On-Campus and Online Associate Degree Programs
Earning your associated degree from Colorado Technical University could be the first step on your college journey, a stepping-stone in your current education, 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 and your academic goals. Our career-focused, online associate degree programs are designed to provide the type of connectedness and engagement you might expect from on-campus programs, but with the flexibility to take your classes wherever and whenever it’s most convenient for you.
Benefits of CTU’s Online Associate Degree Programs
From our experienced faculty and our virtual platforms that allow for greater student engagement, to our programs that make it possible to earn your degree faster than you may have thought possible, CTU offers various resources to help you succeed academically. Learning about our traditional and online associate degree programs is the first step on the path to pursuing your academic goals, and we’ll be here when you’re ready to take the next step.
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 Colorado Technical University students are required to complete an interview 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 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.
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.
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.
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
Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency 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 2024 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
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
CTU fit well with my everyday life schedule as I am a full-time employee, mother, and wife.
Sonya A., Former Student 2023 Graduate, Associate of Science in Health Administration Services
I chose CTU because they allowed me the flexibility to go to school while still tending to my everyday life.
Jezale D. C., Former Student 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., Former Student 2024 Graduate, Associate of Science in Business Administration