Now let us look at the inherent differences between the degrees: Associates of Arts (AA) The Associates of arts is really designed as a fully transferable degree to a four year college or university for those pursing a Bachelors degree. On this page, readers can explore the differences between AA, AS, and AAS degrees. Ask about the federal work-study programs, and see if you qualify for a scholarship. You usually need approximately 60 credits for an associate degree, according to FRANK. Below are some common AAS degree programs: If youre debating between an Associate of Science and an Associate of Applied Science, consider how each degree could serve you. degree usually takes four years. 3 0 obj Whats the Difference Between An Associates Degree, a Bachelors Degree, and a Masters Degree? See a list of all FNUs A.A. and A.S. programs at the bottom. The main difference between an associates degree, a bachelors degree, and a masters degree is the level of education you will receive. This has promoted the myth, that all AAS degrees are not transferable to four year colleges and universities. At least two years of professional experience in new product development, o r. A high school diploma (or . Associate of Arts Degree: What is the Difference? I dropped out from a CSU uni years ago and im going back to a CC to continue with my education, the question I have is above. Keep reading to learn more about each type of degree and which one might be better for you. In fact, in some categories it was almost like starting over. AS degrees are also ideal for students who, they want to earn a bachelors degree, but dont have the financial resources or academic record to immediately enroll in a four-year college. Specialized technical or vocational coursework. Entry requirements for an associate program are often less stringent than those for a bachelors program. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesnt affect our editors opinions. While the degrees are similar at the core, they differ slightly in terms of approach and specialties offered. In other words, Business AA to Business BA, Engineering AS, to Engineering AS etc. Score: 4.5/5 (55 votes) . In the state of PA, you are eligible to sit for the NCLEX RN licensing exam with an associates degree or a diploma from an RN diploma program. The Experiential Network empowers you to integrate your learning in a real-world setting. A culinary student takes many hospitality- and culinary-related courses, for instance. Whereas in the A.A. track students are given more freedom in their electives, in the A.S. track students are required to complete a specific set of computer science and business accounting classes such as: as well as other business courses such as: The graph below might help you make a strategic decision: Source: Table of the number of associates degrees conferred by post-secondary institutions in selected fields of study: from 2000-2016. To limit this time, students have the option to enroll in summer session courses. | FEIN: 87-4741902 | California Transfer Support Network is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Early childhood education and marketing are examples of technical programs that usually require lab or field experience. Associate's degrees usually require the completion of 60-70 credit hours of coursework, while bachelor's degrees typically require the completion of 120-130 credit hours. AS degrees are typically offered at technical colleges and subjects, often leading to careers in specific fields, such as engineering or nursing. AS degrees are considered transfer degrees because they provide an academic foundation for students to transfer to a four-year school and earn their bachelors. General associate and technical degrees are very different, most specifically in the intent of someone who earns one or the other. stream The type of job you can get with each degree will vary depending on your chosen field, but generally, a bachelors degree or higher will open up more doors in terms of job opportunities. What is the Difference Between a Master's Degree and an Educational Specialist Degree? While you can continue school with a technical degree, a general education degree more commonly leads to a transfer to a four-year school. You can also find work in the healthcare field as a medical assistant or certified nurse assistant. When choosing between an AS and AAS degree, it is important to consider your long-term goals and whether you want to pursue a career right away or plan to transfer to a four-year school. AA degrees focus on liberal arts and subjects in the humanities, while AS degrees focus on more technical skills and subjects (i.e., engineering, chemistry, etc.). However to complete the degree within two years, the student must take the program as prescribed within the schools curriculum layout. On the other hand, a Diploma focuses mainly on the specific skills of a student. In general, the Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree is intended to focus your study toward liberal arts while the Associate in Science (A.S.) degree is intended to focus your study toward math and science. A Diploma can be said to be a document awarded to a student after completion of a course. An Associate of Arts degree typically takes two years to complete. Choosing to enroll in an associate degree program is an excellent way to test out a career, enter a program that will give you the credentials you need to start working at a higher salary and paving the way for a full bachelors degree. . Some schools actually offer a blend of general education and technical programs with AA degrees in a particular field, such as business or marketing. For example, if you want to be an engineer, you would earn an AS in engineering. Associate of Arts (A.A.) The Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree program covers a wide array of liberal arts