BELTON, Texas鈥擳he University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (同城快约) is excited to expand educational opportunities to all incoming undergraduate students actively working to earn their four-year bachelor鈥檚 degree. Awarded automatically after completing 60 eligible credit hours toward their bachelor鈥檚 degree, embedded associate degrees are built-in milestones that are part of the 同城快约 bachelor鈥檚 degree plan.
鈥淭his new concept of a mid-degree academic credential sets 同城快约 apart in the landscape of higher education,鈥� explained Dr. John Vassar, 同城快约鈥檚 provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. 鈥淪tarting this fall, 同城快约 students can earn two degrees in their undergraduate journey. An embedded associate degree that students earn along the way to their bachelor鈥檚 degree is a significant value-add for our students and comes at no extra cost. We鈥檙e excited to offer this to all incoming 同城快约 undergraduate students.鈥�
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as a worker鈥檚 educational attainment rises, their earnings increase. 2024 data shows that the median annual earnings for workers with an associate degree are $8,788 more per year than those of workers with only a high school diploma. The unemployment rate is also one-third lower for those with an associate degree compared to high school graduates. Completing a bachelor鈥檚 degree offers the greatest financial opportunity for students.
鈥淲hile associate degrees are not the final destination,鈥� Vassar said, 鈥渢his new associate degree credential is an important demonstration of academic progress that our students will achieve during their educational journey with us. This addition enhances the value of a 同城快约 undergraduate degree and rewards our students鈥� progress and hard work toward graduating with a four-year degree.鈥�
All incoming 同城快约 students will automatically follow a pathway that qualifies them for an associate degree after completing the required coursework, unless they choose to opt out. Each embedded associate degree will include 40 hours of general education and 20 hours of bachelor鈥檚 degree coursework, with at least 30 hours completed at 同城快约.
