I am wondering if there is any real benefit to earning an AA on the road to BA? First- in my case, I don't qualify yet for the AA because I hadn't taken science, so essentially there will be one semester difference between when I meet the requirements for an AA with when I meet the requirements for my BA- that could look odd. Second- it's $250 Third- my first associate degree contributed zero credits toward my BA, so I am earning 120 the hard way- from scratch. This would be more obvious if I opted to include it distinctly separate from my first AOS and this BA. Finally, which is more traditional? Do "most" people get the AA then BA or do "most" people just get the BA? Is that more common among those who went to community college first? I know some colleges don't even offer AAs. Opinions??
I think it really boils down to (1) personal preference or (2) if you need it to meet a minimum requirement for a job, pay increase or something. There may be others but.... I paid the extra cost and and picked up my AS on the way to my BS only because it was an important milestone to me. Now that I have my BS, I don't even mention my AS.
Hi - If you are a full-time student and the AA will be in the same discipline aas the BA then I'd say that there's probably no advantage to earning the AA on the way to the BA. If the two degrees will be in diffrent disciplines then there might be some advantage to earning both degrees as it could conceivably be of some advantage in the marketplace. If you are a part-time student then there could be an advantage to earning the AA IF it is in an area related to your employment or if it might otherwise lead to a raise/promotion at work while you push through to your BA.
Excellent point - My AA is in Biomedical Engineering Technology and Computer Science Technology. My BS in is Individualized Studies - Business and Technology.
For non-traditional adults who are earning degrees via DL - I say yes! Often times the journey gets slowed down or interrupted by life (for instance, I am taking a one quarter LOA from Capella), and if you can pick up credentials along the way to the final destination, then I believe that one should do so! Shawn
I had no real need for my associates, and at first I did not want one, but I went ahead and got and it made me so happy and it definitely a big accomplishment for me. Plus since my associates and my bachelors are so different i think it shows an employer that I am versatile. I think you should go for it, if it only serves as another plaque on your "i love me" wall.
I could have had an Associate's on the way to my Bachelor's, like you it would have been just one semester before (I didn't take the Natural Science CLEP until the end, basically) and would only have taken an extra graduation fee. But I didn't bother, because by then I was on the home stretch and there didn't seem to be much of a point. If there had been a two year difference, though, that would have been different. -=Steve=-
>> Steve, that is my exact situation. Because I have not taking my Natural Science CLEP yet, it will be one semester inbetween (not 2 years). I am going to ask my advisor though, because it might push my graduation back, and I don't want to do that (TESC Charges you $2K if your year expires or $200 per month, I don't want to pay either)
My guess is that those who begin at four-year schools just skip the AA and go straight for the BA while those that start out at community colleges take the AA, graduate cc, and then take the BA at the four-year college or university.
Amen. For me, that's half the reason, as I tend to do things in small steps first then big ones. The other reason, as others said it earlier, you'd have something to list. And it's surprising how many management jobs only want an associate's. . .
That's true. My company only requires a two year degree now, while years ago they required a bachelors. It is hard for them to find good managers. My AA helped me land a better job within this company. The other applicants didn't have education to put on their resumes, so I got the job even though I had less experience in that area.
