AS vs AAS

[kimbalpn]

Which is better an AS or AAS degree in nursing. What is really the difference

[blu2blu]

The difference is the general education requirements. An AA requires the most general ed and is regarded as more transferable to a bachelors program. An AS requires less general ed and is the "next step down." An AAS is considered the lowest of the associate degrees because it requires little general ed and is considered a "terminal" degree, meaning that most folks who get AAS degrees generally don't pursue a bachelors program afterward. Schools also tend to assume AAS credits will transfer poorly into a bachelors program.

There are plenty of degrees out there called Bachelors of Applied Science, Bachelors of Applied Technology, or Bachelors of Professional studies that will accept ALL credit from an AS/AAS program and allow you to finish off a bachelors degree. Excelsior has a BPS program that I have written about extensively on this forum just do a little search.

Which is better? Well the AAS is probably quicker. If your employer or prospective employer just wants you to have an Associates in Nursing then they probably won't give a hoot if it's an AS or an AAS. Think about your short term and long term goals. I got my AAS in Electronics as a "back up" plan. It makes me employable as a technician in the electronics/telecom industry. When I get my BA in Liberal Arts (and leave the Military) I can go into law enforcement. I just need ANY bachelors degree to be a good applicant for LE or further Military service, but if I need to get a job in the civilian sector I can always fall back on electronics.

[cookderosa]

Which is better an AS or AAS degree in nursing. What is really the difference

If you have the option, and all things are equal, you should get the AS. The AS is not a step down from the AA, they are identical. Some schools do have an additional math or science requirement in the AS vs the AA but that's up to the specific school, and they are considered identical in the community college --> university world. The AAS, however, is absolutely different than the AA/AS. While your RN will be the same, and you'll still have an associate's degree, what will be different is if/when you go for your BSN. The AS/AA will meet (usually) all of your state's transfer requirements. Your community college likely already has in place an articulation agreement with your state universities that says "if you complete the AS/AA degree at any community college in this state, we accept that as meeting all of the general education requirements for the bachelor's degree" and the AAS won't have that. An AAS (and AOS) is a terminal degree- meaning that the student has no intention of going further, thus is not taking "transfer" courses. So, while the nursing profession is a little different- and there will be wild exceptions to what I am telling you, it is a general rule of thumb that will help you decide.

Put another way:
AAS/AOS in nursing (60 credits) --> BA in anything besides nursing (100 +/-credits) = 160 +/-credits
AAS/AOS in nursing (60 credits) --> BSN in nursing (90 +/- credits) = 150 +/- credits
AA/AS in nursing (60 credits) --> BSN in nursing (60 credits) = 120 credits
AA/AS in nursing (60 credits) --> BA in anything besides nursing (60 credits) = 120 credits

[blu2blu]

There is a difference between AOS and AS? Are they not just two different acronyms for Associate of Science?

[JBjunior]

There is a difference between AOS and AS? Are they not just two different acronyms for Associate of Science?

No, AOS is Associate of Occupational Studies.

[kimbalpn]

Thanks for the information. That is what I thought, just wanted to make sure.

[29palms]

Traditionally, an AAS usually meant that it was a terminating. It was more geared for students that wished to get in the workforce faster. But it isn't like that anymore. Alot of schools have gone to appllied science degree programs in the Bachelors level. In fact, I'd probably say a good portion of schools have recognized this that students with AAS degrees needed higher educational goals to go to. I was surprised TESC had a BAST in Aviation Maintenance Technology. I bet this was within the last year or two they did this because I had never seen it before when I looked into TESC off and on throughout the years. The bigger question here would..."Does an AAS in AMT differ much from a BAST in AMT?" Is this going to come down to the difference in taking alot of unneccissary math such as college algebra to take, that I'll probably never ever use it?

[29palms]

An AAS is considered the lowest of the associate degrees because it requires little general ed and is considered a "terminal" degree,

NOT ANYMORE!


meaning that most folks who get AAS degrees generally don't pursue a bachelors program afterward.

BECAUSE THEY GET EMPLOYED FASTER, THEY MAKE THE WORKFORCE FASTER WHICH IS WHAT THE AAS DEGREE IS DESIGNED TO DO.


Schools also tend to assume AAS credits will transfer poorly into a bachelors program.

NOT IF THEY HAVE AN APPLIED SCIENCE BACHELORS PROGRAM, IT WILL TRANSFER GREATLY.

There are plenty of degrees out there called Bachelors of Applied Science, Bachelors of Applied Technology, or Bachelors of Professional studies that will accept ALL credit from an AS/AAS program and allow you to finish off a bachelors degree. Excelsior has a BPS program that I have written about extensively on this forum just do a little search.

In general. An AAS degree is not a LOWEST degree by any means. If you terminated your AS degree your AA degree or your AAS degree, the one with an AAS degree would more than likely get the job. An AA or AS degree is only good WHEN you finish up your Bachelors. If you quit the program, or don't continue on to your Bachelors for whatever reason, your AS or AA means NOTHING!!! An AAS degree will relax alot of courses that have nothing to do with the program, but instead, will jump into the meat and potatoes of the program itself. It's designed with less BS in mind and more getting down to the nitty gritty of the program with hands on skills. It's actually an APPLIED SCIENCE. How is this lowest of Associates Degrees?
I detest this. I have an AAS in Aviation Maintenance Technology. I hold that in very high regard over my Associates of Arts which did beans for me . Couple that with my AA degree, and I may be close to a BAST in Aviation Mx Technology.
I don't know about nursing. Not my concern. Remember this. AAS can pay down the bills with least amount of college, more straightfoward curriculm and is not a limited degree ANYMORE! Those against my degree just haven't used their hands like I have. They only played with the books!

[sanantone]

The AAS is fine if you're in a field that does not have a preference for higher degrees. AA and AS degrees are great for those looking to complete all of their general education requirements cheaply at a CC. Like Cookderosa, I haven't seen much of a difference between the number of gen ed requirements for AS and AA programs. The AS programs might require more and higher math and science gen ed as opposed to humanities and social science. Nursing at the bachelors level is almost always, if not always, a BSN. Hospitals are starting to prefer BSNs.

[29palms]

All that may be true, but my point is that I don't consider my AAS a lower degree than an AA. I view my AAS degree far more profitable. Now, had I continued with an AA degree and Bachelored into something, that may be a different story, and maybe not but degree for degree, I view the AAS far more valuable and far better structured into achieving your goal, which is to get jobs. An AS or AA won't do you a hill of beans if you do not continue on. I see alot of people seem to get stuck with an AA degree because money rules them out alot of the times in continuing a higher education into a university for instance. With an AAS degree, you can quit college and probably hash out something. Just because an AAS is associated with a "TRADE" doesn't neccissarily mean its a lower degree. In fact, I find more people working in what they actually studied with an AAS degree. It's more tunnelled. In my field, experience in the aviation world seems to be the qualifier more than schools. Having a bachelors as an aircraft mechanic in aviation mx technology may land you supervisory, or management positions, but there are guys in those positions based on experience...(and politics) with no degrees. But we all agree that you can only go so far without a bachelors. Like I doubt you will ever see CEO without one. And as you approach a target selection interview, it helps to be able to rattle off your degree as a selling point along with your years of service and experience. Schools have caught on to this and there is life beyond an AAS degree unlike it was some 10-20 years ago.