Associate Degree Programs: On-Campus and Online
Earning your associate degree from Colorado Technical University could be the first step on your college journey or an opportunity to explore a new career direction. CTU offers traditional, hybrid, and online associate degree programs in a variety of fields so that you can choose which type of program best suits your busy life as well as your academic goals. Our career-focused, online associate degree programs are designed to provide a sense of community and engagement you might expect from on-campus programs, but with the flexibility to take your classes whenever and wherever it’s most convenient for you.
Benefits of CTU’s Online Associate Degree Programs
Our experienced faculty and virtual platforms offer great student engagement opportunities, and our programs may allow you to earn your degree faster than you thought possible. CTU also offers various resources to help you succeed academically. Learning about our traditional and online associate degree programs is the first step on your path to pursuing your academic goals, and we’ll be here when you’re ready to submit your application.
Flexible Programs
Convenient and flexible online associate degree programs are designed to fit around a busy schedule
Intellipath® Learning
CTU’s intellipath® can customize your learning experience by recognizing what you already know and anticipating what you’re ready to learn—so you can spend more time focusing on something new1
CTU Mobile
CTU Mobile and the CTU Virtual Classroom are secure and convenient ways to help you earn your degree anytime, anywhere you can access the Internet—view assignments and add them to your calendar, use our online library, listen to live chats, read discussion boards, receive push notifications, and track your academic progress, all while on-the-go
1 intellipath® is not available for all courses
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Associate Degree Programs - Admissions Overview
All prospective CTU students are required to meet with an Admissions Advisor and submit a completed application as part of the admissions process for both our on-campus and online associate degree programs. No SAT or other standardized test score is required for acceptance. Proof of high school graduation or of high school equivalency, such as a high school diploma or GED, respectively, must be submitted to CTU before the first day of the second quarter (or term in the program of study). Once received, CTU must review and confirm the documentation prior to official acceptance.
See the University Catalog for complete details
Spend Less Time And Money On Your Degree Program With:
Transfer-In Credits
Transfer-in up to 75% of the program credits required to complete your degree program2
Military Experience
Active, Guard, and Reserve members, veterans, and military spouses may be eligible for a variety of military education benefits that could help pay for courses and even textbooks
CTU Fast Track™
CTU Fast Track™ exams test your knowledge of key course objectives and can make it possible to earn course credit for what you already know2
Non-Collegiate Experience
Students with prior professional or hands-on experience have the option to document and demonstrate how this prior non-collegiate experience meets the objectives of a particular course within their chosen academic program, which can earn experiential credit3 that can be applied toward completing their degree.
2 The ability to reduce time in school and/or reduce tuition towards the full cost of a degree program depends on the number of CTU Fast Track™ exams successfully passed. Fast Track program credits are non-transferable. Not all programs are eligible for possible 30% reduction in time and money. Courses eligible are subject to change. Students should not rely on potential Fast Track savings or eligibility when making an enrollment decision.
3 Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Associate degree programs at Colorado Technical University require between 91.5 and 97.5 credit-hours (depending on the program selected) and can typically be completed in 24 months, although the amount of time it may take any individual student to graduate can vary.
Colorado Technical University also offers various institutional grants and scholarships4 that can help offset the cost of our traditional and online associate degree programs. Our Net Price Calculator can help you get an idea of what financial aid you might qualify for, and our financial aid page can provide more information on the various grants and scholarships available to eligible students.5 Please reach out to one of our Financial Aid Advisors for additional questions and details.
4 University grants or scholarships are based on established criteria as published in the University Catalog or on its website and are awarded after verification that the conditions of eligibility have been met.
5 Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Accreditation and Recognition
Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our traditional/online associate degree programs in business administration and accounting are programmatically accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). And for those students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree down the line, many of our bachelor’s degree programs are programmatically accredited by recognized accrediting organizations.
Colorado Technical University has been recognized by a number of third-party reviewers. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked various CTU degree programs in its lists of Best Online Programs*. CTU was recognized as a Purple Heart University in 2018 by the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) for our support of active military members, veterans, military families, and the community. The Military Times has also ranked us in its Best Colleges 2025 annual survey, which is a comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement.
*CTU programs are ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Online Programs.
CTU Associate Degree Programs: Online & On-Campus
CTU students come from all walks of life. Working adults, veterans, adults who never completed their college degree, recent high school graduates—all types of people with all types of backgrounds comprise our diverse student community, each with their own unique experiences and reasons for wanting to earn a degree. Perhaps you’ve been hesitating to pursue your associate degree online because you’re not sure whether there are in-person requirements that might conflict with your schedule. But with online associate degree attendance options at CTU, you might find it’s easier than you may think to earn a degree without putting the rest of your life on hold.
Accounting
An associate degree in accounting can be earned online, on-campus, or as part of a hybrid program at CTU. Our Associate of Science in Accounting (ASACC) program is designed to teach students the basic accounting skills necessary for entry-level accounting positions, including “soft” skills such as interpersonal and business communication skills. Our accounting curriculum is designed in alignment with the educational standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and integrates the body of knowledge and competencies covered in the Certified Managerial Accounting (CMA) exam. Core courses include Accounting I through III, Introduction to Tax, Business Law, and Computerized Accounting, among others.
Business Administration
The Associate of Science in Business Administration program is intended to provide students with foundational, industry-relevant general business knowledge in areas such as human resources, accounting, marketing, and management. This degree can be earned as part of an on-campus, hybrid, or fully online associate degree program, with a curriculum that aligns with the first two years of CTU’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program.
