Degree Overview

Certificate – These are academic programs of up to 30 – 32 credits that are completed in one year or less by full-time students. Certificates are specialized training for people who want to quickly complete a program that leads to a specific job. Certificates typically consist of 6 – 9 credits of General Education courses and 18 – 24 credits of core courses in the area of specialty.

Diploma – An academic program with generally 30 to 55 credits intended to provide students with skills leading directly to a specific job.

Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) – A degree program that normally requires at least two but less than four years of full-time college work. An AAS degree consists of “applied” courses that are focused on teaching practical career and technical skills and preparing students for a particular career pathway. An AAS degree may or may not be designed to transfer to a BS degree program. An AAS degree typically has between 60 – 64 total credits. Of the 60 – 64 total credits, approximately 24-28 are General Education course credits and the remainder specific to the program.

Associate of Science Degree (AS) – An Associate of Science (AS) is a 2-year degree. Unlike the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, which prepares you to enter a career immediately after graduation, most AS and AA degrees are transfer degrees and provide an academic foundation, but not specific career training. The AS requires more hours in Math and Lab Sciences.

Bachelor’s Degree (BS) – A degree program that normally requires at least four but not more than six years of full-time college work. Typically has between 120 – 124 total credits, with approximately 60 credits of General Education courses and 60 credits of courses in the major.