topics, such as English, Sciences, Sociology, Humanities, Visual Arts, and the like. endobj Someone earning a liberal arts or general education degree takes the bulk of his courses in these areas, with some electives sprinkled in. Download ebook now and learn about soft skills. These credits usually transfer to another institution upon completion of the program. While one-on-one with a professor and classmates is a great experience, sometimes we know its not possible in life. How Long Does it Take to Get an AA and AS Degree? The Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T) is a specific degree program for students who want to transfer to a four-year institution and complete a bachelors degree. Unlike AS degrees, which are more academic in nature, AAS degree programs are more oriented around skills-based training. Her full bio and clips can be seen at www.vegaswriter.com. What Are The Benefits of an AA and AS Degree? To sum up, the difference between an associate degree and an associate for transfer is that the latter credential is most useful for individuals looking to pursue a bachelors degree and want guaranteed admission and priority consideration for their major at a four-year college or university. The biggest difference between an Associate of Science (AS) and an Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) is that the AS degree is a transfer degree. Overall, the primary difference between an AA and AS degree resides in the subject matter and material each degree focuses on. Check out our guide on, Although AS degrees are often stepping stones to a bachelors degree, they can also be used to find a job after graduation. As noted, the credits earned in an associate degree program can often be applied to a bachelors degree program, especially those that work in partnership with community colleges. With an Associates degree, a student has to study many things outside his major, like basic English, history, humanities and mathematics. New England Institute of Technology: What Is a Technical Degree and Why Is It Beneficial? On the other hand, someone who is looking for a specific career may find that an AS degree gives them a leg up in the job market. Youll also gain valuable experience that can help you advance professionally and set yourself apart from other job seekers. An associates degree holder might have a job as a medical assistant, certified nurse assistant, or administrative assistant. Beginning Postsecondary Student Survey, 2004-09) on three outcomes for community college students with and without online education experiences. (For more information on transferring to Northeastern from a Community College, click here.). As its name suggests, the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree will gear you towards math and science-related careers while the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree pretty much encompasses all other fields. The credits earned can later be applied to a bachelors degree. Even with historically low unemployment rates, American workers with associate degrees are more likely to get jobs than their counterparts who only graduated from high school or obtained certificates. For example, you could work as a customer service representative, office administrator, or retail sales associate. AAS Credits Not Transferable All the Time Additional coursework can also help students adapt to a changing work environment, Jackson says. You may have heard of an AA or an AS degree but dont quite understand the difference. As noted, an associate degree can generally be completed in two years whereas a bachelor's degree takes around four years to complete. Of these units, at least 48 must be completed at the community college where you are earning your degree. Theyre also both great degrees for students who want to obtain the education they need to quickly launch their careers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median weekly earnings of a bachelors degree holder are $1,334, which equates to nearly $69,400 a year. Typically, associates degrees are offered through community colleges. For those with an associate degree, the weekly median earnings are $963, or just over $50,000 a year. This degree guarantees admission to a four-year college or university and priority consideration for the students chosen major. Thus, within this degree students will be required to have a well rounded educational foundation to include, English literature, history, social science, laboratory science, humanities, math, communications, etc. Some coworkers have an associates and others have BSNs . Related: Associate Degrees: Credits Needed & Time to Completion. Also see:Top alternatives to four-year colleges. You can expect to complete general education or core curriculum courses in a range of fields (including fine arts, language arts, science, and history) as well as mandatory and elective courses related to your major. General studies approach that does not focus on a particular job, set of skills, or declared major. This means that the coursework is designed to give you a well-rounded education without specializing in any particular area. The main difference between these two types of associate degrees is in the focus of the coursework. Thus, a student who plans to enter the workforce right away is more suited to a technical degree. AAS degrees are better suited for students who are certain about their career path. Students must complete at least 60 credit hours, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0, and complete 18 credits related to their chosen major in order to graduate. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and Associate of Science (AS) degrees are both great options for students interested in a career related to science, technology, engineering, or math. It serves to complete most of the four year institutions general education cluster area, which amounts to the first two years of a four year program. In essence, A.A. degrees are of a more general nature and can help students further their education or enter various occupational fields. Kimberley McGee is an award-winning journalist with 20+ years of experience writing about education, jobs, business trends and more for The New York Times, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Todays Parent and other publications. The chart shows the number of associate degrees that students earned from the year 2000 to 2016. Key Differences Technical programs usually have higher costs than general education degrees. Many associate programs are also available through online classes. Our marketing partners dont review, approve or endorse our editorial content. In 2019, the American Council on Education published a research study that underscored the importance of associate degrees as a means to improve socioeconomic status. This is to ensure the student has the appropriate basic skills to succeed at the college level. As for the frustrating issue of the gender wage gap in the American workplace, researchers from the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce have noted that women can. Our admissions counselors can tell you more about the FNU degree programs you can complete online; these programs are ideal for working adults, contact us today for more information. A Diploma is usually given in vocational or professional courses, like designing, pharmacy and engineering. Both AA and AS degrees are two-year programs that can be completed at a community college, technical school, or online college. In 2019, the American Council on Education. Technical programs usually have higher costs than general education degrees. and make their paychecks more attractive by earning degrees in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, and a great way to start is by pursuing A.S. degrees. For example, FNU offers two accounting associate degrees; you can choose between either an A.A. or A.S. in accounting. The key differences between an associate degree and a bachelor's degree include program length, program focus, earning potential, program costs, and career opportunities: Program Length: Most full-time associate degrees will take 2 years to complete, while most full-time bachelor's degrees will take 4 years to complete. Let's take a few minutes and compare the two now. An associate degree involves a two-year college education. Community colleges, which offer associate degree programs, generally offer more evening and weekend classes than traditional colleges and universities in order to accommodate working adults. An associates degree requires 60 credits to complete and usually takes about two years to earn. |, What Is an Associate Degree? Kimberley McGee - Updated May 17, 2019. Choosing between AS and AAS degrees comes down to what your present and future plans areare you on the road to a four- year college degree, or do you want to enter the workforce asap? Today, theres an emphasis on digital communication. The Math includes Computation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, fractions, square roots, and percentages), and the equivalent of a high school Algebra I. For these reasons, AAS degrees are a solid option for students who want to maximize their time in the workforce and minimize their time in school. Lets say two Florida National University (FNU) students move out of state and want to take advantage of a Business Administration scholarship program; a student who obtained an A.A. in this field may not have to deal with prerequisites while the one who chose the A.S. track may have no choice but to take extra courses. To make the transfer process easier, many community colleges have agreements with four-year schools. The good news is that many community colleges offer flexible scheduling options that can help you fit your coursework into your busy life. On average, associate degrees are approximately 64 credit hours in length. Today this is not so. Can a Degree in Science Transition to a Nursing Degree? Associate degrees are ideal for people keen on skilled trade work, criminal justice careers, information technology jobs, and nursing positions. The debate between getting an AA or AS degree has been around for a while. The Biotech A2M Scholars Program is an accelerated pathway for students from an associate to a master's degree in biotechnology. In both cases, part-time students would take longer to earn their degree. For example, students in a carpentry program will spend most of their time learning how to build homes instead of taking unrelated liberal arts courses. Both prepare students to transfer into a bachelor's program in social work. Generally, you will need to complete at least 60 credit hours, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 and earn 18 credits related to your major in order to graduate with an AS degree. * Associates of Arts (AA) * Associates of Science (AS) * Associates of Applied Science (AAS) Each of the above degrees is designed to be completed after two years of study. While one-on-one with a professor and classmates is a great experience, sometimes we know its not possible in life. If they want to go to a new job, we try to drastically cut down the learning curve. On the contrary, an Associate degree is strictly two years. A journalism major, for example, could minor in political science. An Associates degree provides many great benefits. Occupations in the healthcare industry currently take up most of the 20 top paying jobs in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Due to the required course load, earning a bachelor's degree will typically cost more than obtaining an associate degree, on average, $25,000-$35,000 per year. An AA degree covers a broad range of topics, including English, math, science, social sciences, and humanities.