BOG associate degree

[rachel83az]

AA = Associate of Arts
AAS = Associate of Applied Science
AS = Associate of Science

It depends on the school. But, from what I can tell, the AA is similar to a BALS - usually generic and mostly gen ed credits. AS is similar but requires more science-type courses; may be used to go on to a BS at university. AAS is for terminal degrees that can be used to get a job: vet tech, computer science, paralegal, etc. There are relatively few gen ed credits, compared to the other two, and most of the credits (the BOG degree is an exception) are highly career-specific.

[SweetsugarNL]

Thank you so much.

In my country, we also have a Bachelor of Applied Science
This is a 4-year program (and it is "lower" than a BA)

Where a normal BA is 3 years (+ 1 years master)

Sometimes it is funny to see so many differences between the countries.

[dfrecore]

AA -- Associate of the Arts
AAS -- Associate of Applied Science

AA and AS are associates degrees, usually AA's have more Humanities/Social Sciences while AS's have more math/science.  There are also AA/AS degrees with majors that transfer to a 4yr school and have those LL courses built in (AA in Communication>>BA in Communication, AA in Psychology>>BA in Psychology, ASBA>>BSBA, etc.).

AAS degrees are generally terminal degrees that lead directly to a job, and have fewer GE's required (usually 20/40 in terms of GE to major coursework ratio).  Lots of lower-level medical jobs have AAS degrees, where you spend most of the time doing hands-on clinical-type courses and there is generally an internship required, and there may also be a course that spends time preparing you for a national exam (kind of like a RN degree usually has a course to prepare you for the NCLEX).  You may also get an AAS in the trades (welding, plumbing, carpentry, electrician, etc.).

[ss20ts]

Thank you so much.

In my country, we also have a Bachelor of Applied Science
This is a 4-year program (and it is "lower" than a BA)

Where a normal BA is 3 years (+ 1 years master)

Sometimes it is funny to see so many differences between the countries.

What country are you from? Wondering because you asked about being an international student at UMPI. There have a specific program for folks in Canada that's different than the regular international program.

[SweetsugarNL]

Thank you so much.

In my country, we also have a Bachelor of Applied Science
This is a 4-year program (and it is "lower" than a BA)

Where a normal BA is 3 years (+ 1 years master)

Sometimes it is funny to see so many differences between the countries.

What country are you from? Wondering because you asked about being an international student at UMPI. There have a specific program for folks in Canada that's different than the regular international program.

The Netherlands

[StoicJ]

Nice! So, if you don't need a visa then they may be able to work with you to get an Associate's degree. In countries where an Associate's degree can matter, this would still be cheaper than UoPeople.

Very close at least. Definitely faster.

BCTC will accept 57 credits for transfer, UoPeople will accept 45. You would need to complete 5 courses through UoPeople, versus just 1 at BCTC.

UoPeople: $60 applicaton + ($120 per course x 5) + (15 transfers x $17) = $915 for an AS in computer science, health science, or business administration.

Now that I think about it, UoPeople is going to be pickier about the transfers. My guess is there will be at least 2-4 courses per program that you won't find ultra-cheap, ultra-fast alternative credits for.

[gams007]

Nice! So, if you don't need a visa then they may be able to work with you to get an Associate's degree. In countries where an Associate's degree can matter, this would still be cheaper than UoPeople.

Very close at least. Definitely faster.

BCTC will accept 57 credits for transfer, UoPeople will accept 45. You would need to complete 5 courses through UoPeople, versus just 1 at BCTC.

UoPeople: $60 applicaton + ($120 per course x 5) + (15 transfers x $17) = $915 for an AS in computer science, health science, or business administration.

Now that I think about it, UoPeople is going to be pickier about the transfers. My guess is there will be at least 2-4 courses per program that you won't find ultra-cheap, ultra-fast alternative credits for.

I think the same is better to Join BCTC you and up with a RA degree besides a NA.

[rachel83az]

Countries where an Associate's degree still matters probably don't distinguish between NA and RA degrees. However, that is a good point. The RA degree will certainly be worth more in the long run.

[StoicJ]

Countries where an Associate's degree still matters probably don't distinguish between NA and RA degrees. However, that is a good point. The RA degree will certainly be worth more in the long run.

Oh, I thought an AS Computer Science from an NA could possibly be worth more than an AAS Board of Governors from an RA.

[rachel83az]

Countries where an Associate's degree still matters probably don't distinguish between NA and RA degrees. However, that is a good point. The RA degree will certainly be worth more in the long run.

Oh, I thought an AS Computer Science from an NA could possibly be worth more than an AAS Board of Governors from an RA.

It really depends. Your country, your immediate employment goals, and your future career goals all play a part. There are countries where an NA CS degree wouldn't even be worth as much as an own-country HS diploma. If you want to continue on to a Bachelor's degree, an NA degree isn't going to be overly useful unless you go to somewhere like Excelsior. And Excelsior doesn't have a CS degree that you can easily/cheaply get with alt credits. 

If you need employment ASAP, an RA Associate's degree + a couple of industry certs will almost certainly be more worthwhile to obtain than a NA CS degree.