What is the difference between an associate's degree and an associate of occupational studies degree?

Answer 1

An Associates in Arts includes a well rounded general education curriculum usually designed to fulfill the first two year general cluster requirements of a four year institution. In general the curriculum would include, English, Social Science, Humanities, Math, Exact Sciences, along with the appropriate prerequisites needed for advanced course work that is particular to a specific field of study at the four year college or university.

Occupation Science is a very career oriented program of study that is particular to one field of study. For example, Physical Therapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, the Engineering Technologies, etc. Therefore, this type of degree will have less general education courses and more professional phase courses that are specific to a career field.

It is not that one is better than the other; they are just different and particular to an individual's desired career path.

Answer 2

The classes that you take and the jobs that you can work at. * Business degrees cover a wide field of choices such as managing a retail store, office manager, marketing,sales, and so forth. Applied Science pertains to engineering (mechanical, industrial, etc.) the technologies (computers, communication, etc.).

Answer 3

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. Thus you can transfer all course work from an A.A to continue and earn a 4-year degree.

A.S - Associate of Science degree is specifically geared for transfer to a four-year college or university with areas of study usually in mathematics, natural sciences or technology.

Answer 4

It depends on the institution and the specific department within the school as to which focus they prefer.

The Associate's of Arts degree (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.

The Associates in Science degree (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.

It depends on the institution and the specific department within the school as to which focus they prefer.

The Associate's of Arts degree (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.

The Associates in Science degree (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.

It depends on the institution and the specific department within the school as to which focus they prefer.

The Associate's of Arts degree (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.

The Associates in Science degree (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.

It depends on the institution and the specific department within the school as to which focus they prefer.

The Associate's of Arts degree (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.

The Associates in Science degree (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.

It depends on the institution and the specific department within the school as to which focus they prefer.

The Associate's of Arts degree (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.

The Associates in Science degree (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.

It depends on the institution and the specific department within the school as to which focus they prefer.

The Associate's of Arts degree (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.

The Associates in Science degree (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.

Answer 5

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.

Answer 6

The purpose of an occupational associates degree's is to get you ready for a particular occupation right away and offers more specialized training, while academic associates degrees are more general and are better used in preparing you for further education.

Answer 7

An Associates degree can be segmented into a number of categories to include:

* AA (Associate of Arts)

* AS (Associate of Science)

* APS (Associate of Public Service)

* AAB (Associate of Applied Business)

* AAS (Associate of Applied Science; or in some cases, Associate of Arts and Sciences)

* AIT (Associate of Industrial Technology)

* AOS (Associate of Occupational Studies)

* ABA (Associate of Business Administration)

* AAT (Associate of Arts in Teaching)

* AF (Associate of Forestry)

* AT (Associate of Technology)

* AE (Associate of Engineering; or, in some cases, Associate in Electronics Engineering Technology)

* AET (Associate in Engineering Technology)

* AN (Associate of Nursing)

* AGS (Associate of General Studies)

* ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing)

Thus, to answer your question more accurately, it would depend on which of the above associates degree you are referring to.

The Associate of Occupational Studies degree is for students who intend to enter the work force upon graduation. There are generally little or no liberal arts requirements for this degree.

Answer 8

It depends on the institution and the specific department within the school as to which focus they prefer.

The Associate's of Arts degree (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.

The Associates in Science degree (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.

Answer 9

Typically, the associate of science degree - although not always - is design for transfer to a four year college or university. The occupational degree is designed to give a student all the expertise necessary to for entry level positions immediately after completion of the degree.

Answer 10

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.