resume question- AA and BA from same college

OK, this isn't an earth-shattering question, but I just would like a couple people to toss in their two cents.
2 part question: First, which way do you think looks best for listing 2 degrees from the same school on a resume?

choice a)
BA, Social Sciences, Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ
AA, General Studies, Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ


choice b)
AA/BA, Social Sciences, Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ


I am leaning toward choice b, but thought it might be misleading due to the fact that my AA is general studies...or is that pretty much common knowledge when people earn an AA?

second question- after reading a lot of pros and cons, I have not totally decided to include/exclude my graduation dates. Still not sure. Since I didn't decide to get my AA until I had almost finished my BA, the year will be the same for both degrees. If I use choice b, and decide to include graduation date, this seems less confusing.
If I used dates with choice a, it might look a little suspect...diploma mill-ish. Also, my first degree was much earlier- this brings my learning gap into the spotlight I think. Happy to hear comments on this one.

choice a)
BA, Social Sciences, Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ, 2008
AA, General Studies, Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ, 2008
AOS, Culinary Arts, The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY, 1990


choice b)
AA/BA, Social Sciences, Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ, 2008
AOS, Culinary Arts, The Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY 1990

 

Considering the degrees have different majors/concentrations, I would go with option "a". If both degrees were the same major, then option "b" would be appropriate.

 

I agree - state the facts. Option "A" would be best for both.

 

I have been taught(by career services at different locations) that if the Associate's is from the same school it is dropped. Basically it should be inferred from the BA/BS and it is redundant. If it is from a different institution, however, then in is a valid addition.

Since the advice came from multiple locations I tend to heed it. Too be honest I do not really have an opinion either way, I just thought I would provide you with the information.

 

Keep in mind that a resume is a snap-shot of your accomplishments and experience; therefore in your case, since both degrees are from the same institution, I would only list the BA degree. Once at the interview, you can give the details about your AA degree.

Pepe

 

>>

I understand what you are saying- The reason that I am going to include it is because I did not get the freebie 60 credit-transfer on the road to my BA. In other words, I earned 60 with my first associates, 60 for my second, and then another 60 for my BA (180 in all). By listing it the way you suggests looks like probably only 60 credits and then another 60 (120 in all). This is how my husband's bachelor degree track worked for him-a total of 120- but I want to distinguish my extra coursework.

 

>>

Randell and Bruce- thanks guys. I noticed you both avoided the date question
I am leaning toward leaving it off... thoughts?

 

I would just put in the date. I doubt anyone would question it- I wouldn't.

 

>>

Thank ya much sir )

 

There was a time when the AA meant the AA in General Studies, but nowadays I am seeing many AA degrees with specific majors, like the AA in Social Sciences, so I'd list the AA and BA separately.

 

Would it help if you listed month & year for the AA and BA? What about delaying your BA graduation until 2009? Would it be okay to list the year you actually completed the requirements for the AA even if it wasn't conferred until later?

 

I wouldn't list the AA. You have your BA. Press on.

 

As a recent recipient of an HRD master's (that included reading a lot of resumes) -- I'd offer the following from the coursework I just completed.

AA/BA - try choice C

Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, NJ (2008)
Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences
Associate of Arts

Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY (1990)
Associate of Occupational Studies in Culinary Arts

It adds lines so you can't do this if space is a concern on your resume. Don't assume that all HR staffers will know what a BA/AA/AOS is, screeners may toss your resume if the requirement they're reading says "bachelor's degree" and your resume doesn't have that word on it.

Some HR people are known to use degree dates to calculate an assumed age of applicant. You can safely leave the dates off for that reason. However, if they do a check, they'll get the dates anyway. They'll do the same age calculation based on work experience entries if you include dates there.

 

I list mine as follows-
·PhD - Business Administration / Management – Northcentral University – expected graduation - 2009
·Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Risk Management – University of Florida – 2007
·MS - Information Technology Management - Touro University International – 2004
·MBA - California Coast University - 2003
·BS – Individualized Studies (Technology & Business) - Charter Oak State College – 2003
·BS in Business Administration - California Coast University - 2001
·AA - Biomedical Technology and Computer Science Technology - University of Phoenix – 2001
·Bio-Medical Repair Specialist Diploma – U.S. Army Bio-Medical Repair School - 1991


I have overlapping dates for an AA/BS and a BS/MBA and it was never questioned. By the way, when applying for adjunct positions, I do not list the CCU degrees.

 

Just some more thoughts:

I know that you did more than 60 credits at Charter Oak and that you did not receive 60 credits in transfer, not because you told me but, because the types of degree you have. An AOS requires no liberal arts credits while a BA requires the maximum 75% of liberal arts credit. Any good HR person should know that you needed more than 60 credits from Charter Oak, without you declaring the AA. Besides, if one goes to say Rutger's and graduates with a BA, they too have the right to state they fulfilled the requirements for a AA but they hardly every fill-out the paperwork or state on their resume the they have one.

Remember the a resume is a document with a finite amount of space and you want to maximize your space for information that is helpful for you to get an interview. The BA will get you an interview, the AA again is redundant.

As for my first post there is one reason to list the Associates from the same school, if it is an entirely different course of study. Example: an AS in Electrical Technology and a BA in History, these are two completely different fields of study and provides more information on which to grant an interview.

 

>>
I like your suggestion of option C, and you bring to light a good point about whoever is looking at my resume....I once read that a resume gets around 17 seconds worth of skimming at best.
As to the age calculation....well, Ive been with my current employer 16 years as of last month, so there isn't a mystery... I'm no spring chicken!

 

I agree with Airtorn - employers will give more weight to your BA degree. What matters to a potential employer is your experience and how it will help their business or organization.

 

If they have a different concentration/focus they should be listed. I have an AA in Biomed and Computer Science and a BS in Indiv. Studies (Tech and Business). These are completely different areas and demonstates a wide range of knowledge.

 

A lot of good information has already been presented, so my post may be similar to posting an AA on a resume when you already have a BA on your resume.

Posting an Associates on your resume may be good for a couple of reasons. First is ego. You worked hard for it. Why not show it off? Second, it may be esoteric, which may "land you the job." So if you have an Associates in nuclear engineering and a Bachelors in interdisciplinary studies and if you are applying to be a nuclear engineer, then the Associates on your resume is NECESSARY. However, if you have an AA in general education and a BS in nuclear physics, then the BS will probably help you to get the job, while posting the AA is probably unnecessary. It's all relative. Put on your resume exactly what you need to land the job. My resume is now five pages long, but I only need to use about one page of it, after the job specifications have been narrowed down.

My .02

 

Generally speaking there are only two reasons that you would include an associates degree on a resume.

1. It is your terminal degree -- the only thing you have.

2. The AA is in a field significantly different than the BA -- e.g. you are applying for a job as a sales rep in a sheet metal company and you have a BA in marketing and you also have an AS in welding -- that is, if the AA/AS adds value to your profile.

An AA in real estate might add value to a BA in piano performance -- especially if you were applying for a job in real estate.

An AA in general studies or one of the liberal arts doesn't usually add value to the BA.

You also have a high school diploma -- but you probably wouldn't list that if you have a BA (unless you're applying to teach at your old high school -- then it might add value).

Conciseness is better than TMI on the resume.