Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree: A Comprehensive Guide

An associate degree can be one of the quickest paths to a stable, well-paying career in a number of fields. Deciding to go to college is a big step in shaping your career and future. But then you have to decide whether to get an associate degree or a bachelor's degree. This decision depends on your career goals, how much time you're willing and able to commit, your financial resources, and your personal circumstances. Each degree has its own unique advantages, from the length of study to the depth of academic rigor, and from potential earnings to career advancement opportunities. Whether you're looking to quickly join the workforce with a specialized skill set or seeking a comprehensive educational experience with a broad academic foundation, it's important to understand these differences.

What is an Associate of Applied Science Degree?

An Associate of Applied Science degree (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. Relevant AAS degrees can help aspiring professionals pursue career paths as diverse as dental hygienist, web developer or chemical technician.

Community colleges, vocational schools and traditional four-year colleges and universities all can offer AAS degrees. Not every institution offers every specialization, though. Typically, the only prerequisites to earning an AAS degree are high school graduation (or equivalent) and acceptance at a school offering the program in question. Degree curriculum will vary depending on both the school you choose and the specialization you seek. That said, you should expect the curriculum to be highly focused on the technical skills needed for your chosen career field.

Curriculum

To graduate with an Associate in Applied Science degree, a student must follow the curriculum as they appear in the program pages. To graduate, all of those courses must be taken although not necessarily in the order listed. Your academic advisor can assist in the scheduling of your classes. Students must apply for graduation at the beginning of their final semester. Any student taking online, HyFlex, hybrid, or remote courses is responsible for having reliable access to both the Internet and a computer running Chrome or Firefox. Cape Cod Community College is committed to students’ academic success. Prerequisite courses are established to ensure students have the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed in a course. The College will consider and accept credits, subject to its standards, from other accredited institutions. It is the responsibility of the student to originate this request and failure to do so may delay his or her graduation. The graduation requirements have been established to enable the graduate of Cape Cod Community College to lead a productive and satisfying life, to function in and contribute to society, and to possess those abilities necessary for further personal and career development. In addition to specific content knowledge, communication skills, critical and creative thinking skills, ethical and civic engagement practices, multicultural and global awareness, quantitative and computational skills, and technological literacy have been integrated throughout the curriculum. Met all specific degree requirements of the program from which a second Associate degree will be granted. Completed a minimum of fifteen (15) credit hours beyond the first degree requirements.

Benefits of Earning an Associate of Applied Science Degree

There are quite a few benefits to earning an associate degree in one of the applied sciences. First, an AAS degree can be a quick path toward well-paying and meaningful work in a range of fields. Many students appreciate that they can move into the workforce quickly rather than spend four, six or even more years pursuing a higher-level degree.

Second, with a larger pool of institutions offering them, these degrees tend to be easier to access. You can’t earn a PhD at your local community college, but chances are quite high you can earn an AAS.

Third, the technical skills you learn in your AAS program are challenging, advanced skills that are in demand by today’s employers. The program may be short, but the technical knowledge you gain is invaluable.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Associate of Applied Science?

Most associate programs are built with a two-year timeframe in mind. More and more programs offer flexible pacing, accelerated pacing or even both, so you might be able to complete all AAS classes in an even shorter timeframe. Or you may be able to slow down your studies if your responsibilities require it.

One thing you should know: AAS degrees tend to require more credit hours than other associate programs. Depending on your concentration and its credit requirements, you may need a little longer than two years to complete it.

Transferability to a Bachelor's Degree

While an AAS alone can be the ticket to solid jobs and good career prospects, many students consider going on to earn their bachelor’s degree after earning their associate of applied science degree. This leads to the natural question: Are AAS credits transferable?

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The answer, for many institutions, is yes. If you’ve earned your AAS at a regionally accredited institution, your credits may transfer into bachelor’s programs at many universities.

The transferability from an AAS to bachelor's degree can be more limited. It delivers specific vocational training, but it often includes a substantial amount of technical coursework that may not align with a bachelor's degree. Some universities may accept credits from an AAS degree. In many cases, though, AAS graduates may find that only a portion of their credits transfer, or they may need to fulfill additional coursework to be accepted into a bachelor's program. A bachelor's degree remains the most common credential among Americans.

