Why did you get your Associate's Degree? / Why will you get your Associate's Degree?

I was in and out of schools for 15 years. I really needed some motivation to continue on with my studies and complete my BS. I obtained an A.S. in Liberal Studies with Excelsior. While it was a nice feeling receiving that first diploma in the mail, if I had it to do all over again, I would skip the AS and save myself about $1500.

 

What about those of us who choose not to get one? Do you want to hear why we didnt?

 

I'm going to go ahead and follow this line. In my case, I have chosen to skip the AA/AS route. I would actually really like to have it, both as a sense of accomplishment on the way, and as a "resume padder." However, it would cost me additional time and money because of my individual situation when I decided to pursue my degree. I'm on a tight (though self-imposed) time schedule, and money is tight.

Additionally, I am aspiring to the field of secondary education; I have not found that an Associate's adds any tangible benefits in this field. So, to me, it was not worth it.

 

:lmao: Hey MC, we can start our own stinking thread if you don't want our company. :lmao:

 

nope! Just thought the those who are reading this thread as to why people get one might also be interested in why not to get one You know that ol both side of the coin thing

 

I have two - an A.A.S. in Aerospace Physiology Technology (2001) and an A.A.S. in Education & Training Management (2007). I will be picking up a third, an A.A.S. in Air & Space Operations Technology, next summer. All three are through the Community College of the Air Force.

Why get them? My employer expects it. In many ways, more emphasis is put on them than the higher level degrees that I have. With that said, the first one was a nice springboard into my B.S.

 

Yesh......

 

In my first career, my associates degree WAS my degree, so nothing to think about there. When I earned my...what shall I call it..... oh! My Personal Enrichment degree from TESC, I did what you talked about. At the time, I was 1 quarter away from my BA graduation and thought it showed my path accurately. *which was: that my first degree didn't count for anything, these were 120 new credits, so I thought it contrasted me from the guy who did his associate degree then went back in for another 60 credits for a bachelor's. So, I earned 63+122 vs 60+60 and I wanted it reflected on paper.
In hindsite, it's kinda irrelevant and I don't even list it. It was an extra $450. Since it amounted to a 3 month difference between the issuing of my AA until my BA, I think it looks lame and suspect, so I just ignore it.

 

I did not earn an associate's degree because I attended a traditional liberal arts college for my undergraduate studies. There really was no benefit for me to pursue the AA because I was on track to finish my BA at 20 years of age. The thought of getting an AA never crossed my mind, but even if it had, pursuing an AA likely would have caused problems for the scholarship package I received.

If I were attending college as a nontraditional student, I would probably pursue an AA, mostly because I like diplomas and lines on the resume. I could also see an advantage of having an AA in the interim on the path to the BA while in the workforce. It didn't really make much difference for me, as an 18 year old looking for a part-time job won't have much leverage with or without an AA!

 

At the time, I had planned to complete my entire bachelor's degree with Excelsior or TESC, but given certain career concerns I decided to expedite my Associate's with them so I could have some sort of degree to put on my resume. I don't regret it, as I have access to Excelsior's alumni library resources.

 

I completed my A.A.S. in electrical technology with plans of working in the field after I left the Navy. When I decided to go for a BA/BS I learned about the limits of my degree and started to hate that I went that route. Now I am trying to fill in the holes and increase my options, which has led to my severe case of analysis paralysis. I hate I wasted a nice chunk of my GI Bill on my A.A.S. degree and diesel mechanics certificate.

 

Why I did get one - I completed my AA as a stepping stone to my BS. In the event I did not want to go on, I would have something.

Why I may be getting another one - I am considering an AS from Florida State College since I started it a long time ago but started and dropped a few classes and never finished it. I guess I was never committed to it. The 4 classes I need are all online now so I may just finish what I started in 2002 or so. Besides that, my "traditional looking resume" would look pretty good if I ever wanted to change jobs.

•Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Risk Management – University of Florida
•BS in Individualized Studies (Business & Technology) – Charter Oak State College
•AS in Industrial Technology Management – Florida State College at Jacksonville
•Certificate in Accounting Technology - Florida State College at Jacksonville
•Certificate in Lean Six Sigma – University of South Florida

 

I've currently got three associate degrees and am working on a forth.

AOS, Computer Information Systems, Remington College - this was my first degree, earned in '97. I was thinking it would be my final degree until I'd worked in my current field (IT) a few years and realized a lot of employers wanted more education. Plus the experience there left a sour taste in my mouth.

AS, Business Admin, Tidewater Community College - completed this as part of my plan to transfer to ODU afterward and complete a BS in CIS. Unfortunately that plan didn't work out.

AS, Social Sciences, Tidewater Community College - completed this with a random lot of credits I'd taken here and there. No graduation fees or anything, just had to submit the application and get approved for it.

AAS, Accounting, Tidewater Community College (in progress) - I'd already racked up a certificate in accounting and decided to take the final 2 courses and finish out the degree. Don't know if I'll ever use it, but it's resume fodder if nothing else.

 

I went for my AA to have a strong starting point for a BS/BA program. Just having it, and walking the line when I graduated gave me the first taste of higher education success. Soon after I had the Bachelors bug, so with my AA in hand I went on to a BS program when I just recently finished at NYIT!!

I say get the AA or AS, it's the beginning of a great higher education road.

 

Initially I choose to get an Associates degree on the way toward my Bachelors just in-case I lost the means or motivation to complete my Bachelors, and at least I could say I have something by having my Associates. But then, I figured my Associates Degree in Social & Behavioral Sciences would nicely compliment my Bachelors Degree in Emergency Services Management.

 

My daughter went through a strange experience in getting her AA, maybe it involves the extra classes you mention. She followed her degree plan all the way through her time at the city college and when she finished everything she thought she was done and could get her AA. When she applied for graduation, they at first approved it and then sent her a letter saying that she had to take two more classes. She got frustrated and decided to blow it off and go straight for her BS at a 4 year school than spend an extra semester completing the two extra classes. I'm not sure if they changed the requirements while she was attending or what, but it appeared that the rules changed on her.