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Which Degree is Right for Me?

The type of degree you intend to pursue at SFCC will drastically affect the sequence of courses you will complete to meet your degree requirements.  This table provides a quick guide to the differences between an AA and an AAS degree.

An Associate of the Arts degree (AA) is designed for the student who wants to start at SFCC and then transfer to a four-year institution to earn a Bachelor's degree. It is important that you consult the catalog or program advisor at the college to which you are transferring for their specific admission procedures and degree requirements early on in your time at SFCC.  Click here for links to four year institutions in Missouri. 

An Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS) is designed for the student who wants to attend SFCC for only a couple of years and then enter the workforce after graduation. The program of study with an AAS degree focuses on providing the student with in-depth knowledge and skills specific to his or her major.  Most AAS degrees have a specific outline of classes a student must take; therefore, students will not have as many decisions to make about which classes to complete. 

In addition to offering two different associate degrees, students also may choose to pursue a Certificate (CT) program. Earning a Certificate takes less time than a degree, typically about a year, and usually does not require that the student complete general education courses.