Which degree generally requires 2 years of study?

An Associate's degree is designed to be completed in approximately two years of full-time study. This degree typically encompasses a combination of general education courses and specialized classes in a specific field, allowing students to gain foundational knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level positions or for transferring to a four-year institution to pursue a Bachelor's degree.

In contrast, a Bachelor's degree generally requires four years of study, a Master's degree involves an additional one to two years beyond a Bachelor's, and a Doctorate degree usually necessitates several years of study and research beyond a Master's level. Therefore, the structure and requirements of each degree highlight why the Associate's degree is the one that typically corresponds to a two-year study timeline.