An associate's degree is typically a two-year degree program, although in some cases it may be shorter or longer depending on a student's schedule of study. Students who choose associate's degree programs may choose a course of study where they can transfer credits to a four-year college program, or they may choose a course of study that prepares them for a specific vocation or career. Students who plan to transfer should check the credit acceptance policies of the four-year institution to which they plan to transfer. An associate’s degree program can be good preparation either for future education or as a starting point for careers in fields such as health services or information technology. Those with associate’s degrees average $400,000 more in earnings over the course a lifetime than those with only a high school diploma, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.