Cha bot Co llege
Select ed Quo tes from Spring 2006 Survey Concerning Associate in Science Degree
1.
In your opinion, what are the key differences between an A. A. degree and an A. S. degree?
AS Degrees tend to have larger major patterns OR are more technical, vocationally oriented. AA Degrees tend to be more
oriented to the Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. AA Degree also tend to be more transfer oriented. (C*)
Since the mid-1980's the state hasn't acknowledged any difference. Both are associate degrees. At Chabot/LPC, we created the
AS degree to have fewer units than our high unit AA degree. Originally, we were attempting to satisfy an accreditation
recommendation, but we also needed to provide a reasonable associate degree option for high unit majors. (Non-VST**)
2.
In your opinion, what is the central purpose of the current A. S. degree?
The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded to students who are permitted to relax some of the general education
requirements in order to study more course work in their program area. Typically, this kind of degree is for students who intend to
enter the work force upon graduation. The term A. S. Degree is also designed to give an education path to a degree which may not
have a 4-Yr. equivalent path or direction. (VST***)
The current AS degree is intended to provide a lower-unit GE pattern for the associate degree. Any new AS degree should also
provide a lower-unit GE pattern (lower than our 25 unit AA GE pattern) so that students in high-unit science and technical majors
have a low-unit associate degree GE option. The AS and AA degrees should be designed NOT for students planning to transfer
but for students planning to get an associate degree. Students who want to transfer will be guided by their transfer institutions for
the GE courses they need…. The associate degree needs to focus on the needs of students who will stop their formal education for
the time being with an associate degree. We should increase opportunities for these students to take electives along with GE
courses and the courses for their majors. (Non-VST)
The AS degree in vocational courses has marketplace value because it says that students have had the discipline to stay here long
enough to complete a degree and it gives them the vocational knowledge they need. (VST)
3.
What changes do think could be made to A. A. or A. S. that would make more students seek an associate degree?
1. Any student that completes a CSU GE Breadth or IGETC pattern and earned 60 of transferable units should get an AA degree
in Liberal Studies if they do not qualify for another AA/AS degree. (even if they have not completed PE; Health Ed; American
Cultures; or American Institutions.) 2. Reduce the AA degree to State minimum. 3. Test to pass math proficiency without
earning math units. (C)
We need to offer more tailored Gen. Ed. degree requirements which emphasize the skills needed in Industry and the Workforce
Areas which the degrees are designed. (VST)
The Liberal Studies AA is the most popular degree awarded, I believe. Probably because it offers the most flexibility. I venture
to say that if we only required the T5 req of 18 units in the GE you might see more degrees being awarded, whether they are AA
or AS. I also feel it's an enrollment management issue. Some of the voc/occ programs are on enrollment rotations and students
may tire from waiting for the rotation. A True Transfer Degree that would eliminate the campus specific GE requirements. (C)
I believe by offering more General Education Degree requirements, capable of providing the needed skills in Industry and the
workforce areas, our students will be better served and it will also enable the students to better understand major requirements
towards an AS degrees or certificates. (VST)
Additional Comments:
1. Faculty not involved with curriculum are not aware of the State GE requirements or how Chabot got to its current GE pattern.
Higher Education in the U.S. uses AA/BA/MA for Liberal Arts type majors and AS/BS/MS for Natural Science and technical
majors. We should do the same.
2. The number of total units should be reduced for technical programs. We graduate very few students in technical areas often
because students get work with basic technical skills and are working in the field before completing a certificate or AA/AS. (C)
The designation of AS, as it is now, is an option for the degree pattern. There are several occ/voc degrees that have the
designation of AA. I also feel that the option of allowing either designation AA or AS should be allowed….so the student can
choose which degree pattern they want. There are 3 degree programs now that have this. Students are also having and Individual
Occupational Major (IOM) written for some voc/occ programs that are AA, but the IOM is making the program an AS (student
choice, with Dean's approval, of course). Why not be official with this and save the students from having to come in to have the
IOM written. (C)
PLEASE DON'T WATER DOWN ANY OF OUR DEGREES! I am totally against giving two-year degrees in psychology,
English, psychology, business, history, etc. We should offer vocational A.S. degrees and A.A. degrees in Liberal Arts or General
Education only. Having a major at a two year college does not make much sense unless one is earning an A.S. degree. (VST)
Note: ***VST = Vocational/Science/Technology Instructor. **Non-VST = non- Vocational/Science/Technology Instructor. *C = Counselor