I went back, completed my original program and got a second associates within about 18 months. I also feel like I need some kind of education besides High School. But having an AA protects you from the units expiring. So a decent number of people go off to a vocational school for classes and come out with a degree (perhaps in bar-tending for example) that then turn out to be worthless. No certifications, but have had plenty of formal training, and read the latest industry books religiously. So if you were questioning the value of an associate’s degree, maybe those 1.6 million more potential jobs will change your mind! The core mission of /r/jobs is empowering job seekers and employees through the promotion of: their best interests, helpful and sound advice, and encouragement. Credits earned in an A.A.S. Having your AA preserves the units/course credits you have earned. Only the most general associate degree would fullfill the bachelor requirements of a 4 year university. On the other hand, only a handful of colleges teach useful skills that help in the real world and, unfortunately, some employers think a college degree means the graduate is smart, when, in reality, they are some of the dumbest people you can meet. First FT job was as a general network admin for 9 sites, and covered their servers, but also did help desk type work when needed. But I wish I'd had a different mindset back then. Useless? I can link the classes if anyone would like to see what each track offers. Interesting. However, If it's a technical degree you can land many well paying jobs with just an Associates. Source: I only have an AAS, yet I have a salaried position at a large ISP making over $60k a year at 25yo. Credits earned at an accredited institution do not expire, as a general rule. I know a lot of people think it'll be stupid but if for some reason I have to leave school I'll have something that's better than nothing. Some higher positions require a degree (or equivalent experience sometimes) that are more than the four years spent in undergrad. I currently run an AAS program that has been in this community for over 30 years. Everywhere I read people saying that Associates Degree is useless and won't get you a job. Undergraduate degrees today are getting more expensive by the second, so it pays to know just what the letters of your degree mean. What's the Difference between the AS and AAS Degree? It's gotten to the point that some close to me have let me not having a degree of some kind define my worth. A group of us were transferring and out of us only one wanted to get her Associate's degree. I trusted my mentor and didn't want to risk it. Press J to jump to the feed. An AA lays the groundwork for further education. Once you get past that, transfer your credits towards a BS. AAS = Associate of Applied Science. Sorry, that's a requirement for this position", That's the value of a degree. As long as the degree leads to licensure, one isn't any better than the other. AAS, or Associates in Applied Science, and AS, or Associates in Science, are degrees awarded in various capacities. Made up for my complacent HS years. From what I understand, AAS is intended to get you started in the field immediately whereas AS is for those who want to pursue a bachelor's or 4 year degree. Because a lot of people go to college but for various reasons are never going to finish a 4 year degree, so rather than having nothing to show for it they finish up an Associate degree because it's better than nothing. If you will be applying to some colleges that will accept your AA or AS as completing their general education requirements, it usually makes sense to finish the degree requirements. Those credits exist regardless of the degree. Much has been published recently about the value of a college degree over the long term. AAS vs AS. For some programs, associate degrees are offered because it is required by programmatic accreditors, Thompson said. This is somewhat misleading and not entirely accurate. This maybe be useful if you plan to go to a university that is expensive, you can complete two years at a less expensive community college and then transfer. An Associate's degree is both a backup, and cheaper overall. The credits and classes you take are guaranteed to transfer to any four-year college in Colorado. I agree with this. But your salary starts higher and will tend to max-out at a higher level with a degree than without one. 2. Associate degrees include some general studies courses, such as English and Psychology. I am also more of an in class learner, especially if there is lab work included. One thing my associate degree does is give me some confidence since it is a recognized marker of success and commitment. Exactly why I'm going out of my way this semester to get my AA, about half my credits currently won't even transfer to begin with, but an AA will. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree prepares graduates to enter a career immediately after graduation and have been considered terminal degrees. They may or may not transfer based on the destination college. How did you get a job in security in the first place..I got no degree but am currently working towards my A+.Meanwhile im working a low age retail type job.What would you reccomend?I only did one class of … Because of the hands-on focus, normally there will be practical activities in either program. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It also gives you a sense of accomplishment and maybe confidence, in terms of competing with people who only have high school diplomas. An A.S. degree focuses on liberal arts courses, along with business management. As someone getting their associates in NYC in CSc, would you suggest anything? 72 votes, 48 comments. This means that usually to earn these degrees, even online learning will not be done completely over the computer. I enrolled in May of this year, needing to earn 34 credit hours in order to earn the BSN degree. I learned a lot because it was super hands on and had more technical classes than general education classes. One program, with a requisite 90 credit hours, costs more than $35,000. (Religion.......). Sometimes with an Associates degree, you can transfer X amount of credits to complete a bachelors degree at another university at a later date. The AA is a universal measure of 2 years of college throughout the US. If you want cheaper credits, you need to consult the destination college for which credits are applicable to which programs. My local community college offers a few technical associates degrees focused on networking. 