The Difference in Degrees

Associate’s Degrees –

• Completion of a two-year program equates to an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS)
• A degree awarded after completion at a two-year college
• Often at a community college, technical college or junior college
• Two types of associate majors are offered: technical/vocational and non-vocational or university paralleled
• The technical and vocational specialties are generally for entrance into an occupational field, falling under one of six categories*: 1. business and commerce technologies 2. data processing technologies 3. health services / paramedical technologies 4. mechanical/engineering technologies 5. natural science technologies 6. public service-related technologies
• The university paralleled degrees are often referred to as transfer degrees, since they mirror the first two academic years of a four-year college curriculum, given in “Arts and Sciences” or “General Studies”
(*according to The Higher Education General Information Survey or HEGIS)

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