Going to college for the first time or making the choice to go back to school as a working adult can be a difficult decision. It can be even harder when there are so many fields and types of degrees to choose from. If you are thinking of going to college on campus or getting your degree online, you first need to decide if you want to pursue a 4 year bachelor's degree or a 2 year associate's degree.
Associate's in Applied Science
If a 2 year degree best suits your needs and you have a concrete idea of what career path you want to take or a specific area you want to specialize in, then an associate degree applied science may just what you are looking for. An Associate in Applied Science degree or AAS is most commonly chosen by individuals who want to start a career immediately after they finish their schooling. As opposed to an Associate in Science degree which is intended to be a starting point for those who intend to transfer to a 4 year college to pursue a bachelor's degree or higher.
Most AAS degrees are earned from a technical school or community college because they are equipped to teach courses that are specific to the career field that students choose. For example, a person choosing an applied science associate's degree in nursing will take courses designed to give that person the exact skills they will need in the nursing field along with hands on experience. These technical schools do not require students to take pre-requisite classes or extra math or writing classes to earn credits.
Degree Programs
An associate degree applied science is a popular choice because there are so many different specified fields to choose from. If you are interested in engineering you can learn skills that are explicit to becoming a construction foreman or blueprint drafter. Other common AAS programs include:
Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Computer repair
- Software
Health Care
- Nursing
- Hospital Maintenance
- Medical Technician
- Radiology Technologist
- Medical Assistant
Finding a Career
Whatever field you decide to specialize in once you have completed the course work for your Associate Degree in Applied Science you will be able to enter the workforce immediately. Since each class you took was specific to your field you will have the precise experience and knowledge that an employer is looking for. Starting with an AAS degree also gives you a chance to start working while still leaving the opportunity open to pursue a higher degree or to move up in your position as you gain more experience.
