AAS degree is one of the undergraduate degrees offered in universities. Usually, the aas runs for only two years before the students are awarded the degree. The aas degree is a career-specific course undertaken for people who want to concentrate on a particular degree instead of taking another four years. The course is designed to be more practical so that by the time the students graduate, they have a mastery of the job they want to do. Let us know ‘Is an AAS Degree Worth Anything?’
Is an AAS Degree Worth Anything?
Students who are pursuing an Aas degree are required to cover a range of courses of which, most of which are applied science related. This is because basic sciences are used to develop information to explain things in the natural world. Basic science like biochemistry, zoology, botany, and entomology deal with research and development. At the same time, medical sciences such as; physiology, anatomy, and microbiology provide the knowledge to solve and treat diseases. The pharmacy and chemistry sector researches drugs, dosage, and cures. The engineering sector talks about more production of new technology and its uses. The geology sector involves processing rocks, studying planets, and managing landmarks.
Now with all these courses lined up for an associate of science degree, you might want to know the benefits of all these, and if the degree is worth it, well, you will find out soon.
Branches of Applied Sciences:
Applied Science is divided into three main branches, with different areas of science. Therefore, types of science and its areas of study will help you understand what you will gain from an AAS degree. As stated before, applied science is a vast area of study that encompasses various disciplines. This will be explained below.
The Three Types of Applied Science:
Applied Science constitutes three main branches, namely
- Natural Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Formal Sciences
Natural Sciences:
Deals with the study of the universe. It studies the natural phenomena like geological, chemical, physical, cosmological, and biological factors of the world and universe. The three types of natural sciences include:
- Physics: the study of the properties and interaction of space, time, energy, and matter.
- Chemistry: the study of the composition and constitution of substances and their changes.
- Biology: the study of life. Therefore, biology studies the structure, functions, and behavior of living things. Biology is an intensive course that requires devoted time, learning and research, ongoing fieldwork, and practice.
Social Sciences:
Studies human behavior, relationship, and interaction with different cultures in the society are explained in social science. It also includes the study of the earth, which deals with environmental development. Social Sciences talks about ancient and fossil remains, rocks, minerals, and the origin of cultures of different ethics.
Field of Study under Social Science are:
- Psychology: Psychology is the study of mind and behavior. Which has to do with the biological influences, social pressures, and environmental factors that affect how humans reason, behave and feel.
- Sociology: deals with the study of human social relationships and their culture in society.
- Anthropology is the study of humanity, understanding our evolutionary origin, species, and the significant number of humans worldwide.
- Archaeology: the study and collection of ancient remains.
- Geology is the study of rocks and the earth’s crust, and all planets. It is the science that studies the structure of the world
- Meteorology studies the atmosphere and its phenomenon, which deals with weather analysis and weather forecasts.
- Land planners: career path for people working on land management and development.
- Oceanography is the exploration and scientific study of the oceans. Therefore, this field explains the phenomenon of the sea, marine life, and aquatic habitat in the ocean.
- Paleseaogy: a study of fossil algae and history from fossils, helping people understand the origin of the earth.
- Environmental Science: a study of the environment that has to do with human health and safety.
Formal science:
It is a branch of science that deals with formal systems that traditionally provide knowledge about the nature of different disciplines, which includes mathematics, logic, computer science, and information technology.
Branches of formal sciences are:
- Mathematics
- Logic
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Statistics
- Systems Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Information Technology, etc.
From scientific knowledge and research, natural sciences, social sciences, and formal science are the fundamental sciences that make up the basis of interdisciplinary research and applied sciences. Applied Science generally applies to basic science, solving, innovation, technology reform, and medical advancement. However, basic science requires the students to borrow courses from other applied sciences, while an AAS restricts students from taking classes from different disciplines.
Is An AAS Degree Worth IT?
A BAS degree is a well-known profession; even an average person who has not crossed the four walls of the University can still mention basic science introductory courses.
Associate of applied science (AAS) is a two-year undergraduate degree. An associate of applied science degree was created to educate students in a specific career and to build skills and expertise in a particular field. The individual coursework entails preparing and making students to be the best for outstanding jobs.
AAS can be said to be a great degree program with a limited time. However, it is based primarily on the vocational theoretical part. Therefore, Is an associate of applied science worth it? The answer depends on what you want at that moment.
Assuming you are not financially capable of sponsoring yourself in school yet, but you want to study professional courses? You can still get your dream course by going for an AAS degree study which you will complete in two years and then be gainfully employed. You can then enroll in a BS degree and study the professional course of your choice.
Advantages of an AAS:
1. A job with good benefits: AAS degree has many job opportunities and offers good benefits and high salaries. For example, well-trained plumbers, welders, and electricians are entitled to insurance and retirement plans. Moreover, they are union jobs, and the wages and benefits are better than non-union jobs.
