A degree that can be earned in 2–3 years, typically from online or community colleges. The credits earned from this degree can usually be transferred to a 4-year bachelor’s degree. Many states have (or are developing) direct pipelines to support the transfer of credits from community colleges to 4-year state schools. Students seeking engineering degrees may begin their path in a community college and then transfer to complete a four-year degree. An associate degree is not necessary to complete a bachelor of engineering.