General education programs generally have the goal of providing students with a solid grounding in life skills and global knowledge. Students who complete this program often look for entry-level work or continue their education in a specific subject.

Associate of Science degrees are similar to Associate of Arts degrees in that they are offered by community colleges and require general education classes. They differ in the fact that Associate of Science degrees require elective courses on specialized science subjects.

Part-time learning allows one to obtain a degree or qualification even if one cannot attend school on a full-time basis. One can learn at one's own pace, gradually accumulating credits that count towards a final qualification.