What is the difference between an Associates in Arts and Science and an Associates in Applied Arts and Science?

Answer 1

It's not that one is better than the other, it's just that they are somewhat different in approach to a specific field of study. Read the following for a better understanding on the differences between associate degrees. What is the difference between Associates of Arts, Associates of Science, and Associates of Applied Science? Associate degrees fall into three main areas. * 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 as a full-time student and provided the student takes the degree as prescribed by the college. In addition, most every community college requires that every incoming student be placement tested before they register for their first semester (unless they fall into an exemption category). This test is not an admissions test and has no bearing on a student's acceptance to the college. In fact, most students have already been accepted to the school before they take the test. It is not a test that is passed or failed, but simply to determine whether an individual needs to take some refresher courses before entering college level coursework. This is to ensure the student has the appropriate basic skills to succeed at the college level. The test is broken down into four parts; two parts English and two parts mathematics. The English includes grammar (sentence sense), and reading comprehension. The math includes computation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, fractions, square roots, and percentages), and the equivalent of a high school algebra I. If the student scores low in any these areas, then they will be required to enroll in the indicated remedial course/s starting with their first semester. Thus, the two year degree plan may turn into a two and a half year, or possibly a three year plan depending on how much remedial work is needed.To limit this time, students have the option to enroll in summer session courses. 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. 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. It also serves to complete any perquisite courses needed for the four year institutions curriculum major and minor requirements. Students are admitted to Junior level status provided they have completed the matching associate's level degree. In other words, Business AA to Business BA, Engineering AS, to Engineering AS etc. 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. These courses are in addition to the student's major field of study. Associates of Science (AS) Within the AS degrees a student will notice there are less general education requirements, and more career oriented course work. You will find this in curriculums to include, Nursing, Engineering, some Computer Science and Allied Heath fields. Still, these programs should be fully transferable to four year institutions provided the degree matches that of the four year college or university's program of study, as mentioned above under AA degrees. Associates in Applied Science (AAS) The AAS degrees are very career oriented and designed to give the student all the expertise needed for entry level positions upon completion of the degree. Therefore, the student will notice most of the AAS degree is made up of professional phase courses particular to a specific field, and a very limited number of general education courses. This has promoted the myth, that all AAS degrees are not transferable to four year colleges and universities. I will admit, as the degree was originally designed; transferability was not the original intent of this type of degree. Therefore many AAS degree fields of study did not transfer to four year institutions very well. In fact, in some categories it was almost like starting over. Today this is not so. Community Colleges today have what is known as Joint Admissions or Dual Admissions articulations with four year institutions, where if the student completes the agreed upon program of study successfully, the four year institution will take the degree full faith in credit and grant the student Junior level status. This includes AAS degrees. However, it is strongly recommended that a student who is seeking to transfer to a four year institution at a later date, make an appointment with a Transfer Counselor at the Community College for the pros and cons of AAS transfer as well as and more detailed information.

Answer 2

An Associate of Arts (A.A.) program is a two-year course of study that covers the core materials needed to complete the first two years of a four-year bachelor's degree. The A.A. program for each area parallels the State University System's curriculum. The credits that you earn can be transferred to a four-year college or university of your choice. The A.A. degree is the credential earned when you have successfully completed your two-year course of study.

The Associate in Science (A.S.) program can be one or two years long, depending on your chosen course of study. A.S. programs provide you with the knowledge necessary to perform and excel in a particular profession. Some of the credits earned in an A.S. degree program can be transferred to a four-year college or university. Unlike the A.A. degree, however, the A.S. curriculum is not considered equal to the first two years of a bachelors degree.

If you are planning to become a teacher, most states require a bachelor's degree, so that is something to keep in mind when choosing what associate's degree to get.

More information:

Whether an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or Associates of Applied science is fully transferable or not, is strictly dependent on the receiving institution. Most community colleges have special articulations with four year colleges and universities. Some have what is known as Joint Admission Programs, and Dual Admissions Programs. These articulations state, that if a student completes the agreed upon program of study successfully, the four year institution will then accept that student full faith in credit, and grant that student Junior level status. This includes some programs in the AS, and AAS, areas. You must check with the Transfer Counselor at the community college for detail on these agreements. For example, Union County College in New Jersey has articulation agreements with, Rutgers University, the University of Medicine and Dentistry, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Seton Hall University, Stevens, Drew etc. These institutions - I only mentioned a few - will accept the two year AA, AS, and AAS degrees full faith in credit as long as the program is within the articulation agreement.

That being said, the AS, in education will be more career oriented, however whether it will be transferable as full faith in credit is up to the four year institution you are applying to. You can also contact the four year school of your choice and ask to speak to an enrollment specialist to determine what program and degree at the two year college will be acceptable in the way of transfer to that school.

I will stress once again; check with the Transfer Counselor at the community college for more detailed information.

Answer 3

Associate of Applied Science degree prepares you to enter straight into a career field or pursue a four-year degree at a college or university A.A - Associate of Arts degree is the credential you earn after completing 2 years of study. The presumption for an A.A is that you want to continue your education to a 4-year college. A.A.S - Associate of Applied Sciencedegree that prepares you to enter straight into a career field or pursue a four-year degree at a college or university;

A.A - Associate of Arts degree is the credential you earn after completing 2 years of study. The presumption for an A.A is that you want to continue your education to a 4-year college.

Answer 4

Associates of Arts (AA)

The AA has a broader scope, with a strong emphasis on the humanities, theoretical and general knowledge in a recognized discipline, interdisciplinary field, or of a professional study. If you look at the AA, you will find that the programs specific to many areas have a well rounded general education mix. This is to ensure - for transfer purposes to a four year college or university - that they satisfy the four year institutions first two year general cluster area.

