value of an A.A/A.S, college teaching w/ just a bachelors

#1 I would just like to get an opinion on a few questions I have. Is there really a value in the associates degree? I have 2 of them, and yes they did get rid of all of my lower division requirements for my B.A. and B.S., but do people with just an A.A. or A.S. make something of them? I know that sounds like im downgrading the 2 year degree, but is it just technical fields (i.e. engineering, IT) that make something of them? I know quite a few IT guys I work w/ that have no degree at all and make like 75k a year, (which I think is total BS!, but that's a discussion for another time). I remember when I was looking for summer jobs before I got my B.A, no one even noted the fact that I held two associates degrees, or seemed to really even care.

#2 Is it possible to teach college courses (speficially community college) without a masters? I am working on one, but I would really like to know if I can get into the adjunct field to get my feet wet somewhere.

Any opinion or input is appreciated as always, thank you!

 

Of course everyone's situation is unique, but in my case I got a significant (10%) raise when I got my A.S. degree. However, I think once you get a Bachelor's degree, it sort-of cancels the Associate's. The only reason I list mine is because it's from a different school than where I earned my B.A.

As far as teaching, it's possible to teach with no degree at all if you have significant experience in the area (I bet Bill Gates could score a job teaching Computer Science). However, most teachers I've seen in community colleges have at least a Master's degree, although a fair number have just a Bachelor's.

 

Art vs. Science at the Associates Level:

At RA institutions, this is how I understand it:

• To teach at the A.S. level, the candidate needs at least an Associates degree in the area to be taught.
  
• To teach at the A.A. level, the candidate needs at least 18 graduate level credits in the area to be taught.

 

From Florida Community College adjunct requirements-

Liberal Arts
Qualifications for the following are a master’s degree with eighteen graduate hours in the subject area. A general master’s degree in education will not meet these requirements.
American History
Anatomy
Anthropology
Art
Astronomy
Biology
Chemistry
Earth and Space Science
Economics
English
English as a Second Language
Geology
Humanities
Math
Meteorology
Microbiology
Music
Philosophy
Physical Science

Physiology
Political Science
Psychology
Religion
Sign Language
Social Sciences
Sociology
Spanish
Speech


Workforce Education
Qualifications for the following are a bachelor’s degree (associate’s degree for Funeral Services), supplemented by related work experience and/or industry credential/license.
Accounting
Computer Networking*
Criminal Justice
Dental
Funeral Services
Human Services
Nursing

 

thanks

Thanks for the Information guys, it looks like where I live (VA) 99% of colleges require a masters degree w/ the 18 specialization credits. Thanks Again!

 

I too am in Florida and find that AS programs do frequently allow teachers with only a BS to teach Laborotory classes - those in which the lecture section is taught by someone with a graduate degree. Specifically I have seen this done in EMT/Paramedic programs, Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology and Nursing Skills labs.

I think the AS is a useful degree, especially in Nursing and allied health fields - paramedic, medical lab tech, radiography, respiratory therapy. I really can't find a use for an AA, other than as a stepping stone to a higher degree; unless one gains a benefit from it such as a raise, personal satisfaction, stops drinking

 

At the community college level I have seen folks teach vocational courses with just an Associate degree and some with Bachelor degrees. For those on the college level track (going on to a 4 year degree) instructors that teach these courses typically have a Masters with the 18 units of graduate level credit as noted above. Another exception is non-credit continuing education courses where instructors have taught specialized courses with no degree (but significant experience in the area) to Associates and on up.

John

 

At California Community Colleges, the requirement to teach "academic" subjects (mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, computer science, humanities, etc.) was completion of a masters degree.

Vocational subjects (culinary arts, medical/dental assistant. air conditioning/heating, auto technology, computer info systems, etc.) could be taught with a bachelors and 3 years field experience or an associate and 5 years field experience.

Of course the more education and experience that you had, the higher your salary.

Tony Piña
Faculty, CSU San Bernardino

 

As far as the teaching credentials discussion goes, it all comes down to accreditation. All of the regional accrediting bodies require that instructors in classes that are "intended for academic transfer" must have a Master's degree, with at least 18 hours in the subject in which they are teaching.

In "techinical" areas in which the courses are not intended for academic transfer, the qualifications vary. Industry experience is always important, and the highest degree called for may be an Associate's, a Bachelor's, or in some cases, no degree at all.

The definitions of the various degrees differs. In some states, an A.S. is a "technical" degree. In some states, an A.S. is an academic degree, and the technical degrees are designated as "A.A.S" (Associate's of Applied Science.)

 

In my local area, I've noticed a lot of want ads for industrial positions,i.e. Machinist Apprentice, Warehouse, etc., the ads will specify an Associates as a minimum requirement.

 

My ex has a AAS in dietetics from SUNY Cobleskill. She has always found work, and since our divorce has accelerated in income growth. In my opinion, after a work record develops, the academic credentials become less important if advancing with the same firm. On the other hand, it may provide an edge in competing for a job.

It depends, I have taught adjunct at Davenport University in the past with a MBA, however some colleagues did have only a bachelors degree. These tended to be professional secondary school teachers and those posessing professional licenses and certifications, ie CPA/accountants and RN's with a BSN.

Part of the criteria for RA with North Central is the ratio of teachers with graduate credentials. Davenport was moving toward all Masters level at the time when I was there. In addition, bachelor level teachers earned significantly less.

 

I adjunct teach accounting courses at a community college in Virginia. I have a BSBA in Accounting from an AACSB-accredited school and I've earned 12 graduate hours in accounting and am currently pursuing my MBA.

I can teach any accounting courses with only the Bachelor's EXCEPT those that are transferable to 4-year schools. In other words, I can teach Intermediate Accounting, but not Principles. How odd is that?