Does an AAS Degree Transfer to a Bachelor’s Degree? Everything You Need to Know

Have you previously earned an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree and are thinking about going back to school for a bachelor’s degree? Or are you in an AAS program now and thinking of exploring your career options?

Whatever your position, it’s great that you’re considering building on your qualification and furthering your career — because it’s absolutely possible. And, it might be easier than you think.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about how an AAS can transfer to a bachelor’s degree, and our tips for helping you save time and money.

AAS vs. BAS Degree

Why is the ability to transfer credits between AAS and bachelor’s degrees even in question? Mainly, it’s because the degrees are intended to serve different purposes, which means that AAS degree credits may not always apply to bachelor’s programs.

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

An AAS degree is a specialized two-year program designed to equip students with specific technical and vocational skills needed to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation. The AAS is considered a type of terminal degree — which is the highest level of education attainable for a certain area or discipline. That’s because the AAS is crafted for those who want to immediately start their career within a specific industry, rather than pursuing further academic study.

The curriculum of an AAS is tailored to teach technical or vocational skills that meet the needs of particular fields, such as healthcare, information technology, automotive technology, business and skilled trades. It is practical, career-oriented training meant to offer a direct pathway to employment.

Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)

A bachelor’s degree is a four-year program that blends technical expertise with a broader educational foundation, making it the degree of choice for professionals seeking career growth or a pathway into management leadership roles. The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree in particular is tailored for those who want to enhance their practical skills with additional experience in research, critical thinking and leadership abilities. Unlike traditional bachelor’s degrees — which focus heavily on a single academic major — BAS programs build on the foundation of an AAS by emphasizing real-world skills developed across one or more employment sectors through integrated, hands-on studies.

With the addition of general education courses, graduates of BAS programs are well-equipped for diverse career opportunities in larger organizations, such as project manager, operations manager, IT systems analyst, marketing specialist or similar positions in administration or management. This degree is an ideal stepping stone for professionals aiming to advance in their industries.

While the AAS degree will help you excel within a specific vocational position, a BAS degree can help expand your career options. A bachelor’s degree can open up professions and jobs that require specific degrees. A bachelor’s can also help you land interview opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have been considered for with just the AAS degree.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that earning your bachelor’s degree makes it more likely you’ll increase your salary and chances of employment.

Benefits of Transferring Your AAS Credits

Why go through the process of transferring your credits instead of just applying directly to a bachelor’s program? It’s because transferring your AAS credits to a BAS program provides you with two major benefits:

• It allows you to build on your prior education: Rather than needing to start from scratch, being able to transfer the technical and vocational credits you earned in an AAS degree can make it easier to enter into a bachelor’s program.
• It can save you time and money: By transferring your credits you’ll be able to complete the bachelor’s degree in less time, reducing the overall cost of tuition and associated expenses.

Credit Transferability: What Does It Mean & Common Questions

Credit transferability refers to the ability to apply previously earned college credits from one institution or program toward the requirements of another program. This process helps to avoid the need to retake courses or duplicate your previous academic efforts.

When transferring credits, an institution will review a student’s transcripts to decide if the previous coursework meets their own program requirements. Factors that affect credit transferability include:

• Type of Degree: Institutions have to consider whether the credits were earned as part of a compatible program, such as an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) transferring into a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS). Transfer policies will often prioritize degrees that align with the target program’s curriculum.
• Accreditation: Accreditation is proof that an institution has been reviewed and meets a standard of quality education. Target programs will review the originating institution’s accreditation to ensure that the earned credits meet their own standards. Credits from regionally accredited institutions are often more likely to be accepted by receiving institutions.
• Course Relevance: Colleges assess whether the courses taken match the content, level and goals of their own programs. For example, technical or vocational courses may transfer into programs emphasizing similar skill sets.
• Grade Requirements: Many institutions require a minimum grade for credits to be eligible for transfer, often a “C” or higher. This ensures students have sufficient understanding of the course material.

How many credits you’ll have to earn for your bachelor’s degree after transferring your credits will depend on how many credits the receiving program requires for its degree and the exact number of approved transferable credits. The maximum number of credits that can be transferred from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree program typically ranges from 60 to 90 credits, depending on the institution and the specific program. For example, Marshall University programs will accept up to 72 credit hours and grades completed at one or more community colleges.

Even if you haven’t earned your associate’s degree, it may still be possible to transfer any earned credits. Many colleges and universities allow students to transfer individual course credits earned at another institution as long as they meet established criteria such as accreditation, course relevance and alignment with the bachelor’s program requirements.

