Northwest offers three degrees. It is important for students to understand which degree track they are on because general education course requirements differ for each degree.

The degrees are:

• Associate of Arts (AA)
• Associate of Science (AS)
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS).

Associate of Arts (AA)

The Associate of Arts degree is designed to transfer and become part of a four year degree--usually a Bachelor of Arts.  Typically, majors in the Associate of Arts degree have a broad arts and humanities component.  An Associate of Arts in General Studies is a good choice for students uncertain about a major.

Associate of Science (AS)

The Associate of Science degree is designed to transfer and become part of a four year degree--usually a Bachelor of Science. Typically, majors in the Associate of Science degree have a strong mathematical, scientific, or technical component. The Associate of Science degree has fewer general education requirements than the AA degree so that students may concentrate on the necessary math and science courses for their majors.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

The AAS degree is designed to lead directly to a career. It is not designed to transfer, although some universities are developing Bachelors of Applied Science programs. Because it is not intended as a transfer degree, majors in the AAS degree have fewer general education requirements than either the AA or AS and a more extensive program of courses in the major. The AAS degree is designed to prepare students to enter the job market following graduation.

Two additional points:

• Students frequently change majors, but changing to a major located in a different degree is a bigger jump than changing majors located within the same degree.
• Students who plan on transferring often wonder if earning an associate’s degree matters. While it depends on the individual student’s situation, there are a number of advantages for a student who earns a degree. Some universities, like the University of Wyoming, accept an AA or AS degree from Northwest as meeting all of their general education requirements. This is significant.

In general, it is better to have gone to Northwest for two years and earned a degree than to have attended for two years and not earned a degree. The degree is a real indication that a student has the ability and discipline to finish a specific program of study. However, there may be cases – for example, when a student is only a few credits shy of earning a degree --when it is in a student’s best interest not to stay at Northwest for an additional semester.  (In cases like this, a student can transfer up to 15 credit hours back to Northwest and be awarded a diploma after he or she has left. See the section on Transferring Credits to Northwest for more information on this policy.)