An associate degree typically requires the completion of about 60 semester credit hours, which usually corresponds to around 20 courses of 3 credits each. This is generally considered a two-year program of full-time study. The exact number of credits can vary slightly depending on the institution and the specific program, with some degrees requiring between 60 and 65 credits, and others up to 72 credits for certain applied science degrees. These credits include general education, major-specific courses, and electives