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

The Real Answer

Here is the answer you are looking for.

An Associates in Science (AS) is a degree focused mostly on a liberal arts education. This means that if you get an AS Degree, most of your classes will be English, Math, Science, History, and Social Science. Only about 5-7 of your classes will actually be your major. For example, if you get an AS in Chemistry, only about 5-7 of your classes will be chemistry and everything else will be the core curriculum (English, Math, History, etc.).

An Associates in Applied Science (AAS) is a degree focused mainly on your major. Only about 5-7 of your classes will be English, Math, Science, History, and Social Science. All of the other classes will be classes for your major. For example, if you get an AAS in Interior Design, you will take about 15 interior design classes, but if you get an AS in Interior Design, you will take about 5-7 interior design classes.

Both degrees have pros and cons. An AS degree can be transfered to a university, so you can get an AS degree and then get a Bachelor's degree in another 2 years. An AAS degree can NOT be transfered to a university, so if you decide to get a Bachelor's Degree, it will still take you another 4 years to get. BUT, if you only want to go to college for 2 years and then start working, the AAS degree is much more valuable than the AS degree.

Answer

I think a great deal of the difference is just a matter of preferred terminology of a particular school. Where there is a difference, the AAS seems to lean toward the technical "hands on" (applied) aspects of science, and equip the graduate for the operation, maintenance, or fabrication of sophisticated equipment. The AS seems to be more aligned with the "pure" academic or research approach to the sciences. The AS might represent the first couple of years toward a BS degree. The coursework for an AAS degree would probably produce fewer credits transferable toward a BS.

My own degree from the local technical college is AAS in Electronic Engineering Technology (AAS/EET), and equipped me well to enter the field of office equipment repair. More importantly, I believe it gave me the deep background needed to keep up with developing technology more successfully, than some whose training was less thorough and who sometimes found themselves struggling.

Another perspective

The above feels like an AAS has left him more prepared than someone with a general AS/AA, but what he fails to mention is his how much more qualified someone with a Bachelor's degree, in the same Field, will be over him. The AAS does NOT give you the transferable credits to apply toward said BA/BS. The general associates (transfer program/concentration) does. You need to understand that the first two years of any bachelor's degree is going to be a very broad and general liberal arts education. I can not stress to you how crucial this core education is. If you plan on going to a community college, and think you may EVER want to take your education to the next level, be smart and go with an AA or an AS instead of the "Applied" version.

MY PERSPECTIVE

That is not all true either. I have an AAS. Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology and the school I got this degree from offers not one but two Bachelors Degrees in the field. One of which is a Bachelors of Applied Arts Science (BAAS). The other degree offers an Occupational type degree good for teaching industrial type material. These come from an accredited university. (ENMU) Speaking of AAS. Degree, not all of us took this degree just to find a job. I was actually in my field for more than ten years before I married up my Airframe and Power plant license with previous college and later acquired this degree. So being somewhat of a "spring chicken" out of a two year school with no experience is actually a different situation than someone working in the field with x number of years of experience and later "Padding up" their resume by taking a few courses to meet elective requirements. My some 12 working years in aviation maintenance has taken me through quite some company intensive training on various types of aircraft. I'd like to see some people with a Bachelors of Arts sit into one of these classes as the instructor reads through electrical, pneumatic schematics in a two to five week course with mounds of course material in front of you sitting in a class for 8 hours. I'd say my 12 years or so experience along with my AAS degree in aviation maintenance technology plus company training, hands on experience puts me way ahead of alot of people with a Bachelors in PAY and PROFESSION. This type of degree coupled with experience can land you management jobs if you wish to pursue that angle. Don't sell an AAS degree short by any means. I am actually working and DOING what my degree is meant for and that is a lot more than a lot of people can say. (I have no future plans to persuit a Bachelors nor can I really justify getting one at my career path and stage in life, but if you're 25, go for it if you want it bad enough.)

What some people fail to say is that some of these ASA Degrees are achieved by people well into their careers that all ready have their experience via military or previous vo-tech schools, and in many cases, continued a lot of company sponsored training in what they do. They later can find out that they can take just a few ELECTIVES through a college or university and eventually gain an Associates of Applied Science degree having all ready completed most of their core requirements from experience, previous training and company sponsored training in their field. This is a way to document their specialized field and possibly advance in their field of profession.

