2024-25 academic year — accounting for nearly one-third, according to a new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
—Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 16 Apr. 2026
Among associate degree students, that share rises to 56%, with 15% giving it serious consideration.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Associate degree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/associate%20degree. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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