What's the difference between Associates of Applied Science (AAS) and Associates Science (AS) degrees?

Question

Thanks guys ^_^

I plan on majoring in something sciency lol. So I think I'm on the right track =)

I'll go with the AS.

Answer 1

With an AAS degree, you don't take as broad of a course base as an AS. AAS degrees concentrate more on the classes that apply directly to your major. They also usually don't have as many required classes to take. You still take the same AMOUNT of classes, but you have more leeway when it comes to WHAT you take to fill those credits. Like an AAS degree in Criminal Justice (I use Criminal Justice as an example just because that is what I am most familiar with) has most of the same course requirements as the AS does, but it doesn't require any foreign language, statistics or college-level math courses...nor does it require as many credits from the sciences or fine arts areas.

If you are stopping at an associates, the AAS is probably the easiest to get.

But if you are planning on going beyond an associates, I would strongly suggest you go with either an AA (Associate of Arts) or an AS (Associate of Science) degree and NOT an AAS. AAS degrees do not have direct transfer equivalency into 4 year colleges and universities and you could find yourself a lot farther behind than with an AS because the 4 year schools aren't required to transfer everything from an AAS (i.e. they don't hold as much weight as an AA or AS degree).

I've had many students that ended up being a lot farther behind in the amount of credits simply because they were guided in the wrong direction by their school advisors and went with an AAS.

Answer 2

The difference between AAS and AS degrees is usually the amount of Math and Science you need to take to complete the degree.

AAS normally need more Math and Science. Another thing is that if you go for an AAS degree you may have a higher increase in salary whereas the AS may be a little less. Salary depends where you work and what you do, and in many cases good grades in the courses you take help gain better salaries.

It basically means that you have to be more involved in Math and Science courses and in that field of study it WILL open your opportunities to be more involved with the Math and Science when working with designers and engineers on projects.