Associate's Degree to Career: Fast Track Options for Military Spouses

Bottom Line Up Front

Associate's degrees offer military spouses a 2-year path to career-ready credentials at a fraction of bachelor's degree cost. Many associate's programs lead to jobs paying $40,000-$70,000 immediately upon graduation. The best programs for military spouses are fully online, affordable ($5,000-$20,000 total), and lead to portable careers. Community colleges offer excellent value, and transferring credits from military spouse life (JST, prior college) can accelerate completion.

The Military Spouse Career Challenge

Why Associate's Degrees Work for Military Spouses:

• Complete in 2 years (often less with credits)
• Available online from military-friendly institutions
• Affordable (community college rates)
• Many lead directly to jobs (no bachelor's required)
• Credits often transfer toward bachelor's later

The Reality: You may not have 4 years at one duty station—but you likely have 2. And many associate's programs are fully online, making PCS irrelevant. Two years invested now creates a credential that lasts forever.

Best Associate's Degrees for Job Placement

Healthcare (High Demand, Good Pay)

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $10,000-$25,000
• Starting Salary: $55,000-$70,000
• Job Growth: 6% (faster than average)
• Portability: Nurse Licensure Compact (40+ states)
• Note: Clinical requirements—plan around PCS

Radiologic Technology (X-Ray Tech)

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $15,000-$30,000
• Starting Salary: $50,000-$65,000
• Job Growth: 7%
• Portability: ARRT certification transfers
• Note: Clinical requirements

Dental Hygiene

• Time: 2-3 years
• Cost: $20,000-$35,000
• Starting Salary: $70,000-$85,000
• Job Growth: 9%
• Portability: State licensure required but transferable
• Note: Competitive admission, clinical requirements

Physical Therapist Assistant

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $15,000-$30,000
• Starting Salary: $48,000-$60,000
• Job Growth: 24% (much faster than average)
• Portability: State licensure, compacts developing
• Note: Clinical requirements

Respiratory Therapist

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $15,000-$25,000
• Starting Salary: $55,000-$65,000
• Job Growth: 14%
• Portability: CRT/RRT certification transfers
• Note: Clinical requirements

Information Technology (Remote-Friendly)

Associate in Information Technology

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $8,000-$20,000
• Starting Salary: $45,000-$60,000
• Job Growth: 11%
• Portability: Excellent, fully remote work available
• Note: Add certifications (CompTIA) for more value

Cybersecurity Associate Degree

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $10,000-$25,000
• Starting Salary: $55,000-$75,000
• Job Growth: 33% (much faster than average)
• Portability: Excellent, Security+ helps
• Note: Clearance + degree = high demand

Computer Programming / Software Development

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $8,000-$20,000
• Starting Salary: $50,000-$70,000
• Job Growth: 25%
• Portability: Excellent, remote work common
• Note: Portfolio matters more than degree alone

Network Administration

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $8,000-$18,000
• Starting Salary: $50,000-$65,000
• Job Growth: 5%
• Portability: Good, Network+ helps
• Note: Combine with certifications

Business (Versatile)

Associate in Accounting

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $6,000-$15,000
• Starting Salary: $42,000-$55,000
• Job Growth: 7%
• Portability: Good, leads to bachelor's/CPA path
• Note: Remote work increasingly available

Associate in Business Administration

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $6,000-$15,000
• Starting Salary: $40,000-$50,000
• Job Growth: 7%
• Portability: Good, very versatile
• Note: Foundation for many paths

Associate in Human Resources

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $6,000-$15,000
• Starting Salary: $42,000-$55,000
• Job Growth: 8%
• Portability: Good, add SHRM cert later
• Note: Remote work growing

Paralegal/Legal Studies

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $8,000-$18,000
• Starting Salary: $45,000-$55,000
• Job Growth: 4%
• Portability: No licensure required
• Note: Remote work possible at some firms

Skilled Trades (High Demand)

HVAC Technology

• Time: 1-2 years
• Cost: $5,000-$15,000
• Starting Salary: $45,000-$60,000
• Job Growth: 5%
• Portability: Jobs everywhere (EPA certification transfers)
• Note: Physical work, in-person required

Electrical Technology

• Time: 2 years
• Cost: $6,000-$18,000
• Starting Salary: $50,000-$65,000
• Job Growth: 7%
• Portability: May need state-specific licensing
• Note: High demand, good pay

Online Associate's Degree Programs

Best Online Community Colleges

Calbright College (California)

• Tuition: Free for CA residents
• Programs: IT support, cybersecurity
• Format: Competency-based
• Military-Friendly: Yes

Rio Salado College (Arizona)

• Tuition: $85/credit ($5,100 total)
• Programs: Business, accounting, IT, general studies
• Format: Fully online
• Military-Friendly: Yes (Yellow Ribbon)

SUNY Empire State College (New York)

• Tuition: $310/credit ($18,600 total)
• Programs: Business, liberal arts, technology
• Format: Fully online
• Military-Friendly: Yes

Coastline College (California)

• Tuition: ~$46/credit for CA, ~$300/credit out-of-state
• Programs: Business, accounting, IT, healthcare admin
• Format: Fully online
• Military-Friendly: Yes, used by many military

University Online Programs

Southern New Hampshire University

• Tuition: $320/credit ($19,200 total)
• Programs: Wide variety of associate's
• Format: Fully online
• Military Rate: Discounted

Purdue University Global

• Tuition: ~$370/credit, $250 military rate
• Programs: Healthcare, business, IT
• Format: Fully online
• Military Rate: Significant discount

