We offer 130 programs that range from certificate programs to Associates of Arts, Associates of Science, and Bachelor’s Degrees. That’s a lot to choose from! Deciding on a program to pursue can be overwhelming. A good place to start is to decide whether you want to get an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree or an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree.

An A.A. degree requires approximately 60 credit hours for completion. When taken as a full-time student with no additional preparation courses it will take a student approximately two years to finish. Associate of Arts degrees are great for students who want to transfer into a four year Bachelor’s degree program because it includes all of the general education requirements needed for any four year program.

A.S degrees are considered our work-force ready program and prepare students for a specific field. Degree credit requirements will vary depending on the specific program, for example; an A.S. in Early Childhood Education requires 63 credits and an A.S. in Nursing requires 72 credits. An A.S. degree may be a perfect fit for a student who is looking to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation with a two year degree and want to have obtained employable skills related to a specific industry. Many of our A.S. programs have an internship component built into the program in order to gain the specific hands-on knowledge needed.

The differences between these degrees can seem confusing so we have made the graphic below to answer basic questions about the differences between A.A. Degree and A.S. Degrees. To see the benefits of both A.A. and A.S. degrees and also information to help you decide on which degree is right for you click on the picture.

For more specific questions regarding on which program will align with your career goals please contact your Career Services department.

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