A Tiered
Approach to
Education

An associate's degree makes good sense for many and can lend itself to A Tiered Approach to Education and lifelong learning. An excellent example is the health-care field. Many jobs in this field require only a two-year degree, but you can move up when you get your bachelor's degree.

Let's say you get your associate's degree and become a certified physical therapist assistant with a salary of around $43,000*. You like this field, but want to advance. So, you can finish the courses necessary to achieve a bachelor's degree and become a physical therapist with a salary of around $71,000*. And, if you go on to earn an advanced degree, such as a master's or Ph.D., you'll have many options and increased salary potential while staying in the health-care field.

Let's say you get your associate's degree and become a certified physical therapist assistant with a salary of around $43,000*. You like this field, but want to advance. So, you can finish the courses necessary to achieve a bachelor's degree and become a physical therapist with a salary of around $71,000*. And, if you go on to earn an advanced degree, such as a master's or Ph.D., you'll have many options and increased salary potential while staying in the health-care field.

*Salary information from Salary Wizard,
http://swz.salary.com/