Does it makes sense to have two AAS Degrees?

[chiquitacobbe]

Here's my situation:
I work in IT and concentrate on Public Safety IT Management (police, fire, emergency mngmt). In this field, experience is definitely key over education. It's a very unique area of IT. I decided on my own to go back to school after almost 25 years. I am not the best in school, I am almost finished with my AAS in Applied Computer Studies. I really don't think I can continue on to a bachelors. The course requirements are not my cup of tea (marcro/micro, stats, etc) and my time is limited as police and fire run 24/7 and sometimes require my help after hours. So I was thinking of getting a second AAS in Environmental Safety and Security Technology since my credits will apply to both areas.

I value the opinion of this forum and would love to hear everyones thoughts. Please don't post "get your bachelors" because I know that is the better option but I really don't think that will happen.

I really just want to know what your thoughts are on have two AAS degrees.

THANKS!!!

[rebel100]

I think, given your parameters earning the two AAS makes some sense. It is a relatively quick way to demonstrate some concentrated study in separate areas. I'm not sure what value an employer will place on it, but you relate a lot of experience...so maybe that's ok. It still won't check the box for a Bachelors that so many employers find critical as the price of admission for consideration....you have to get past the recruiter/human resources personnel to even get an interview.

Since you asked me not to, I won't point out that once you have a handful of unsavory courses out of the way (you mentioned a few gen eds) the rest would be right back in your area of interest.

Be sure you understand....36 hours of gen eds, none of which have to be the courses you mentioned. Another 20 hours or so of anything that interests you, 30 hours of FEMA (easy), and 30 UL credits related to management, IT, and emergency management would do it. At Charter Oak anyways. I've followed your posts a bit, the bachelors is within your reach, don't sell yourself short.....there that was me NOT telling you to go get the Bachelors.

[AlbaTiVo]

When does your current enrollment end? The reason I ask is that you cannot complete the work for your second degree until your first degree has been conferred, so you may end up paying $3,000 to submit free FEMA credits for a degree that may not get you any further forward than your current AAS in Applied Computer Studies.

Oh, and "get your bachelors" LOL

[dcan]

I'm sure there are plenty of IT degrees out there that do not require things like micro and macro. Those aren't that difficult BTW if you have a good text and teacher, at least macro since you likely know a good bit of it already from the news and life but you don't have formal names for some of the concept. And stats is a bugger at first, but that's because it is a different *kind* of math than we are used to, it's not like algebra *per se* because its a very specialized applied mathematics field. So it just takes some getting used to. I always bashed my head in for a while going through math, but even I made it through stats and trig.

You aren't restricted to only TESC for your degree, so don't let those courses scare you away from a bachelor's degree, there are other degrees out there that may be more flexible. Maybe something like Western Governor's University? Unless of course you paid the $3,000 to TESC already. If so, then yes, the AAS ESST could make a lot of sense. It would only be an additional $300, plus if you have any coursework you have to do in addition. Not sure about the rules for getting a second AAS, I defer to others on that one.

[chiquitacobbe]

HAHAHA I love everyones comments even the ones stating the get your bachelors. Believe me it isn't 100% ruled out yet.

Please note I do not need to take any additional classes to get the AAS in ESST. I have already taken way too many FEMA classes for my job that I have well beyond the required credits for that area of study. And all my IT classes will fill the other requirements. So it would just be paying the extra $300. Just want to know if its worth it. I already paid the $3000 for enrollment and have until July till my year is up.

[chiquitacobbe]

Thanks I will look into Charter Oak too

[Jonathan Whatley]

The BSBA in CIS at TESC, or similar degrees elsewhere, may require macro, micro and so on because they're also business degrees.

At Charter Oak, take a look at these concentrations:
Information Systems Studies
Technology Studies (for a plan with course titles, see the Official Catalog [pdf])
Computer Science Studies
Criminal Justice
Individualized Studies

[AlbaTiVo]

HAHAHA I love everyones comments even the ones stating the get your bachelors. Believe me it isn't 100% ruled out yet.

Please note I do not need to take any additional classes to get the AAS in ESST. I have already taken way too many FEMA classes for my job that I have well beyond the required credits for that area of study. And all my IT classes will fill the other requirements. So it would just be paying the extra $300. Just want to know if its worth it. I already paid the $3000 for enrollment and have until July till my year is up.

Well, you cannot count any of the core classes you have taken before your first degree is conferred towards your second degree. So, for your second AAS you would have to take another 12 core credits and you would not be able to complete these until September, which means you will have to pay another annual enrollment fee.

"Second Associate degree
Students who have received one associate degree at Thomas
Edison State College or another regionally accredited institution
and wish to earn a second associate degree must:
• Complete a minimum of 12 additional credits in the option
for a second associate degree beyond the date the most recent degree was completed.
• Students must complete all requirements for the degree as
listed in the current Thomas Edison State College Catalog"

[chiquitacobbe]

[quote=rebel100]I think, given your parameters earning the two AAS makes some sense. It is a relatively quick way to demonstrate some concentrated study in separate areas. I'm not sure what value an employer will place on it, but you relate a lot of experience...so maybe that's ok. It still won't check the box for a Bachelors that so many employers find critical as the price of admission for consideration....you have to get past the recruiter/human resources personnel to even get an interview.

Since you asked me not to, I won't point out that once you have a handful of unsavory courses out of the way (you mentioned a few gen eds) the rest would be right back in your area of interest.

Be sure you understand....36 hours of gen eds, none of which have to be the courses you mentioned. Another 20 hours or so of anything that interests you, 30 hours of FEMA (easy), and 30 UL credits related to management, IT, and emergency management would do it. At Charter Oak anyways. I've followed your posts a bit, the bachelors is within your reach, don't sell yourself short.....there that was me NOT telling you to go get the Bachelors.[/QUOTE]

[quote=AlbaTiVo]Well, you cannot count any of the core classes you have taken before your first degree is conferred towards your second degree. So, for your second AAS you would have to take another 12 core credits and you would not be able to complete these until September, which means you will have to pay another annual enrollment fee.

"Second Associate degree
Students who have received one associate degree at Thomas
Edison State College or another regionally accredited institution
and wish to earn a second associate degree must:
• Complete a minimum of 12 additional credits in the option
for a second associate degree beyond the date the most recent degree was completed.


BUMMER!!! And there is no way I can finish the remaining classes this month to meet the earlier graduation. Oh well I guess that theory goes out the window.

[sanantone]

TESC's BSAST in Information Technology requires statistics, but it doesn't require any other business courses. Charter Oaks' information systems degree requires statistics. TESC and Charter Oak have computer science majors/concentrations, but the required math is much harder than statistics. Both COSC and TESC have general Technology Studies concentrations/majors. My opinion is that the AAS in Environmental, Safety, and Security Technologies is completely worthless. I know a member here posted a job ad that it could apply to, but I looked at the ad and the AAS would not be enough. No offense LaterBloomer. :p