Associate's degrees are obtained after a defined number of credits in various subjects as spelled out in the college handbook. They are undergraduate degrees. In both applied associate's degrees and associate's degrees, the number of credits taken should reflect two years of full-time study. Both degrees can be used towards a four-year degree at any time.
The cost for an associate's degree is made up of credit hour fees and books, with the additional administrative and entrance fees. The cost for an applied associate's degree is somewhat higher because many courses for the degree have lab fees or equipment fees added to associate's degree costs for coursework. That said, the traditional associate's degree is intended for those going on to a four year school. If a person enters an applied science degree program with the intention of getting a job, the overall cost for the applied science degree is lower over time because those moving on to a four-year degree end up with another two years of tuition.
Applied science associate's degree candidates are job-ready upon graduation. The entire focus of an applied science degree is to train you in your field of study. The student's objective is to obtain gainful employment upon graduation. Candidates for associate's degrees haven't been trained for a specific task but have completed general requirements for a four-year degree. The objective of the student is to prepare for the transition to a four-year school.
Associate's degrees are usually global in focus because the degree can be utilized for many other advanced degree interests. For example, associate's degrees are given for fine arts, liberal arts, business or biology, all of which could be then used toward a specific degree focus, such as music, dance, psychology, philosophy, accounting, management, chemical engineering or ecology. Applied science degrees are inherently more specific and job-related. For example, associate's degrees in applied science are awarded for marketing, baking, industrial technology, information technology and nursing.