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What is the difference between an associate of arts in criminal justice and associate of applied science in criminal justice?
An associate of arts (AA) degree is an academic degree. With an AA, you can continue your education and earn a bachelor's degree. Most of he credits you accumulated in your AA… program will count toward your bachelor's degree. I say most because every college has their own degree requirements, and some won't accept all the credits from another institution. An associate of applied science (AAS) degree is a vocational degree. It is intended to prepare the student to go to work immediately upon graduation. In the case of a criminal justice degree, most graduates seek work as a law enforcement or corrections officer. Should you choose to go on with your education and work toward a bachelor's degree, many of your credits from the AAS program will not count toward the bachelor's degree requirements. AAS programs generally focus more on practical skills with less emphasis on traditional subjects like literature, composition, and math. Students who elect AAS over AA programs are often deficient in reading and writing skills and in mathematics. Reading and writing ability are essential to a law enforcement career, and you will be expected to be competent in these areas on the first day of your police training. The police academy can teach you how to write reports, but you must first be able to write clearly and effectively. Math skills teach you analysis and how to solve problems. If you are deficient in these areas, you are doing yourself no favors by opting for the easier course of study. (MORE)