Bachelor of Applied Science

At Siena Heights University, they offer a fully customizable Bachelor of Applied Science degree that rounds out what you learned in your AAS classes. This undergraduate program is unique in that it isn’t designed to further your understanding of your particular discipline-there are no technical courses in dental hygiene, web development or whatever area your AAS focused on. Instead, you’ll pursue a curriculum in the liberal arts to give you the full educational experience of a traditional bachelor’s program, as well as customized courses that support your desired career path.

This unique approach creates significant value, allowing you to round out your technical knowledge with complementary courses in business or communication, for example.

Associate of Applied Science vs Associate of Science

These two degrees have similar names, but they have significantly different outcomes. An Associate of Applied Science degree prepares you to immediately enter the workforce in some kind of technical role. In this way, the AAS can be considered a terminal degree. It’s the highest expected degree to enter and be successful in a given career path as it incorporates the hands-on technical skills needed in the field.

An Associate of Science degree, or AS degree, is different. Typically, this degree is preparatory and offered with the intent of transferring into a four-year program.

Is an AAS Degree Worth Anything?

Yes, as covered above, an AAS degree can be the key to many professional career paths. As a result, an AAS degree is worth plenty if your goal is to obtain the skills needed to enter one of those fields and get your career started. Additionally, with the ability to transition toward a Bachelor of Applied Science, you can continue your education while working In your technical field.

Popular AAS Fields of Study

There are many jobs that require or at least benefit from a specific AAS degree or certification, including:

Dental hygienist
Sonographer
Physical therapist assistant
Bookkeeper
Mechanic
Entry-level technology positions
Heavy industry technicians (chemical, petroleum, geological, etc.)

Is an AAS Degree Right for You?

If your end goal is to enter a career path for which an AAS degree is expected then, yes, an AAS degree is likely right for you.

That said, you might not want to stop there. AAS classes can teach you the technical skills necessary to become a web developer or bookkeeper. But they won’t teach you how to launch your own business in those fields, nor will they focus on improving your marketing, communication or other vital professional and interpersonal skills. In this way, the AAS will help you enter your chosen career field with technical expertise as you determine when and how you may want to further your educate to advance your career.

Admission Requirements for AA, AS, and AAS Programs

Admission requirements for AA, AS, and AAS degrees follow similar standards. Extra requirements: Some AS degree majors (engineering prep, lab sciences) may require a higher GPA or a placement threshold to enroll in certain courses.

Admission to an AAS degree is selective even if the college has open admission. Drug-screen/CPR/First Aid/professional licensing Admission criteria vary by program type, similar to specialized healthcare training routes like difference between a licensed and certified pharmacy technician, where entry standards differ depending on credential level and state regulations.

How to Decide Between AA vs. AS vs. AAS Degrees Based on Career Goals

AA, AS, and AAS degrees serve very different purposes, and the “best” choice depends on your career and education goals. You want the broadest transfer option. Paralegal

If you're interested in the dentistry field, you can check jobs with a certificate in dental assisting.

Before enrolling in an associate degree program, it’s important to consider a few key factors. First, check your career’s minimum education requirements. Some professions may require a bachelor’s degree or higher for entry-level roles. Next, review any transfer agreements between your community college and nearby four-year universities, as AA and AS degrees are often designed to transfer smoothly into bachelor’s programs. Finally, confirm any licensing or certification requirements if your chosen field is regulated, such as healthcare, law, or education, to ensure your degree aligns with the career path.

Curriculum Differences: Liberal Arts vs. Technical Coursework

The Associate of Arts (AA) degree emphasizes humanities and social sciences, while the Associate of Science (AS) degree leans toward math, science, and technology. The AAS degree is career-focused and prepares students for direct entry into the workforce. It often includes hands-on experience in fields like healthcare, technology, and skilled trades.

