WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A.S./A.A.S. DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS?

The Associate in Science degree (A.S. degree)

• Valencia offers over 30 A.S. degree programs that are in some of the fastest-growing high-wage, high-skill industries in Central Florida
• These prepare you to enter a specialized career field and move directly into the workforce after completing your program at Valencia
• So in as little as 2 years, you can be on the path to a real career and a well-paying job
• These require a minimum of 60 college credit hours. Each A.S. degree program consists of a major which includes a core of courses in an area of specialization. To earn an A.S. degree, you must complete a minimum of 30 college-level credit hours in the major, and at least 15 college-level credit hours in general education

The Associate in Applied Science degree (A.A.S. degree)

• Valencia offers three A.A.S. degrees: (Business Administration, Criminal Justice Technology and Hospitality and Tourism Management
• These prepare you to enter a specialized career field and move directly into the workforce after completing your program at Valencia.
• These do not transfer to a university

The Articulated A.S. to B.A./B.S. degree (A.S. to B.S. degree)

• Valencia offers five Articulated A.S. to B.S. degrees: (Business Administration, Criminal Justice Technology, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Nursing, RN and Paralegal Studies)
• These prepare you to enter a specialized career field and move directly into the workforce after completing your program at Valencia
• These also enable you to pursue a bachelor's degree in the same field by transferring to a partnering four-year institution

Certificate programs

• Valencia offers over 60 different technical certificate programs
• These can put you on the fast-track to reaching your career goals
• These are designed to equip you with a specialized skill set for immediate employment or to upgrade your skills for job advancement
• They can be completed in one year or less (anywhere from 12 to 35 credits)
• These do not contain general education courses, but rather courses related directly to your degree
• All of the courses in the certificate are also included in the related A.S. degree
• So these can be combined like building blocks to help you progress toward completing your A.S. degree

Applied Technology programs (ATD)

• At this time, Valencia only offers one ATD. It is Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• These are similar to Technical Certificates where you can obtain skills in a specialized field

Advanced Technical Certificate programs

• Valencia offers four Advanced Technical Certificate programs: Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Polysomnography, and Film - Motion Picture Post Production
• These are designed for students who have previously received degrees and want dvanced training to enhance their job skills
• You must have at least an Associates Degree
• These may also require education in the specialized field of study

Advantages of A.A.S./A.S. Degree Programs

• In as little as 2 years, you can be on the path to a real career and a well-paying job
• All of Valencia's A.A.S./A.S. degree and Certificate programs are developed under the guidance of top business and industry employers who know the skills you need to succeed
• 95% of Valencia's A.S. degree graduates are placed in jobs after graduation, earning average starting salaries of $39,000 -- more than double that of a high school graduate
• Once you complete an A.S. degree, you only need about 7 - 10 more courses to get an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree as well.
• All of Valencia's A.S. degrees will now transfer into the Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) degree program offered at UCF's regional campuses, as well as other universities. Check it out at regionalcampuses.ucf.edu/bas
  
  

A.S./A.A.S. DEGREE AND CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS --
CAREERS FOR TODAY'S JOB MARKET

Check out your options below...

(For information on our certificate programs, click on the corresponding A.S./A.A.S. degree program link. This link will take you to the Web page that contains the curriculum guide for the A.A.S./A.S. degree -- The curriculum guide also includes information on the related Certificate programs and the courses that are required).

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