The bottom portion of Table 1 contains information pertaining
to the educational attainment and labor market outcomes
I examine. Credential recipients earn close to 70 credits
after welfare entry. The majority of these women earn
a short-term vocational certificate, which require between
15 to 30 credits (one to two semesters of full-time attendance),
14% earn a certificate requiring between 30 and 60
credits (two to three semesters of full-time attendance), and
28% earn an associate degree.15 Associate degrees require between
60 and 90 credits of coursework. Associate of arts and
associate of general studies (AA/AGS) degrees are designed
for students who intend to transfer to a four-year program,
and while these degrees may be awarded in specific areas
(e.g., agricultural science), the vast majority are liberal arts
degrees. Conversely, associate of applied science (AAS) degrees
are terminal and apply to specific, primarily technical
fields.