Is It Associate Or Associates Degree?

Q: I have a really stupid question. Is the correct way to say it "Associate Degree" or "Associates Degree"? I always assumed it was plural, "He has an associates degree". This may be a stupid question, but I bet other people are wondering the same thing!

A:It's Associates (Like Bachelors, Masters). However, it's not a college degree anyway. A graduation ceremony doesn't make it one either. AA and AS are also considerably different. On my resume I have always written "Bachelor's and Master's degree from ..." Have I just learned something new, or have I caught an erudite mistake? And it would indeed be interesting if Harvard University Extension's "Associate in Arts" which later became "Adjunct in Arts" is not a college degree. The story is that Harvard changed the nomenclature when other, lesser schools awarded the Associate's. Either with or without the possessive punctuation mark is in common use. According to a Google search, the apostrophe is four times more common for Bachelors but only slightly more common for Masters degrees. More important is the distinction between *both* the AA & AS, on the one hand, and the AAS (Associate of Applied Science) on the other. AA/AS are intended for transfer into university curricula; the AAS is a terminal vocational (the current popular term actually is "workforce") credential with no or very little transferability/applicability in a university setting.

Discuss It!

Gene said:

I disagree with your view of an associates degree. I have an AAS in physical therapy. In order to successfully pass my state board examination I was required to show competence in all areas of physical therapy. This was no easy task. You may agree if you have an idea of the many aspects of physical therapy. I am currently near completion of a bachelor degree in science from the University of Louisville. Again you were incorrect because, even though I did have a technical degree, most of my credits transferred. I can promise you obtaining my AAS in PT was much more challenging than the bachelors degree I am completing. You may want to correct your website and show more appreciation to those that hold an associates degree. Feel free to respond to me at ABPoo1@aol.com.

Aurelio said:

I agree. I too have an associates in science in business administration which has really was really challenging and has made me stand out from the crowd. I do understand that a bachelor's degree is very important for a professional, especially if one is in the business administration; and that's why I am working towards mine as well. It was a helpful post, but please choose your words a bit more carefully when referring to associates degrees.

Matthew said:

I completely agree with Gene and Aurelio. This is the first I have ever heard that an "Associates Degree" is "not" a college degree. That's funny, because I have been attending a COLLEGE to earn 3 of them! No need to be so rude and looking down on someone who has not yet achieved a higher educational level.

Nick said:

Well put, Matthew. And to the person who wrote this answer, nobody asked for a condescending speech on how an associates degree is or is not a college degree. It was a very simple question that was answered in full with your first sentence. In response to everything else you wrote in response to this question, I think I can speak for everyone here when I say you are an ass.

Tom said:

Actually, you're incorrect on both counts. It is technically "Associate Degree", NOT Associate's or Associates, and it is most definitely a college degree.

Tom Part II said:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/csearch/where-to-start/38.html

Phil said:

Read your diploma.

Mark said:

The person who answered is clearly an idiotic snob. He proves that having a college degree is no indication of your intelligence, smh. Furthermore, his information is not accurate on other counts: Harvard's AA is STILL called Associate in Arts (go to Harvard's website). Also, an AAS has plenty of transferability depending on the type of major you choose and classes in the degree plan. You just won't have classes in the arts to transfer, but everything else should transfer fine. This guy doesn't know what he's talking about.

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