2. A secured job: Although many guaranteed jobs exist, people with AAS degrees tend to book employment faster. For instance, electricians or plumbers are always in high demand. Since it’s skilled work, even in challenging economic times, their service will still be needed.
3. Promotion: The unique thing about AAS degree jobs is that AAS is about training, so being the best in your field leads to promotion. Therefore endeavor to be the best in your area, then opportunities and promotions will come.
4. High-paying jobs: AAS degree does not only provide employment opportunities but promotes job opportunities with high-paying salaries. Here are the highest paying jobs in AAS degree, namely:
- Dental hygienist: a professional who specializes in teeth health by providing preventive care and treatment of gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental problems. They also perform teeth cleaning and oral examinations.
- Diagnostic medical sonographer: A person who specializes in ultrasound technology to create images of the body. These images are x-rayed results used by physicians to diagnose and treat medical conditions.
- Nuclear medicine technologist: A professional who uses ultrasound materials to diagnose and treat diseases.
Disadvantages of an AAS Degree:
1. Many Career Options are Limited. Although an AAS degree gives you a well-paying job, it can deprive you of other job opportunities. For instance, an AAS degree restricts you to a particular field, precisely one aspect. A trained welder or plumber might love to work in another field. A person qualified to be a welder without additional information or knowledge about other areas has limited chances.
2. Rejects credits
AAS degree is a good program for a particular purpose and period. When the need arises that you decide to go back to school, Universities and four-year course colleges do not accept credits from two-year- colleges. However, you have to start from scratch.
3. Some Jobs Don’t Pay Well
Although an AAS degree creates well-paying jobs, some don’t pay well. Let’s look at this profession and its salary. Dental hygienists work hard by the end of the month to make #10,000,000, whereas medical assistance collects #400,000. Although they are AAS degree holders, there is a big difference in their salary.
4. They Do Not Offer Good Jobs With Benefits always
Some AAS offer good job benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans, a plus to the degree, mainly if you worked hard to earn it, while most job opportunities don’t provide those benefits. Although an AAS degree might offer all these benefits, there are more significant benefits given by jobs that require a four-year degree.
Differences between AS and AAS:
An applied science (AS) degree and an Associate of Applied Science(AAS) degree are not the same; their processes and study outline are different.
AAS degree is a short-period program that focuses on giving training to solve real-life problems. An associate of applied science degree is specific and direct on training the student in their field of choice, which is completed as soon as possible.
An AS degree, although on the higher side in terms of tuition fees, is detailed and prepares students for advanced studies.
If you are going for a course with a lesser tuition fee, an AAS is a better choice, but if you know what you want and have a good source of income and financial support, an AS degree is a good choice.
Nevertheless, an AAS prepares you for immediate work while an AS grind and educates you to fit some more prominent positions. So they both are worth it, and you have the choice to choose for yourself, but an AAS degree is worth it, depending on your chosen field.
Transferable Associate of Science Degree:
It is established that you can not only complete the degree in two years, but it will also help you get jobs and improve your career path. Many students who want to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree want to know if their credits from aas can be transferred to their current course
Most universities give students the leverage of transferring their credits accumulated when they did their AAS degree into the new course. But it would help if you did this from an accredited regional institution. So yes, your aas degree can be transferable.
Conclusion:
Applying for an associate of applied science is worth your time and money. You have seen that an AAS degree helps you save both money and time and also a heavy load-work.
However, it would help if you also understood that an AS degree is a good choice and many people benefit from it. An AS requires a lot of money, time, and effort in studying because it’s a broad field.
In all, an AAS and an AS are good fields of science, but you should make a choice. Do you want to work in a specific area of life, do you want an education with less cost, also do you want to start working in no time, then an AAS degree is for you and will give you what you want.
But if you are a lover of education in ancient times to study the details of your dream course, an AS is here for you to choose from. Therefore, from the pros and cons of the degrees, the choices are for you to make.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How Much is the AAS Degree?
Aas degrees, tuition fees are relatively lower compared to other degrees. First, it takes less than two years to finish, and secondly, it is more of a practical course, so there is a reduced cost of buying tons of textbooks.
- What Are the Application Procedures for an AAS Degree?
To apply for the associate of applied science degree, all you have to do is head over to the make a search on the school admission portal you are using and fill out all the necessary and mandatory information needed to get you started, then wait for the instructions that follow
- Should I Get an AAS Degree or an AS Degree?
This question depends on your mindset and purpose. I want to start working as soon as possible; an associate of science degree is good for you and worth your sacrifice. Then someone that loves education and wants to be versatile chooses an AS degree.
