Robert Saldarini, Bergen Community CollegeMichael Williams, Thomas Edison State College

Career Success: AAS Transfer to a BS in Professional Studies 

Agenda

4. Sharing and Q&A

1. Introduction

2. A.A.S. Degree vs. A.S. Degree

3. Dismantling the Roadblock for Transfer

Mature Student

Career

FinancialResponsibilities

Family

Prior Education and Credits Running a Home

CareerEducation

Career Based AAS Programs

Prepare students for the immediate workforce with needed skills, education and training.

Are considered ‘terminal degrees’ by most counselors and senior institutions.

Contain advanced coursework that students cannot typically apply during the transfer process.

Benefits of the AASColorado is experiencing a similar situation regarding its recent college graduates, i.e., students with applied science degrees from the State’s community college system are making approximately $7,000 more than their four-year degreed contemporaries.

Poppen, J. (2013, March 13). Does it pay to get a bachelor’s degree? Retrieved from EdNews Colorado: http://www.ednewscolorado.org/news/is-it-worth-getting-a-bachelors-degree

Benefits of the AASIn Florida, students graduating with a community college degree earned approximately $11,000 more than those with a four-year degree; whereby, the average salary for a two-year graduate was 47,708 in 2009 compared to that of four-year graduates who commanded a starting salary of $36,552 within the same year. Vasquez, M., & Krueger, C. (2011, January 3). Study less, earn more -- at least in the beginning. Retrieved from Tampa Bay Times: http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/study-less-earn-more-8212-at-least-in-the-beginning/1143350

Disadvantages Transferability

into senior institutions.

Diminishing value over time.

Advancement usually requires a BS degree.

Mobility often proves difficult.

The BSPS Degree

Mobility

DegreeInflation Promotion

Skills Enhancement

JobRetention

Worker

Workplace Demands

Transitioning AAS to BSPS Advantages to

AAS Students: Concentration Core

accepting 18-career specific undergraduate credits.

Workforce enhancement course selection; matching the AAS to career goals.

Transitioning AAS to BSPS Enables degree

customization toward career goals and advancement.

Allows graduates to position the degree aligned with employers and professional opportunities.

Maximizes degree flexibility for career pathing.

Transitioning AAS to BSPS Addresses a unique

degree niche in the educational market.

Practitioner-focused programming.

Enables educational progress toward degree acquisition.

Professional differentiator.

Q&A