Associate of Applied Science in Specialized Studies (2024)

FAQs

Is an Associate of Applied Science degree worth it? ›

If you aim to enter the workforce quickly in a specific technical field, an AAS degree might be the best fit. If you plan to transfer to a four-year college, an AA or AS degree could be more suitable, depending on what you plan to major in.

However, there's one key difference between AS and AAS degrees. AS degrees are better-suited for students who want to continue their education and earn a bachelor's degree, while AAS degrees prepare students to immediately enter the workforce after graduation.

An Associate of Science (AS) degree is a 2-year degree offered by most community colleges and some 4- year colleges. The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree prepares graduates to enter a career immediately after graduation and have been considered terminal degrees.

While there are a few employers that may require a bachelor's degree, the reality is that you have the same opportunities and same pay with either degree. On the other hand, your long-term goals might require you to eventually build on your associate degree and get a bachelor's degree.

An associate degree in science can prepare you for a career in the growing and exciting fields of cybersecurity, data analytics and information technology.

Disadvantages of an Associate Degree

Lee says community colleges "in general have less prestige, less degree options, so you have less earning potential and definitely you have a lower ceiling for managerial positions. It's like an elevating list – the higher degree you have, the more earning potential you have."

Can an associate's degree be applied toward a bachelor's degree? Yes, all credits from your associate's degree that meet requirements will apply to the bachelor's degree program. Students who have already completed an associate's degree can typically finish their bachelor's program in two additional years.

An associate of applied science degree, or AAS, is a two-year associate-level college degree with a focus on a particular applied science or technical skill. Students spend the majority of their coursework in technical courses directly related to their chosen area of study.

Applied science is a discipline that is used to apply existing scientific knowledge to develop more practical applications, for example: technology or inventions. In natural science, basic science (or pure science) is used to develop information to explain phenomena in the natural world.

What is the difference between AAS and bachelor's degree? ›

The most basic difference between a bachelor's degree and an associate degree is the time it takes to complete the programs. Associate degrees are typically 2-year programs, while bachelor's degree programs are typically 4 years and delve more deeply into the area of study.

An associate degree is typically abbreviated as "AA" and stands for Associate of Arts. This type of degree focuses on liberal arts and sciences, with a balance of general education courses and a concentration in the arts or humanities.

If you're deciding between no higher education degree at all and an associate degree, the answer is, quite simply, “Yes; getting an associate degree is worth it!” If you are hoping to break into a professional field and want to raise your job prospects, getting an associate degree is going to serve you much better than ...

If you have a Bachelor's or a Master's degree, you should put them first. But if associate degree is as good as it gets in your Education Section, make sure you put in on top and bold it, as it is the most important part of your education. Once you do that placement, you need to specify the institution you attended.

Depending on your field, an associate degree may help you meet the minimum requirement for many jobs, but actually landing a job takes more than that. With an associate degree in hand, you may also want to consider advancing to the next college degree level.

An A.A.S. degree is among the best associate degrees for students who want to start their career directly out of college. This type of associate degree is also excellent for students who seek a non-routine, hands-on, professional occupation.

If you're deciding between no higher education degree at all and an associate degree, the answer is, quite simply, “Yes; getting an associate degree is worth it!” If you are hoping to break into a professional field and want to raise your job prospects, getting an associate degree is going to serve you much better than ...

Applied science is a discipline that is used to apply existing scientific knowledge to develop more practical applications, for example: technology or inventions. In natural science, basic science (or pure science) is used to develop information to explain phenomena in the natural world.