Health Administration Services
CTU offers a fully online associate degree program in health and administrative services. Students in the Associate of Science in Health Administration Services program study the structure and operation of the U.S. healthcare system, work to develop an understanding of ethical and legal principles as they relate to healthcare administration services, build their repertoire of medical terminology, and refine their communication skills. Reimbursement strategies, software applications used in healthcare, management fundamentals, and issues of cost, quality, and access to health care are some of the topics covered in the online curriculum.
Management
Students who may be interested in earning a traditional or online associate degree in management may consider our Associate of Science in Management program. This program provides introductory exposure to various management theories and their applications with the goal of helping students prepare to manage their own teams and projects in the real world, and it covers foundational business topics, including financial statement analysis, business law, and contemporary trends in business. The ASM degree curriculum aligns with the first two years of CTU’s Bachelor of Science in Management program.
CTU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states.
What Students Are Saying About Their CTU Experience
I chose CTU because it gave me the flexibility I needed to juggle work, school, and being a mom.
Chelsea B. 2025 Graduate, Associate of Science in Business Administration
I chose CTU because they allowed me the flexibility to go to school while still tending to my everyday life.
Jezale D. C. 2024 Graduate, Associate of Science in Business Administration
I chose CTU because of the adaptability that the university offers for their students. I was working full time and I wanted to go to school full time from my home.
Alisa G. 2024 Graduate, Associate of Science in Business Administration
Frequently Asked Questions
Colorado Technical University (CTU) is a US-based university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A CTU online associate degree is an undergraduate program designed to help students build foundational academic and career-ready skills—often serving as a starting point toward continued education. CTU offers fully online associate degree programs in fields such as business, information technology, health administration, and management, all designed to support students who want a flexible option built for working adults.
CTU features multiple program start dates, transfer-friendly pathways, and opportunities to earn credit for prior learning, including CTU Fast Track™ exams that may help you accelerate your degree. Students also have access to support resources such as 24/7 technical assistance through CTU’s Virtual Campus, helping you stay connected without putting your life on hold.
Yes. CTU's accounting, Business Administration, and Management associate degree programs are programmatically accredited by the Accreditation Counsel for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Tuition at CTU is charged per credit hour, and the total cost varies by program level and how many credits you complete with the university (books and most fees are included in CTU's published tuition for online programs).
Resources to help with program costs:
- Transfer credit* opportunities can significantly reduce time and tuition — see Transfer Students and Transfer Students and Registrar Evaluation Services for policies (up to 75% of eligible program credits may transfer-in to our associate programs).
- Military tuition benefits and corporate alliance tuition grants are available for eligible students — explore Reduced Military Tuition Rates and the Corporate Alliances Grant.
- Institutional scholarships and need-based grants are offered to qualifying students and awarded after verification of eligibility — see Grants & Scholarships.
- Course materials: For CTU's Virtual Campus, Total Program Cost includes a custom suite of course materials; for students eligible to receive the military tuition rate, the course-materials charge is waived (no net cost).
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
At CTU, online college classes are designed for students who need flexibility without sacrificing quality. CTU's online degree programs are backed by flexibility and quality so you can study from anywhere with confidence in the university’s academic standards.
With start dates and frequent academic sessions shown on CTU's academic calendar, you can fit classes around work and family. You’ll have on-the-go access through CTU Mobile and the student portal, plus 24/7 online tutoring via CTU's contract with Tutor.com.
CTU also offers ways to help reduce the time and cost needed to earn an associate degree: transfer-in credit (often up to 75% where eligible) and CTU Fast Track™ exams (save up to 30% on time and tuition where available*). Programs are designed to be career-focused, emphasizing practical skills you can apply on the job.
*The ability to reduce time in school and/or reduce tuition towards the full cost of a degree program depends on the number of CTU Fast Track™ exams successfully passed. Fast Track program credits are non-transferable. Not all programs are eligible for possible 30% reduction in time and money. Courses eligible are subject to change. Students should not rely on potential Fast Track savings or eligibility when making an enrollment decision.
At Colorado Technical University (CTU), online associate degree programs run on a quarter system, with 10-week quarters made up of two 5-week sessions.
As a general guideline, CTU’s academic catalog equates an associate degree to approximately two years of full-time study, though actual timelines may vary by program, course load, and prior learning credit. Your completion time may be shorter if you apply transfer credits* (often up to 75% where eligible) or pass CTU Fast Track™ exams, which may allow qualified students to demonstrate prior knowledge and potentially reduce both time and tuition where available.
*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.
Yes. CTU’s courses are offered in 100% online formats with flexible attendance options, so you can log in from your laptop, tablet, or phone to access lectures, assignments, and discussions. With multiple start options throughout the year, you can begin when it fits your schedule.
Because classes are built for working adults, you can structure your studies around career and family commitments. You’ll also have support along the way, including 24/7 online tutoring and 24/7 technical assistance.
CTU offers online associate degree programs designed to help students build foundational academic and technical skills to pursue entry-level roles or continued education, including but not limited to:
- Business & Management - Associate-level programs that introduce core business principles, communication skills, and workplace fundamentals, providing a foundation to pursue entry-level business roles or further study in CTU’s business degree pathways.
- Health Administration Services - This Associate program is designed to help build foundational skills in healthcare administration, including finance, human resources, reimbursement systems, and health records, while introducing regulatory, ethical, and legal considerations that impact healthcare organizations and support entry-level administrative roles or continued academic study.
These associate degree programs are career-focused while offering the flexibility students need to balance work, family, and other commitments.
CTU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. Not all programs are available to residents of all states.