EXAMPLE. You don't need an AAS degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology to work on airplanes, but what is required is an AIRFRAME AND POWER PLANT LICENSE from the FAA. You can gain this through Aviation Maintenance Schools and passing exams with the FAA. If you take a few electives, you can get the AAS in AVIATION MX TECH. So the difference is just a few courses in general BS like ENGLISH FRESHMAN COMP, INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA. Maybe some added 12 credits or so, depending on which school you make the deal with.

OK! OK! Remember This!

You all have had some very good points, but there are somethings that are incorrect...sorry, I say this with all due respect. Whether an AA, AS, or AAS, is fully transferable to a four year college or university is strictly dependent on the receiving institution. While the AAS was developed to give all the expertise a student would need to enter the workforce after the completion of the program, many have evolved into fully transferable programs, as the above contributor has stated. Many of the community colleges now have special articulations with four year institutions, in the arts, sciences, and applied science areas. Some community colleges have Joint Admissions Programs, and Dual Admissions Programs with the four year schools. Rather than say a degree is or is not transferable, it's better to say, check with the Transfer Counselor at the community college for detailed information. Personally, I would also suggest the prospective students also check with the four year college or university for this information particular to the exact field of study they are interested in.

Great discussion people!!

Improving and reinforcing my original point

DO take the time to read this

Keep in mind that I been to two different CC's and two different Universities before getting a BS (nearly done) and am applying to Grad School as well (which is a WHOLE different ball game...) I've read thousands of thread on talk.collegeconfidential.com and filtered through tons of bs in order to apply the most relevant information to real life situations and bring this information here to you.

In response to the second answer: An AS is ALWAYS aligned with "pure" academics as you say and is ALWAYS a transferable precursor to a 4 year degree. If you look deep into most colleges transfer requirements you'll notice that an AS will WAIVER the core curriculum requirements for transfer. (though in scientific feilds, you may still have to spend a semester or two 'catching up' with match and core classes: like cad, basic electronics, and math up through calcII, which is all usually included in a pre-engineering AS.

AAS almost NEVER transfers, and does indeed produce very few transferable credits. An AAS in electronics will produce very few credits that would tranfer to any engineering program as well as very few general credit requirements either - (2 eglish classes, at least 1 college level math, 2 sciences, 2 histories, 2-4 humanities, possible forign languages, speaking, and phys ed classes too.

Do the research, actually go check university transfer requirements at a handful of state and a handful of out of state universities and see fo yourself.

But follow this rule generally: AS or AA, meaning Associates of Science or Associates of ART are basically PRE-Bachelors degrees, and you DO NOT EVEN NEED one to finish your Bachelors, JUST the specific CLASS CREDITS they provide to transfer.

AAS or Associates of APPLIED Science (applied being the keyword!) equates to ONE thing: Trade School. It's not a BAD thing.

But if you want to pursue higher education without having to start at the bottom again, get an AA/AS.

To the last poster "ok ok remember this" -- " AAS was developed to give all the expertise a student would need to enter the workforce after the completion of the program, many have evolved into fully transferable programs"

Everything you say is correct except for the above. The aviation poster is an exception to the norm. AAS degrees are still TRADE/WORKFORCE degrees and NORMALLY only AA/AS degrees are articulated , dual admission, or fully transferable degrees. An AA/AS from one state will often be accepted for GenED requirements in another state. (not always, but often)

Trade vs Pre-Bachelor's. That's all you have to think.

Do not make the mistake of skipping through your gen ed with an AAS, as many of my friends have done, and be left stranded to repeat 2 MORE years of school (gened) in pursuit of your 4 year bachelors.

p.s. - Go to to a local 4 year state school over a community college any day. Price difference is usually small, but it is worth it in the long run. (too much material for this, separate discussion)

Jonathan - willpower101

First answer by Viper1usmc. Last edit by Willpower102. Contributor trust: 15 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 86 [recommend question]