3 credits from an A.S.

I'm in a B.A. program but this close to parchment, what do I do?

Dave

KC7WGB

 

I wouldn't bother unless the associate's degree was very applicable to my career. I actually faced this.

When I was in the Air Force, I was enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force's A.A.S. program in Education Adminstration and Methodology. This was the program most closely aligned to my Air Force Specialty, Education Services. The program is designed around awarding credit for your military training, then adding college credit to round out your degree. I was 3 credits from finishing, but didn't want to take a single course that would not also apply to my bachelor's degree (in Business, from USNY). I ended up finishing two bachelor's and entering an MBA without that A.A.S. Finally, one of the courses I took towards my MBA also fit the A.A.S. program and I got the degree. It has proven to be absolutely useless, even though I became an Education and Training officer in the Air Force, retired, and have spent the last 6 years as a corporate trainer. The A.A.S. is directly related to my field. But it is the MBA that matters.

Just a story and a moral: don't go out of your way to get it.

 

It's not out of my way Rich. I've always looked down on associates degrees as being job training. With both parent's being retired teachers with Masters degrees plus I've only been comfortable with complete rebellion ( no degree ) or towing the line, Ph.D. bound!

Thanks for the kind words!!

Dave

KC7WGB

 

depends on what you need

I don't know what you need for work credentials. When I worked in rehabilitation I was dealing with people who had significant setbacks in their life and plans. Getting the AS was a success, and nothing builds success, like success. My consumers/clients also needed credentials to be able to work. My consumers/clients would spend quite a few part-time years between the AS and BS. Also a portion would not continue through to the BS and drop out. So getting the AS gave even those who drop out some credential.
If you don't need a credential, then is the AS worth anything?
Also when you apply for a job does stating 3 1/2 years college mean more or less than stating AS plus 1 1/2 years college?
While I agree with the opinion that AS degrees tend to be looked at somewhat meaningless once you have your BS, there is usually a period of several years between the AS and BS. During that time I think it does look better (depending on the field) to have an AS than to have 2 years college. Although many human resource people will consider the two equivalent, a few don't.
Just an opinion.
In this particular case I don't think there is any doubt the bachelors is a-coming. So the extra paperwork for the AS may not make any sense.
All the best!

 

Thank YOU for the kind words. My main problem is that I am an AA/BA/MA/PhD kind of guy who wants a degree in literature and of course employers are like: What!!!!!!!!! is WRONG with you, get to work. When you work blue collar apparently head and neck are optional.

Dave

KC7WGB

 

Put me down as one who thinks employers like seeing a 2 year degree more than just 2 years in college... a lot of places now won't even consider you unless you have SOME kind of degree. I am in the predicament of wanting to go ahead and start on the Bachelor's program, but am probably going to take 2 extra classes to get an Associate's first. It can be on my resume helping out and only holds me up 1 semester. Worth the trade-off if you ask me.

 

depends on the field/subject

bigbadbuff (or can I just say bbb)?
My son is exactly where you are. He has about 2 years college credit in the general computer field. Three years ago he would have gotten a job easy. Now people with AS degrees are getting hired ahead of him.
He had the great idea that if he went to Calif. he could land a $50,000 a year job in computers on one year in college. Since moving there he's been going to a Calif. dirt cheap community college and now has about 65 credits and two part time years experience. With no job longer than 10 months. He's having tough sledding.
All the best!

 

ANOTHER option Re: 3 credits from an A.S.

But still "3 credits from an A.S."

ANSWERL
Finish the 3 credits using testing...

--Orson

 

I was in a similar situation--enrolled in a bachelors program and found out that I was one course away from an A.A. in the same field. I went ahead and got the A.A. and never regretted it.

In fact, when I later completed my masters and became a full-time faculty at a community college, I found that having the associate's degree actually made me seem more sympathetic to the college's programs.

Good luck with yours.

Tony
(No longer in community college and working on my doctoral dissertation, but still not regretting my A.A.)

 

test/challenge/

David, it does make sense to get the AS. The comment to clep/dantes/tesc test for it makes sense. I think it always makes sense to get an easy credential when one can.
All the best!