Associates degree question

[studyhard]

I have finished my studies for my bachelor's in history and should be graduating in September. I have toyed with the idea of pursuing an associates as a veterinary tech. I have two questions:

1. Does an associates follow the same sort of outline as a bachelor's, just cut in half? i.e., 30 general credits, 15 credits for the major, 15 free electives?

2. Would a local college that only accepts, say, half a dozen CLEPs, accept all of my CLEP/DSST credits as an actual transferring credit from TESC? Or would they view them as just CLEPs and DSSTs and limit me on how many I can use?

[bawhitsett]

1) Depends on the type of associate degree, most transfer degrees (AS or AA) complete 42 - 45 general education credits in some fashion with the electives usually falling into the social sciences / humanities categories... applied associate degrees (AAS) are more specific.

2) CLEP and DANTES tests are considered as such, not as actual classwork from another institution, and thus are limited at most institutions.

[cookderosa]

I have finished my studies for my bachelor's in history and should be graduating in September. I have toyed with the idea of pursuing an associates as a veterinary tech. I have two questions:

1. Does an associates follow the same sort of outline as a bachelor's, just cut in half? i.e., 30 general credits, 15 credits for the major, 15 free electives?

2. Would a local college that only accepts, say, half a dozen CLEPs, accept all of my CLEP/DSST credits as an actual transferring credit from TESC? Or would they view them as just CLEPs and DSSTs and limit me on how many I can use?

It's not cut and dry. I have a hunch your seeking a degree outside the arts and science department.

Is the vet tech an AS or AOS degree? If so, you'd be lucky to get 15 gen ed credits in there. In the "career" track programs, they are usually very very specific. For example, my culinary students take "culinary math" not "math." So- no CLEP coming in, and it will never transfer out into a BA program. I won't get up on my soap box (ie future dissertation topic LOL) , but I will say that you will need to meet with an advisor for THAT PROGRAM (not a generic college advisor) and get the real inside information. Trust me when I tell you- that an associate degree in a trade/career track is going to be LONGER than your bachelors because you will probably need to do all of it in the classroom and possibly including some type of practicum or clinical lab. Labs are usually 3 contact hours per credit (yes that's up to 9 hours per week for a 3 credit course!). So......if your looking at a 60ish credit program, I think your going to be in for a minimum of 45 credits at 12/semester (6/summer) or just under 2 years full time.

Now, if your vet tech is part of a transfer pre-vet med type of thing, you will probably get to use your gen ed credit again! In that case, you might only be looking at 33ish credits plus pre-reqs. It will be heavy math/science, so I'll just guess your only sitting on about 12 credits in that area now....so maybe you would need an A &P, bio, and algebra. That's a total estimate based on what I looked at for my college here. A second BA might be faster, a masters would be too.

I realize that might not be good news, so I am sorry about that. But, the college will try and sell you the program rather than explore what's in your best interest, so just go in with your eyes wide open.

[studyhard]

Wow, thanks for the info. This is all new to me.

What exactly is the difference between an AS and an AOS?

[cookderosa]

Wow, thanks for the info. This is all new to me.

What exactly is the difference between an AS and an AOS?

>>


Nothing- everything.

Associates of Applied Science/Associates of Occupational Studies. It depends on the issuing college as to what they call it. It really just means that it's not a "college transfer" program.

These degrees are where you hear about all the "different" programs like horticulture, sign language interpreter, culinary arts, wellness, video game design, graphic arts, welding, truck driving, massage, business (some), travel and tourism, vet tech, etc. (the fun! things) These programs are usually trade-specific and it's a large cash cow for community colleges. It's how we professionalize industries (ie create degrees and certificates) for non-academics. It meets a small need, but in my opinion, most people don't understand that these degrees are terminal. (dead end) A college will never tell you what these degrees prevent you from doing, only how they will help you achieve your dreams. (ohhhh close to my soap box, but I had good restraint) hilarious

Do your homework, in many (maybe vet tec, maybe not- I have no idea) but in many of these types of programs take you into low paying jobs.

[studyhard]

Okay, the light is getting slightly clearer. So you're saying that none of the classes would transfer as college credit if I wanted to go on for a bachelor's in that area?

[cookderosa]

Okay, the light is getting slightly clearer. So you're saying that none of the classes would transfer as college credit if I wanted to go on for a bachelor's in that area?

>>


There is no way to know that, but here are the questions YOU have to find out directly from the program's advisor (not a general advisor).

1. What is the exact title of the degree? (AS/AA would be better than AAS/AOS for a possible bachelor degree later)

2. Does our program have IN PLACE a written transfer agreement into a bachelor program, and if so, with who? (ask for a copy, no exceptions)

3. How many credits will ______ college (from question 2) apply to a bachelor degree? (this should be in the written policy, but ask anyway)

4. Do you know of any graduates who have went into the transfer program?

5. NAMES NAMES NAMES. Pump for information about specifically where the graduates are working. If they don't know or won't say, run-don't walk- away. They probably won't give you graduate's names, but you can find that out on your own by calling the offices where alumni are working Don't skip this step. This is the BEST help you will get. You need to talk to people working in the field who have been through the program- paid the money- put in the time- and did a job search. They will tell you if they had regrets, and it's worth listening to. Talk to three grads, and you might even meet a few drop outs. Talk to them all- it's worth knowing.

(I'm going to write something I shouldn't, but I stand by it. The reason you need to talk to a drop out or two is because if you only talk to the students who stay with the program, it can sometimes be because they have no where else to go or don't always know what they don't know. We graduate average students because they don't know our program is average. MANY of my drop outs went into high quality culinary programs like where I attended, and I would be lying if I said this wasn't without my prompting.)

Lastly, if you get answers you like- then you have asked the right questions and can feel confident that your enrolling in the right program.

[studyhard]

This is VERY helpful info, Jennifer. Thanks!

[cookderosa]

This is VERY helpful info, Jennifer. Thanks!

>>


You are quite welcome. Now, if it wouldn't be too much trouble, let me know how this all unfolds for you!

[BABEY]

>>


Nothing- everything.

Associates of Applied Science/Associates of Occupational Studies. It depends on the issuing college as to what they call it. It really just means that it's not a "college transfer" program.

These degrees are where you hear about all the "different" programs like horticulture, sign language interpreter, culinary arts, wellness, video game design, graphic arts, welding, truck driving, massage, business (some), travel and tourism, vet tech, etc. (the fun! things) These programs are usually trade-specific and it's a large cash cow for community colleges. It's how we professionalize industries (ie create degrees and certificates) for non-academics. It meets a small need, but in my opinion, most people don't understand that these degrees are terminal. (dead end) A college will never tell you what these degrees prevent you from doing, only how they will help you achieve your dreams. (ohhhh close to my soap box, but I had good restraint) hilarious

Do your homework, in many (maybe vet tec, maybe not- I have no idea) but in many of these types of programs take you into low paying jobs.

Hi Jennifer,

I was wondering about this because I have enough credit for a Business Administrative AAS. I don't want to pursue a bachelors in Business, I want to go in the Nursing or Vet. Haven't made up my mind yet.

Question.
Which school would be more recognizable, Excelsior or TESC? Do you have any idea of the cost. I saw where EC is $510 and TESC over $2000, am I correct?

It would be great to here from you.

thanks