Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Acquisitions

If you like the idea of getting an associate’s degree that will put you on the path to a well paid, challenging career, then you might want to consider getting an associate’s degree in acquisitions.

Why Get An Associate’s Degree in Acquisitions?

Acquisitions is a business field that focuses on the buying and selling of a company’s goods and services to other companies and agencies. It also covers the complex area of corporate mergers.

Acquisition managers are in charge to setting up contracts for things like large scale IT projects, big construction investments, or corporate mergers. Think of the acquisitions field, which is also called contract management, as the “middlemen.” Acquisition professionals are skilled negotiators that work to procure goods ad services that will help their company do business and continue growing.

If you worked in this field you’d be the one hammering out the details to make sure the contract fit into your company’s best interests.

If you’re not that interested in business then this might sound a trifle boring. After all, seems like you’d mostly be filling out paperwork and making phone calls, right?

Well, you do spend a good deal of time in an office. But, you get paid very, very well to do it, and this is why so many people are interested in getting into acquisitions.

What You’ll Learn In A Contract Management Associate Degree Program

When you enroll to get your associate’s degree in contract management you’ll learn important skills like how to negotiate, how to be a good communicator, and how to write up complicated business contracts.

Some of the courses you might see when getting your acquisitions associate degree might include:

Purchasing and Materials Management
Principals of Federal Acquisition
Economics
Service Contracting
Cost and Price Analysis
Business Law

If you’d like to impress your future employers, you’d also do well to take additional courses in business ethics, public speaking, and a foreign language.

Careers in Acquisitions and Contract Management

It’s important to realize that, due to the complex nature of this field, getting an associate degree in acquisitions will probably just be enough to get your foot in the door, if that. If you like the field, it’s strongly advised that you continue with your education and get bachelor’s degree in Acquisitions.

It’s definitely worth the investment to stay in school. Why? Because you can earn a great living in this field.

Salary.com estimates that acquisition managers earn, on average, $132,000 to $196,000 annually. And, earnings can go much higher than that. Some headhunting sites list positions for acquisitions and contract managers with salaries topping $287,000.

But, you’re only going to earn salaries like this if you keep going with your education. Most experts agree that staying in school long enough to get your mba in acquisitions is the best way to earn top dollars in this field.

Another great thing about getting an acquisitions degree is that you can work in almost any industry. Every business needs contract managers, which gives you a great deal of flexibility in where you work.

Many acquisitions managers also work internationally, so if you think you’d like to work overseas then you’d do well to learn a foreign language. French, German, and Japanese would all be good choices to consider.

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information