Your Smart First Step: Associate Degree
If you are in Grade 11 or 12, you have probably heard the same question over and over. “What are you doing after graduation?”
University can feel exciting, but it can also feel expensive, long, and a little overwhelming. The good news is that there is more than one path to a successful career. One option more students are starting to consider is an associate degree. Now, students in Atlantic Canada have a new option: The ADBA, Associate Degree in Business Administration.
This program is designed to help you build real business skills, start your career sooner, and still keep the door open for a bachelor degree later.
What is an Associate Degree?
An Associate degree is a post-secondary program that takes 19 months to complete at Oulton College. It gives you a mix of foundational level courses in business, economics, marketing and finance plus focused courses in your area of study. It is a step beyond high school, but shorter and often more affordable than a traditional four-year university degree.
Think of the Associate degree as a high-altitude base camp. Some people try to hike the entire mountain in one go and get burnt out before they reach the view. With an Associate degree, you reach a major peak in half the time.
Once you’re there, you have a choice: plant your flag, start your career right away and gain your return on investment, or use that momentum to keep climbing. Either way, you’ve already conquered the mountain.
So, what is the ADBA?
The ADBA (Associate Degree in Business Administration) is built for students who are interested in the world of business but are not sure they want to commit to four years right away.
In this program, you learn practical skills that employers are actually looking for, such as:
- Business communication
- Marketing basics
- Accounting fundamentals
- Management and leadership skills
- Understanding how real organizations work.
Instead of only learning theory, you focus on skills you can use in real jobs.
Why does this path makes sense for many Atlantic Canadian students?
Students in Atlantic Canada often face a big decision. Stay close to home or move away for school. Spend four years studying or start working sooner. Take on large student loans or look for a more affordable option.
The ADBA can help with those concerns.
⏱️You finish faster:
In 19 months, you can earn a recognized post-secondary credential and start working earlier than many of your peers.
💰It can cost less:
Fewer years in school often means lower overall tuition and living costs. That can make a big difference for you and your family.
📈Greater return on Investment:
By entering the workforce sooner, you start earning and paying off loans earlier. It’s a head start on your financial future.
💼You gain job-ready skills:
This is not just general education. You are learning business skills that apply to jobs in offices, small businesses, large companies, and even your own future business.
🎓You still have university as an option :
If you decide later that you want a bachelor degree, your associate degree can often be used as a stepping stone. That means you do not have to start from the beginning.
What kind of careers can this lead to?
An ADBA can prepare you for roles in areas like:
- Business Analytics
- Marketing and Public Relations
- Financial Services and Accounting
- Resource Management and Allocation
It is also a great choice if you see yourself becoming an entrepreneur one day and want to understand how business really works.
Who should consider the ADBA?
This program could be a great fit if you:
- Want to start your career sooner rather than later
- Are interested in business but still exploring your options
- Prefer a smaller step before committing to a four-year degree
- Want a more affordable path into post-secondary education
- Like the idea of studying close to home in Atlantic Canada
Final Thoughts
There is no single “right” path after high school. What matters is choosing a path that fits your goals, your learning style, and your life.
The Associate Degree in Business Administration offers a practical, flexible way to start your journey in business. You can build real skills, earn a respected credential, and keep your future options open at the same time.
That is not settling for less. That is making a smart, strategic start. Still have questions about whether an Associate Degree or the ADBA is right for you? That is totally normal. Big decisions deserve real conversations. If you want to learn more or just talk through your options, email me at [email protected]. I would truly love to chat and help you figure out your next step.
Tina Singh PhD. in Retail Marketing
Director of Business Programs at Oulton College.
Secure your spot in the next ADBA cohort!
Designed for students who are ready to lead, create, and succeed on their own terms.
Whether you want to enter the workforce in under two years or build a solid foundation for a future degree, your journey starts with Oulton College.
*Please note that information may be subject to modifications. We encourage current and prospective students to visit the websites and speak to Admissions Advisors, in order to obtain the most recent information.