Accelerated and Online Options

Yes. Accelerated programs can condense the timeline through shorter courses and more intensive terms. These programs allow students to get more credits within a year, sometimes reducing the time to as little as 18 months for full-time students. Many colleges and universities also offer online AA, AS, and AAS degrees. These programs carry out asynchronous learning, which may speed up the pace for those who can devote extra time to their studies. Online programs still adhere to the same credit requirements. The timeline can be flexible, but the total duration is largely dependent on the number of courses a student takes per term and the program's guidelines.

Online learners weighing costs and speed may also find parallels in the is it better to get a certificate or a degree in UX design debate, where accelerated formats and shorter credentials can fast-track entry into competitive industries.

Career Paths with an AAS Degree

The type of jobs you can get with an AA, AS, or AAS depends on whether you want to work immediately or use the degree to transfer to a bachelor’s. Note: Many AS degree jobs are entry-level in STEM/healthcare. AAS - skilled trade, healthcare, or technical jobs where the associate is the main credential.

The jobs mentioned in the chart below require only a certificate, an associate's degree, and some college, but no degree.

Salary Expectations

Individuals with an AA degree or AS degree may see lower starting salaries compared to those with an AAS degree, as these degrees prioritize general education. Graduates can earn $30,000 to $50,000 annually. Students who will use their education as a pathway to further study can eventually qualify for higher-paying roles.

AAS degree earners are eligible for more robust job prospects and competitive wages. For example, medical assistants with an AAS degree can earn between $35,000 and $50,000 annually, while information technology specialists can earn upwards of $50,000. Skilled trade positions, such as electricians or HVAC technicians, can also command salaries in the range of $40,000 to $60,000. If you're interested in welding, check out this welder salary guide.

A Global Perspective on Associate Degrees

An associate degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study lasting two to three years. The first associate degrees were awarded in the UK (where they are no longer awarded) in 1873 before spreading to the US in 1898. The title of Associate in Arts, introduced by the University of Oxford in 1857 and sometimes referred to as the degree of Associate in Arts, predated the Durham degree. However, it was an examination for "those who are not members of the university" and who were under the age of 18; as such it was at the level of a high school qualification rather than a modern associate degree. The qualification was introduced in the US in 1899, when the University of Chicago decided to replace its certificates with associate degrees, which were first awarded in 1900. American educationalist Walter Crosby Eells concluded that it is "not unlikely" that people at Chicago knew of the associate degrees being awarded in the United Kingdom, but there is no direct evidence of this.

The associate degree spread across the US, with California College in Oakland (now the American Baptist Seminary of the West) introducing Associate in Arts and Associate in Letters degrees in 1900, and the Lewis Institute in Chicago (now part of the Illinois Institute of Technology) introducing Associate in Literature and Associate in Science degrees in 1901 (both replaced by the Associate in Arts in 1904) followed by the Associate in Domestic Economy degree in 1908. By 1918, 23% of junior colleges were awarding Associate in Arts degrees. By 1941-42, 40% of junior colleges awarded some form of associate degree, and by 1960 this had grown to 75%, with 137 different associate degrees in use.

Regional Variations

Two year associate degrees are found throughout the West Indies. They are offered by regional organisations such as the Caribbean Examinations Council and the University of the West Indies, and at institutions of higher education in particular, within the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, and St.

In the Netherlands, there were four pilots between 2005 and 2011 to assess the added value of the associate degree. In 2007 the associate degree was added to the Dutch system of higher education within the Higher Professional Education (HBO) stream taught at universities of applied sciences (hogeschool). Associate degree courses form part of HBO bachelor's degree courses, and advising requirements are the same for the two-year associate degree and the related four-year bachelor's degree.

In Hong Kong, associate degrees were first introduced in 2000 with the aim of increasing the number of students with post-secondary qualifications. As originally introduced, the qualification took two or three years, but this was reformed in 2012 to a two-year course.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has approved Associate Degree Programs (ADP) to replace the traditional two-year BA/BSc programs. This transition aligns with HEC's Undergraduate Education Policy, which mandates that all ADPs must receive approval from the relevant statutory bodies of the respective universities. An associate degree is a two-years undergraduate degree program abbreviated as ADP in Pakistan and is authorized by the Higher Education Commission through an Authorization Letter. In place of two-year BA/BSc Programs (which have been terminated vide Notification No. 9-2(16)/ phasing out BA/BSc/Curri/HEC/2016/982 dated March 15, 2017), universities and colleges affiliated with public sector universities may offer Associate Degree Programs (AD) for post-higher secondary students, in accordance with the given policies.

