Excelsior AS in Technology with Specialty

Has anyone gone though the Associate in Science in Technology with Specialty in Optical Technologies or any other specialty at Excelsior? I know people with an AS degree usualy get it first and go on toward their BS but can you go out in the work field with an AS or is that jast an AAS degree? right now I just want my AS or AAS and leave the option of a BS in the future.

Thanks
Mike

Oh yeah...From what I'v read about optical related jobs is that it is on the rise what do you all think about this field?

 

If I remember correctly, the difference between the AS in technology and AAS in Technical Studies was:

- More general education requirements (making it more transfer friendly into the BS in Technology)

- The technology component was little more structured. For example, in the electronics specialty you needed a series of electronics related classes (ac/dc, digital, microprocessor, etc.)




The AAS (I have the AAS in tech studies w/ electro-mechanical tech) allowed me to plug in my military ACE credits (which had ac/dc, digital electronics, solid state, aircraft systems, etc.). If I had chosen the AS in Technology, I would probably had a lot more tech credits put into electives. Which, would have left some open spaces in the technology component.

I don't think you will be short changed from an entry level tech position because you have an AS in Technology vs. an AAS in Technical studies. Now, having an AA in preengineering (or something similar) is when you would have a problem getting into the industry w/o a BS. This is because an engineering degree (vs. an engineering technology) cover the foundations of engineering before the actual engineering subjects (calc series, physics, etc.). An added benefit would be that your AS would transfer nicely into the BS in Technology. On the other hand, if you had the right tech courses in an AAS, it would transfer nicely as well (just a little lacking in the general ed. department).

Hope this helps!

BReady

 

Well, I am in the semiconductor industry; however, the optical inspection and lithography tools where I work are always down and someone always working on them (cursing and yelling I might add). So, that may mean job security (relatively speaking compared to the semiconductor industry as a whole atleast).

BReady

 

Has anyone just recieved an AS degree only and gone out into the workforce? I see here most people go after their BS. I would Like to get an AS find a job and later go after my BS.

Mike

 

The question has to be, Do you have any experience? That will be the deciding factor when it comes to getting a job (generally) with just an AS degree.

I have an AAS and AA degree and I got hired, but I had prior military experience and a security clearance...

Results may vary

 

I think it is a good idea to complete your A.S. first, so you could have something to list on your resume, then complete the Bachelor's.


Abner