Degree Paths

AAS Degrees

• are two-year degree plans
• lead directly into the workforce
• focus on core subject content
• include hands-on application of core content
• require only five general education courses (Communication, Humanities/Fine Arts, Social/Behavioral Sciences, Natural Sciences/Mathematics)
• require more basic math (Algebra I and Trigonometry) than university transfer plans

Articulation Agreements

• are two-year degree plans
• are directed toward specific senior institutions
• are a combination of the AAS Degree and Bachelor Degree tracks
• allow transfer credit for many core technical-level courses
• allow substitution of transfer-level courses for technical-level requirements:
  • ENG 111 instead of ENG 110
  • MAT 171 instead of MAT 110 or MAT 121
• graduates are employable upon completion
• graduates have a university transfer plan
• employers typically offer tuition assistance programs for employees who want to pursue additional education

Articulation agreement information is continually updated at 

AA and AS Degrees

• designed for transfer to senior institutions to complete a bachelor’s degree
• first two years are mostly general education classes
• entry into the workforce is delayed
• require higher-level math (pre-calculus and calculus)
• more theory than hands-on experience
• the typical AET path is the Associate in Engineering (AE) Degree.

Other

Some institutions, such as UNC-Charlotte and Appalachian State University, offer AAS transfer options but have not signed formal articulation agreements.