Associates of Science (AS)

The AS is more of a focused approach with a science base to include a balance of liberal arts, technological knowledge, math and computer oriented skills, and practical skills needed for a particular discipline within the field. With the AS you will find that there are less general education requirements and more career oriented courses required to complete the degree. I guess one example would be an AS in Nursing (RN). Here, the general education course requirements are less because of the professional phase courses that are needed to complete the degree. Thus, you can see that the AS degree is more specific to the career.

Associates of Applied Science (AAS)

Here the program of study is very particular to the career, with even less general education requirements needed to complete the degree. In other words, the AAS is designed to give an individual all the expertise necessary to enter their chosen career - at least at an entry level position. That being said; please note the following.

In regards to the above, please check with the Transfer Counselor at the two year college as to the transferability of the AS, and AAS degrees to four year colleges and universities should you want to pursue a higher degree at a later date. Many of the two year colleges have special articulations with the four year schools for many programs, to include those which fall into the AS and AAS categories.

Answer 5

An associates of arts (AA) and associates in science (AS) degrees are typically designed for transfer to a four year college or university. Therefore, these degrees have a strong liberal arts emphasis and include a good balance of humanities, social science, written communication along with the exact sciences especially in higher level math. They also have the foundational course work needed as prerequisites for the higher level courses at the four year institution to include, Accounting I and II, Intro to Business, Business law, Economics, etc. The associates in applied science (AAS), is really a very career oriented program designed to give all the expertise necessary to enter the workforce at the end of the two years. It is much less concerned on transfer. Therefore, the emphasis is on courses that are particular to the field and much less on the humanities, social science, English and math. For those interested in business, this type of degree looks very inviting, however, if the student wishes to pursue a bachelors degree at a later date; it does not transfer very well at all, unless the particular two year institution has special articulations with four year colleges and universities. This is why it is very important for student to keep in contact with career counselors at the institution they a attending. Make sure you have a total understanding of the career options available to you.

Answer 6

Answer One is an award for successfully completing a course in field of science (Biology, computers, environment etc) and the other in the much wider field of arts (history, geography, business etc).

Answer 7

The Associates of arts is designed as a fully transferable degree to a four year college or university for those pursing a Bachelors degree. It serves to complete most of the four year institution's general education cluster area, which amounts to the first two years of a four year program. It also serves to complete any perquisite courses needed for the four year institutions curriculum major and minor requirements. Students are admitted to Junior level status provided they have completed the matching associate's level degree. In other words, Business AA to Business BA, Engineering AS, to Engineering AS etc. 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. These courses are in addition to the student's major field of study.

Within the AS degrees there are less general education requirements, and more career oriented course work. This curriculum may specialize in nursing, engineering, some computer science and Allied Heath fields. Still, these programs should be fully transferable to four year institutions provided the degree matches that of the four year college or university's program of study.

Answer 8

It's not that one in better than the other, it's just that they are different approaches to career goals and objectives. Read the following for the differences in the associate degree category.

What is the difference between Associates of Arts, Associates of Science, and Associates of Applied Science? Associate degrees fall into three main areas. * 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 as a full-time student and provided the student takes the degree as prescribed by the college. In addition, most every community college requires that every incoming student be placement tested before they register for their first semester (unless they fall into an exemption category). This test is not an admissions test and has no bearing on a student's acceptance to the college. In fact, most students have already been accepted to the school before they take the test. It is not a test that is passed or failed, but simply to determine whether an individual needs to take some refresher courses before entering college level coursework. This is to ensure the student has the appropriate basic skills to succeed at the college level. The test is broken down into four parts; two parts English and two parts mathematics. The English includes grammar (sentence sense), and reading comprehension. The math includes computation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, fractions, square roots, and percentages), and the equivalent of a high school algebra I. If the student scores low in any these areas, then they will be required to enroll in the indicated remedial course/s starting with their first semester. Thus, the two year degree plan may turn into a two and a half year, or possibly a three year plan depending on how much remedial work is needed.To limit this time, students have the option to enroll in summer session courses. 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. 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. It also serves to complete any perquisite courses needed for the four year institutions curriculum major and minor requirements. Students are admitted to Junior level status provided they have completed the matching associate's level degree. In other words, Business AA to Business BA, Engineering AS, to Engineering AS etc. 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. These courses are in addition to the student's major field of study. Associates of Science (AS) Within the AS degrees a student will notice there are less general education requirements, and more career oriented course work. You will find this in curriculums to include, Nursing, Engineering, some Computer Science and Allied Heath fields. Still, these programs should be fully transferable to four year institutions provided the degree matches that of the four year college or university's program of study, as mentioned above under AA degrees. Associates in Applied Science (AAS) The AAS degrees are very career oriented and designed to give the student all the expertise needed for entry level positions upon completion of the degree. Therefore, the student will notice most of the AAS degree is made up of professional phase courses particular to a specific field, and a very limited number of general education courses. This has promoted the myth, that all AAS degrees are not transferable to four year colleges and universities. I will admit, as the degree was originally designed; transferability was not the original intent of this type of degree. Therefore many AAS degree fields of study did not transfer to four year institutions very well. In fact, in some categories it was almost like starting over. Today this is not so. Community Colleges today have what is known as Joint Admissions or Dual Admissions articulations with four year institutions, where if the student completes the agreed upon program of study successfully, the four year institution will take the degree full faith in credit and grant the student Junior level status. This includes AAS degrees. However, it is strongly recommended that a student who is seeking to transfer to a four year institution at a later date, make an appointment with a Transfer Counselor at the Community College for the pros and cons of AAS transfer as well as more detailed information.

Answer 9

I am half way through with an associate in arts and the difference between arts and science is the number of sciene and math classes that I take.