Liberty University Online

• Tuition: ~$390/credit military rate
• Programs: Business, criminal justice, psychology
• Format: Fully online
• Military Rate: Discounted

Western Governors University

• Tuition: ~$4,000/6-month term
• Programs: IT, healthcare, business
• Format: Competency-based
• Military Rate: 5% discount

Fast-Tracking Your Degree

Credit Sources

Prior College Work:

• Request transcripts from all previous colleges
• Even partial semesters may transfer
• Credits from regionally accredited schools transfer best

CLEP Exams:

• Test out of general education courses
• $90/exam
• Study free (Modern States) or low-cost
• Can earn 30+ credits
• Popular CLEPs: English Composition, History, Psychology

DSST Exams:

• Similar to CLEP, broader subjects
• Free for military families through DANTES
• Business, science, humanities

Military Training (JST/SMART):

• Army/Marine: Joint Services Transcript
• Navy/Coast Guard: SMART transcript
• Some training converts to college credit
• Depends on school's policy

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA):

• Portfolio-based credit for life experience
• Work experience converted to academic credit
• Varies by school

Acceleration Strategies

Strategy 1: Test Out (CLEPs)

• Target 15-30 credits through testing
• Reduces time and cost by 25-50%
• Study while waiting for next term

Strategy 2: Competency-Based Programs

• WGU, Calbright: Go fast if you know material
• Already understand accounting? Finish faster
• Self-paced learning

Strategy 3: Summer/Accelerated Terms

• 8-week terms instead of 16
• Year-round enrollment
• Finish associate's in 18 months

Strategy 4: Credit Stacking

• Start with CLEP credits
• Add military training credits
• Enroll for remaining courses
• Example: 15 CLEP + 10 military + 35 coursework = 60 credits

Paying for Your Associate's Degree

GI Bill Transfer

If your spouse transfers Post-9/11 GI Bill:

• Full tuition at public colleges
• Housing allowance (BAH rate)
• Book stipend

MyCAA Limitations

MyCAA typically covers certificates, not degrees. However:

• May cover certificate portions of programs
• Check if your career path has certificate option
• Apply to degree-granting school for full program

Financial Aid

FAFSA:

• Complete at fafsa.gov
• Determines Pell Grant eligibility
• Opens federal loan options

Pell Grant:

• Up to ~$7,400/year
• Need-based, doesn't require repayment
• Many military spouses qualify

Military Spouse Scholarships:

• NMFA: Up to $2,500/year
• ThanksUSA: $3,000 awards
• Service-specific scholarships

Low-Cost Options

Community Colleges:

• In-state tuition often under $100/credit
• Total degree: $5,000-$12,000
• Some states waive tuition for military families

Military In-State Tuition Laws:

• Many states grant in-state tuition to military families
• Regardless of legal residence
• Check destination state policies

Associate's to Career Pathway

Direct-to-Work Programs

Some associate's degrees lead directly to employment:

• ADN (Nursing): Immediate RN eligibility
• Radiologic Tech: Work upon passing ARRT
• Dental Hygiene: Work upon state license
• HVAC/Electrical: Apprenticeship or journeyman path
• IT Degrees: Entry-level IT jobs

Associate's to Bachelor's

Many associate's degrees transfer seamlessly:

• Complete associate's at community college
• Transfer to 4-year university
• Complete bachelor's in 2 more years
• Often called "2+2" pathway

Military-Friendly Transfer Schools:

• Most state universities accept community college credits
• WGU, SNHU, Purdue Global designed for transfers
• Ask about articulation agreements

Success Stories

Amanda, Army Spouse - ADN to RN "I finished my ADN at the community college near Fort Hood in 18 months. Used CLEP for my general education. Passed NCLEX, got my compact license, and now I work in telehealth making $68K. When we PCS'd to Germany, I kept my job because it's 100% remote."

Marcus, Navy Spouse - IT Associate's "I did my associate's in IT through WGU—completely online and self-paced. With my prior experience, I finished in 12 months. Got my CompTIA certs as part of the program. Making $58K now in IT support, and half my team is remote."

Priya, Air Force Spouse - Paralegal "The paralegal associate's program took 20 months while managing two kids. Now I work for a law firm that has remote paralegals across the country. Started at $47K and got promoted to $55K. No law school debt, and I'm actually working in my field."

90-Day Action Plan

Days 1-30: Planning

• Week 1: Identify career goal and associate's path
• Week 2: Research schools (community college, online options)
• Week 3: Order all transcripts. Evaluate transfer credits.
• Week 4: Complete FAFSA. Apply for scholarships.

Days 31-60: Preparation

• Week 5-6: Take CLEP exams for eligible subjects
• Week 7-8: Apply to chosen school(s)

Days 61-90: Enrollment

• Week 9-10: Accept admission. Register for classes.
• Week 11-12: Begin coursework. Establish study routine.

Resources

CLEP/Testing:

• Modern States (free prep): modernstates.org
• CLEP: clep.collegeboard.org
• DANTES: dantes.doded.mil

School Search:

• Military-Friendly Schools: militaryfriendly.com
• Community College Finder: collegeboard.org

Financial Aid:

• FAFSA: fafsa.gov
• NMFA Scholarships: militaryfamily.org
• ThanksUSA: thanksusa.org

Career Research:

• BLS: bls.gov/ooh
• O*NET: onetonline.org

This Website:

• Education Benefits
• Career Guides
• militarytransitiontoolkit.com

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An associate's degree is often the fastest path from unemployed to career. Two years of focused effort creates credentials that employers recognize and pay for. Choose a portable field, find an online program, and use every acceleration strategy available. Your career starts now.