In Argentina, tertiary colleges (institutos terciarios) offer carrera técnica, tecnicatura or Técnico Superior Universitario qualifications that are similar to associate degrees in a variety of areas, including qualifications for elementary and high school teachers, as well as other technical fields, upon completion of three or four years of study. Some of these degrees may be articulated with university programs to obtain a bachelor degree, usually after two additional years.

In 2001, Brazil added tecnólogo ('technologist') as a form of undergraduate degree program (graduação). A technologist's degree varies between two and three years of full time studies to complete.

Canada

Education in Canada is a provincial power: each province and territory regulates tertiary education and the degree system in their jurisdictions, with pan-Canadian co-ordination in a Council of Ministers of Education, Canada. Aside from British Columbia, the Canadian provinces do not offer associate degrees but do offer similar higher education qualifications below the bachelor's level. These are two-year courses resulting in a diploma in a broad range of technical, professional and academic subjects. Articulation into bachelor's programs is the norm but can differ by subject (with some specialties rarer among bachelor's degrees). Ontario also offers three-year advanced diplomas which are not considered as associate degrees.

The territories have fewer but similar diploma programs, some being particularly geared to Arctic environments and northern Indigenous cultures and languages, with bachelor's programs being a mix of local provisions, partnerships with institutions based elsewhere in Canada and international consortia. Indigenous nations in most provinces have education systems that also provide First Nations-focused diplomas programs, with North American Aboriginal education bodies.

In Quebec, the Diplôme d'études collégiales (diploma of college studies), taught at post-secondary collèges d'enseignement général et professionnel (colleges of general and professional education; cégeps) can be a two-year pre-university qualification that is a pre-requisite for entry into the bachelor's degree. However, because a bachelor's degree in Quebec takes 3 years to complete instead of 4 years, it can be thought of as an articulation onto the second year of a standard North American bachelor's degree program.

European Equivalents

Qualifications on the short cycle of the Bologna Process/level 5 on the European Qualifications Framework sit between secondary education and bachelor's degree level and are thus approximately equivalent to an associate degree. In Czech Republic one equivalent title is DiS. (Diplomovaný Specialista; Certificated Specialist). By Czech school education law, these programs last for three to three and a half years, but most often 3 years. The awarded degree corresponds to EQF 6/ISCED 650, and is equivalent to a bachelor's degree, but without the possibility of continuing to a master's degree, since education is provided by a post-secondary vocational school (vyšší odborná škola). Thus, this degree is not academic but vocational, certifying the holder's ability to perform particular activities and operations. For many decades, a diploma comparable to an associate degree was considered a very adequate degree for those willing to work as qualified technicians. Yet as the general population spends an increasing amount of time studying, they are no longer as attractive to students who wish to distinguish themselves.

In 2021, the Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie (DUT) was reframed as an intermediate degree, part of a three-year curriculum now referred to as BUT. Prior to the reform of 2006, universities awarded a two-year diploma called DEUG, the purpose of which was also to help the student pursue studies in a field that differed from what was initially intended. The degree was considered a 'stepping stone' to the completion of a bachelor's degree. A 2-2.5 year education on the BA-level is called an AP-Degree (Academy Professional Degree).

United Kingdom

Associate degrees are not part of any of the national qualifications frameworks in the United Kingdom. Two-year sub-degree higher education qualifications that are considered short-cycle qualifications in the European Higher Education Area are foundation degrees, Diplomas of Higher Education and Higher National Diplomas (if awarded by a degree-awarding body). British equivalents to associate degrees vary depending on the national system which issued them. Based on assessment by the UK NARIC, American and Canadian associate degrees are considered equivalent to one year higher education courses such as the Higher National Certificate at level 4 of the British Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

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