An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree consists primarily of courses that concentrate on preparing a student for an entry level job upon earning the degree. Unlike Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees that help lay the "groundwork" for transferring credits to a four-year university, students opting for an AAS degree prefer to start working as soon as they graduate and have no immediate plans to pursue higher, academic degrees. Moreover, an Associate of "Applied" Science is so-called because it involves more hands-on instruction and/or laboratory work instead of classroom lecturing and writing papers. Another major difference between an AAS and an AS or AA is that Associate of Science/Art degrees focus on liberal arts courses that may or may not be relevant to a student's field of study.

Benefits of Earning an Associate of Applied Science

Students who are better "hands-on" learners typically do well in an Associate of Applied Science program. An AAS also enables students who need to begin working as soon as possible the ability to prepare for jobs that demand specialized skills, knowledge and a higher level of on-the-job competency.

How Much Does It Cost to Earn an Associate of Applied Science?

Tuition fees for an AAS degree may be less than fees for an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree because many AAS programs do not take two years to complete. With the emphasis on hands-on learning in laboratories and internship-based curriculums, class/lecture and textbooks costs are significantly reduced.

Employment Opportunities Available for Students with Associate of Applied Science Degrees

Because an AAS is oriented around learning how to perform a job instead of academic studies, jobs like AutoCAD technician, behavioral teaching assistant, auto body technician and criminal justice positions prefer graduates of an AAS program over graduates of AA or AS programs.

Why Take an Online Associate of Applied Science?

With minimal academic-typework and more hands-on learning involved in an AAS curriculum, students taking an online AAS course will find it more interesting and easier to finish than attending classroom lectures at a traditional community college or technical school.

How To Apply To an Associate of Applied Science Degree Program?

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