1. Get Free Aas Degree Vs As Degree now and use Aas Degree Vs As Degree immediately to get % off or $ off or free shipping The A.A. is best for those planning to pursue four-year majors that fall under Liberal Arts (such as art, art history, psychology, history, English, philosophy, and theater). TL;DR Company college program still poses financial risk, should I pursue the cheaper and shorter Technical A.A.S networking degrees at a community college. degree is more vocationally related and usually is not transferable. We all have that friend or relative who got a less-than-useful degree and is stuck working a low-paying job. Not the knowledge you gain because of it, but the issue of "one less thing that can be used against you". The A.A. is a two-year degree that’s designed to transfer to a four-year school. Refer to individual AAS programs to learn degree requirements in addition to these general requirements. ADN = Associate Degree in Nursing. Just check before you sign on up! You must mean an AAS in programming or whatever your CC calls it. You may wonder, what are the advantages and disadvantages of earning an associate of arts degree (AA) versus an associate of science degree (AS)? I have an associates degree from a technical college as well. An Associate of Applied Science, or AAS Degree, is a two-year undergraduate degree similar to the Associate of Arts (AA) and the Associate of Science (AS). Also, being able to say that you have a degree -- even if it's not a Bachelors -- still puts you a step above those with just high school education. Do your research to determine which associate degree in business management is right for you. Because of the more focused curriculum, diploma programs generally take less time to complete than associate degrees. as a professional software developer with 20+ years experience; My POV on this issue is the fact the number of times I have heard; "You don't have a degree? There is really no such thing as AAS in EE or Mech Eng for example. Helped me get into a good state school and eventually graduate. Also there are a lot of trade/vocational schools that offer degrees from wielding to dental assistant, HVAC tech, etc. In places like the US, a Bachelor of Science degree is centered on the sciences and technical studies. I now have an AA and my BA as of May :). I would try and get the AAS degree first. I actually have a Master's Degree, but I'm going back this Fall to a community college for an AA in another field. I must pay up front before classes even start. An AAS degree in electrical engineering technology provides job seekers with career opportunities as electronic or electrical technicians. pre-major requirements: 66 credits When I reentered the workforce after 5 year hiatus being a housewife, I couldn't land a position that paid more than $10.00 an hour in 1998. Computer science is one of those degrees where people with experience can destroy the people with the degrees. The difference between Herzing’s associate degree options (AS, AAS) is in name only based on state requirements. This is a really good point that no one brings up at all. It was cheap. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. It also may be useful if you can only complete two years of university due to work/family commitments, then if you decide to go back to complete your degree, you may be able to continue where you left off instead of completely starting over. AA stands for Associate of Arts, AS stands for Associate of Science, and AAS stands for Associate of Applied Science.. I went to my local CC and got an AAS in Network Administration. Long story. My AAS, however, was the degree that lead to my being eligible for the NCLEX and licensure. 2. Engineering degrees are usually 4+ yrs in length (depending on where you are located) and lead to a Bachelors degree. Convinced that earning an AAS degree is the right choice for you? That way you won't have to spend time (and money) in college on those gen ed courses - you will be able to skip ahead to classes that are more meaningful for your degree, or just more interesting to you. I stopped going to community college when I got married (both the marriage and stopping my education were mistakes). People who searched for Computer Science Associate vs. Bachelors Degree: What's the Difference found the following information and resources relevant and helpful. It's not just the company's whim, it may also be their insurance policy which rewards them for only employing degreed workers. It's not worthless if you learn something in class. Well my mentor gave our group a major lecture about how important getting that AA degree is even if you decide not to walk. The AAS degree is designed for students who want to go straight into the workforce whereas the AA and AS are designed as transfer degrees. But that’s not the case for many associate’s degree holders. With two AA degrees in 2003, I was able to finally get positions that started at $40K a year. But I realized I have no way of coming up with the other 58% tuition that isn't covered by the company, even with financial aid, and even if I wait for January. At some schools, an AS might be associated with a program that is accredited so that you can sit for the NCLEX after completion. I'm not terribly familiar with the differences (and I will be talking to an advisor at the school). There are many job opportunities due to constant changes and upgrades in electronics, from audio and video equipment to computers and programmable logic controls used by many businesses. I was like ok, I support her but for me I have no interest in walking and this is just a mile marker in my long journey of higher education. Occupational Degrees: The AAA and AAS Degrees. Its what im currently doing. AOS and AAS degrees can be earned online or in a classroom, and from many vocation schools, technical schools and community colleges. ASN = Associate of Science in Nursing. 3. I would not want anything to happen to this program, considering that I have ran it for 19 of the 30 years and have taken complete ownership of it! I know it'll be reimbursed, however I already have debts to pay off and I really don't want to take out a loan and risk putting myself in more debt. There are likely more specific job opportunities for someone with an AS. Online programs may cost more because they require more credits, and their tuition is based on credit hours taken. If it's in a bullshit field, then perhaps. Most schools will accept transfer credits so long as: The credits earned match an existing course, and. Everywhere I read people saying that Associates Degree is useless and won't get you a job. Even though I possess an ASN degree that was conferred by a trade school, I was still able to enroll in an RN-to-BSN degree completion program. An A.A.S. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not lazy and it's it's a great opportunity, but it poses a financial risk in the current situation I'm in (Long Story). When talking about the curriculum, the AS degree mainly focuses on liberal arts, and the topics include English, science, math, social science and history. I attended a community college prior to transferring to a 4-year university. Some of these degrees (and degrees from specific schools) are valuable and will get you a job, while others are worthless. The main difference between the A.S. and the A.A.S. All acronyms represent different names for associate degrees. Agree with James as far as a degree being a "filter," although not having a bachelors is probably more relevant and common. Students searching for Associate in Applied Science (AAS): Accounting Degree Overview found the following information and resources relevant and helpful. However, associates that are targeted with specific job titles like Nursing and Medical Radiography are fantastic and absolutely required no matter what because those fields are so regulated. An "engineer" with an AAS is most likely to be classified as an engineering technician or a mere technician. Students must complete a specific program in order to receive the AAS degree. is the emphasis placed on occupational training. r/Jobs is not for job listings. The Loading...Associate in General Studies (AGS) degree is designed for those individuals who wish to choose a vocational/technical course of study suited to their unique needs. I have very mixed feelings about the AAS vs BS. There are differences between an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science degree. Do you guys recommend one over the other? Wall of text ahead, please excuse my personal story bits, and possible bad formatting. I hardly ever see jobs requiring an associates. Got an assoc after not giving a shit in HS. Both degrees include studies that will allow a student to go on and earn a bachelor's degree in art or science. The field hasn't changed too much since your credits were earned. It sucks to hear but you. I'd really like some input on the best path to take. One is Microsoft focused another is Cisco focused, and there is another that just focuses on network administration in general. Why do people get it I don't … I think not. For example, if I transferred my community college credits to a 4 year without an AA, if anything ever caused me to take 2 years off of school prior to completing my BA, my units would essentially expire and I would have to re-take many if not all of the courses. First I'm getting my CompTIA A+ cert before the end of this year and then I plan to pursue a degree. Hey everyone I've been lurking here for a while and I finally found my Reddit voice. A Bachelor of Applied Science degree program usually leans towards professional development and advanced technical training in the sciences. They offer both an AAS and AS degree in the field. Recently when job hunting last year, seems the market has changed where 4 year degrees seem to be the minimum. Before enrolling, know the difference between an A.A. vs. A.S. to get the most from college. Would it be worthwhile to pursue any of these degrees, and would it hold any kind of weight or credibility in the IT world? Those vocational associate degrees won't transfer easily to bachelor degrees, but they're the most valuable if it's the end of the line. Primarily, these programs could lead to either an Associate of Applied Arts (AAA) or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. You could have higher earning potential. Why didn't I purse college right out of HS? Its coursework is heavy in Math and Science, which students are required to fulfill. Having the AA is beneficial, though, for a few reasons. I tried to find a technical breakdown of this as evidence, no luck. Requirements to Earn an AAS Degree. I'm 22 years old now and I've decided I've wanted to pursue the networking area of IT. You get your core courses done (English, math, science, etc.). It really depends on the degree. An associate degree program at a community college can cost less than $10,000. It'll be cheaper in the long run with financial aid, and it also focuses specifically on what I want. I was going to go for the online bachelors degree program that Starbucks offers, I can start in October, or January. Her reasons were because she was a teen mom, had worked really hard to go back to school and felt like it was a huge accomplishment for herself. Pursuing an associate degree can increase your income potential and set you on a path to bigger and better things. An AAS in Paralegal Studies can get you a job making anywhere from 20k to 40k a year as an entry-level paralegal. Then the next step is for you to know whether or not you are eligible to attend a school offering the Associate of Applied Science program. You can enter the IT/IS career field without a degree. A student in a bachelor's degree program who drops out after 90 credits (three years) still has no degree. Associate of Science (AS) This Program is designed to prepare for bachelor level Social Work or Human Services related programs, the AS in Human Services: Builds a foundation of knowledge and skills in many course areas Why do people get it I don't understand if it is so useless? Right now, I need to prove it to myself and others close to me that I can finish something like this . It's typically easier to transfer to a four year institution with an AA in hand, especially if the school is in the same state. Not to mention I'd rather save for a car, because I have a serious need for one as of now. An "Information Systems" degree program should expose you to multiple high-level concepts of a technology environment, and help you understand how they all fit together. ore than a degree in this field. I had a friend that did a CS degree but decided to take just java for his programming section he barley passed, goofed around and spent 5 years doing it. How can it be a so useless. program may not transfer to a four-year school. But really, the biggest benefit to AA degrees is that you get your first two years of your bachelor's knocked out for a fraction of the price. This is great to know because I am thinking of someday pursuing a Master's as well in this new field to go into the research side of things, but not for at least several years after. Some online associates degrees could provide a stand-alone credential upon successful completion of the program requirements. The Associate of Science and the Associate of Applied Science degrees are excellent choices for career-minded individuals. 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