Associate of Science Degree

[KuJoe]

I noticed that some campuses issue Associate of Science Degrees while others issue Associate of Applied Science Degrees... anybody have a legitamate answer as to why? I came here for the truth (that's the motto here right?), so if you don't know please don't turn this thread into BS and drama.

[aka name]

Check out ITT in PA - they offer a "Associate in Specialized Technology Degree."

[sevenalive]

Well i don't got an answer for that one, but most of the major programs are all Applied Science.
SAP, CJ, CNS, Multimedia, and a few others they list.

It could be the fact they omitted a few, because most of the time (if not all) to get a science degree, you gotta do english/math/government/history - the basic general ed courses.

[KuJoe]

Well my CNS Degree I'm working on is Associate of Science at the Pinellas Park Campus, but I noticed at some campuses the same degree is Applied Science.

It's not a big deal because Universities (both regionally and nationally accredited) offer both also, I just noticed that in some threads people speak of "worthless degrees" because their campus only offers Applied Science (An AAS and AS aren't that different, I know of some jobs that require an AAS as an AS won't cut it).

[sevenalive]

AS is more reconized and more respected than an AAS, an AAS is a quick and dry version of an AS. So it doesn't make sense to require an AAS but not except an AS. Your example could be due to employer ignorance.

Most employers do have insane requirements for the pay they offer, i remember reading about a job that paid 50K a year.
5 years BS or MS required.
5 years in ASP.Net
3 years in SQL, ADO, Java, Php
2 years in Peoplesoft and crystal reports.

The problem with those requirements, most programmers specialize in 1 or a few languages, normally don't deal with SQL (although sql is pretty easy once you learn it), and peoplesoft and crystal reports are more specialized. I have never touched peoplesoft (which is a cms, but how hard can it be really).
They are going to pay someone with all of that experience 50K? That's why those jobs sit there unfilled for a while.

[KuJoe]

Most of those requirements are BS anyways. The employers always try to get more for their money but if I'm offered less than $50k with my AS and 5 Years IT experience, I'd walk.

[aka name]

people speak of "worthless degrees" because their campus only offers Applied Science (An AAS

Based on my experience, and what I've heard from others, it's the exact opposite: an AS is superior to an AAS because it's more broader and because an AAS is a just a career-based degree.

[KuJoe]

It depends on the field. I'm not saying an AS is inferior to an AAS, but there are certain careers that require an AAS over AS (being a teacher around my area being an example). But just because it's an AAS doesn't make it "worthless" in the least bit. Some companies may see it that way but in terms of education, all Universities I have seen offer both AAS and AS.

[aka name]

all Universities I have seen offer both AAS and AS.

Could you expand on that? My quick search of the University of Michigan's website doesn't report much back:
University of Michigan

I also don't recall any type of associates degree discussed during my time at the university or the community college (because most of the guys at the cc I hung out with were on the transfer-to-a-U path).

Please enlighten me. * sarcasm *

[KuJoe]

I'm basing all of my statements on my own personal experience. I've only gone to Saint Petersburg College and the University of South Florida.

[aka name]

I'm basing all of my statements on my own personal experience. I've only gone to Saint Petersburg College and the University of South Florida.

You only looked at two schools?
University of South Florida - - no real search results

Saint Petersburg College
"Associate in Science (A.S.) and Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) degrees are college-level, two-year degrees (if enrolled full time) that enable students to directly enter the workforce upon graduation. These degrees also boost careers and allow those already in their field to upgrade job skills. Some A.S. degrees are transferrable towards bachelor degrees. "

[KuJoe]

Yes, I only attended 2 other schools besides ITT.