What it is
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) is a two-year career and technical degree built to get graduates job-ready in a specific field — technology, healthcare, the trades, business support, and more — with hands-on training rather than a transfer focus.
The degrees & designations
The AAS is common in applied/career fields — e.g.:
How long it takes
About two years of full-time study (~60 credits); part-time takes longer, and evening/online options are common.
What you study
Career-specific, hands-on training (labs, clinicals, shops) with a smaller general-education core, often aligned to industry certifications and an internship.
Getting in
Community colleges are often open-enrollment with a high school diploma or GED; some programs (e.g., health) are competitive with prerequisites.
Cost & funding
Associate degrees are typically the lowest-cost path in higher education; aid, grants, and (in some states) tuition-free community college apply.
Where it leads
An AAS leads to entry-level employment in its field quickly. Some credits can transfer, but the AAS is designed as a career-ready credential.
How it compares
Versus the AA/AS (transfer-focused), the AAS is job-ready and applied — less general education, more field training.
Is it right for you?
An AAS fits students who want to enter a specific career fast and affordably — e.g., cybersecurity, nursing/allied health, or a skilled trade.
Explore further
This is a reference guide. Keep exploring:
Key facts
- WhatA two-year career/technical, job-ready degree
- EmphasisHands-on field training + certifications
- Vs AA/ASApplied/career vs academic transfer
- Common inTech, healthcare, trades, business support
- CostLowest-cost path
Where to learn more
Keep exploring the resource: