Robert Saldarini, Bergen Community College Michael Williams, Thomas Edison State College Robert Saldarini, Bergen Community College Michael Williams, Thomas Edison State College Career Success: AAS Transfer to a BS in Professional Studies

Agenda 4. Sharing and Q&A 1. Introduction 2. A.A.S. Degree vs. A.S. Degree 3. Dismantling the Roadblock for Transfer

Mature Student Career Financial Responsibilities Family Prior Education and Credits Running a Home Career Education

Career Based AAS Programs Prepare students for the immediate workforce with needed skills, education and training. Are considered ‘terminal degrees’ by most counselors and senior institutions. Contain advanced coursework that students cannot typically apply during the transfer process. Prepare students for the immediate workforce with needed skills, education and training. Are considered ‘terminal degrees’ by most counselors and senior institutions. Contain advanced coursework that students cannot typically apply during the transfer process.

Benefits of the AAS Colorado is experiencing a similar situation regarding its recent college graduates, i.e., students with applied science degrees from the State’s community college system are making approximately $7,000 more than their four-year degreed contemporaries. Poppen, J. (2013, March 13). Does it pay to get a bachelor’s degree? Retrieved from EdNews Colorado: Colorado is experiencing a similar situation regarding its recent college graduates, i.e., students with applied science degrees from the State’s community college system are making approximately $7,000 more than their four-year degreed contemporaries. Poppen, J. (2013, March 13). Does it pay to get a bachelor’s degree? Retrieved from EdNews Colorado:

Benefits of the AAS In Florida, students graduating with a community college degree earned approximately $11,000 more than those with a four-year degree; whereby, the average salary for a two-year graduate was 47,708 in 2009 compared to that of four-year graduates who commanded a starting salary of $36,552 within the same year. Vasquez, M., & Krueger, C. (2011, January 3). Study less, earn more -- at least in the beginning. Retrieved from Tampa Bay Times: beginning/ In Florida, students graduating with a community college degree earned approximately $11,000 more than those with a four-year degree; whereby, the average salary for a two-year graduate was 47,708 in 2009 compared to that of four-year graduates who commanded a starting salary of $36,552 within the same year. Vasquez, M., & Krueger, C. (2011, January 3). Study less, earn more -- at least in the beginning. Retrieved from Tampa Bay Times: beginning/

Disadvantages Transferability into senior institutions. Diminishing value over time. Advancement usually requires a BS degree. Mobility often proves difficult. Transferability into senior institutions. Diminishing value over time. Advancement usually requires a BS degree. Mobility often proves difficult.

The BSPS Degree Mobility Degree Inflation Promotion Skills Enhancement Job Retention Worker Workplace Demands

Transitioning AAS to BSPS Advantages to AAS Students: Concentration Core accepting 18-career specific undergraduate credits. Workforce enhancement course selection; matching the AAS to career goals. Advantages to AAS Students: Concentration Core accepting 18-career specific undergraduate credits. Workforce enhancement course selection; matching the AAS to career goals.

Transitioning AAS to BSPS Enables degree customization toward career goals and advancement. Allows graduates to position the degree aligned with employers and professional opportunities. Maximizes degree flexibility for career pathing. Enables degree customization toward career goals and advancement. Allows graduates to position the degree aligned with employers and professional opportunities. Maximizes degree flexibility for career pathing.

Transitioning AAS to BSPS Addresses a unique degree niche in the educational market. Practitioner-focused programming. Enables educational progress toward degree acquisition. Professional differentiator. Addresses a unique degree niche in the educational market. Practitioner-focused programming. Enables educational progress toward degree acquisition. Professional differentiator.

Q&A