How to Transfer an AAS Degree into a BAS Degree Program

While it is possible to transfer your AAS credits to a BAS program, not all programs will accept transfers and not all credits will be transferable. If you’re thinking about transferring, take the following steps to ensure that you’re transferring every possible credit.

• Research BAS programs that accept AAS credits – Not all BAS programs will accept AAS credits, so look for universities or colleges with articulation agreements or transfer-friendly policies for AAS graduates. You’ll want to focus on programs in fields aligned with your AAS degree — such as applied science — to ensure that your technical and vocational coursework will be relevant.

  In your research, be sure to review all program requirements, costs and fees and the availability of different modalities such as in-person, online or hybrid courses.

• Discuss your options with an academic advisor from the BAS program – Reach out and schedule a meeting with an advisor or transfer specialist from your prospective BAS program. They can provide insight into how many of your AAS credits can transfer toward the BAS degree and if there are any specific requirements for technical or general education credits.

  Don’t skip this step! This meeting is important for identifying any gaps in your coursework and developing a plan to meet all submission requirements. You don’t want to go through the entire process and realize at the end you missed an important step or deadline.

• Submit your transcripts for evaluation – Your official transcripts from your AAS program must be sent to the BAS program’s admissions office for evaluation. The receiving institution will review your completed coursework and determine which credits can be applied to the BAS program. Generally, technical and vocational credits are more likely to transfer within the same field of study.

  Be aware that some institutions may charge a fee for transcript evaluation (which is something that you should discuss with your advisor or transfer specialist).

• Complete any prerequisites – If the BAS program requires prerequisites that you didn’t take during your AAS program, then you’ll need to complete them. These can either be courses specific to the program or general education courses required by the college. Sometimes these courses can be completed at a community college or online, but in other cases these requirements cannot be fulfilled with transfer courses regardless of the course level.

  Be sure to consult the receiving program’s course catalog for details or discuss how you can address prerequisites with an advisor. Some programs may also require interviews or placement tests as part of the admissions process.

• Consider any credit-for-experience options – Many BAS programs offer credit-for-experience opportunities, which allow you to earn credit for professional work or technical certifications. This step can save you additional time and money by reducing the number of additional credits you need to complete your degree.

  If your target school has credit-for-experience options, be sure to prepare all required documentation such as a portfolio of work, certificates or letters from employers.

• Apply to the BAS program once your credits are evaluated – Once your transcripts are evaluated and you understand how your credits will transfer, you can officially submit your application to the BAS program. Be mindful of application deadlines and ensure all required documents (transcripts, personal statements, recommendation letters, etc.) are submitted on time.

Tips for Maximizing Transferable Credits

To ensure that you’re able to transfer every possible credit to your bachelor’s programs, consider the following tips:

• Do your research: Whether you’re doing your own research or talking with an advisor, you need to make sure you understand every step and every requirement. A mistake or misunderstanding can result in lost credits, lost time and even lost fees.
  • Make sure you identify all transfer-friendly schools and programs in your area and compare their requirements.
  • Look into financial aid options available to transfer students, as some institutions offer scholarships for AAS graduates continuing to a BAS program.
• Plan your timeline: Missing a deadline can mean missing an entire semester, or even worse, the expiration of your credits. Transferring and completing prerequisites may take more time than you think, so start early in the process, be aware of important dates and plan your timeline accordingly.
• Meet with an advisor early in the process: The receiving institutions’ academic advisors or admissions counselors will be much more familiar with the transfer process, so it’s a good idea to reach out to them as soon as possible. If you’re currently in an associate’s degree program, try to get in touch two or three semesters before you finish. If you’re working, inquire about any credit-for-experience options and their requirements.
• Stay organized: Always keep copies of your transcripts, credit evaluations and correspondence with academic advisors for future reference. If possible, have both digital and physical copies available.
• Double check course transfer policies. Transferring the maximum allowed amount of credits requires knowing which classes will transfer well. Generally, classes that are 100 level or higher are transferable, though some programs may have specific requirements. If you’re still selecting courses in your associate’s program, ask an advisor at your target school which courses will more easily transfer. If you’re transferring from out of state, you’ll also want to check if the college has any residency requirements.

Looking to transfer to a bachelor’s program? Marshall’s BAS in Integrated Studies program makes the credit transfer process as simple as possible.

Dr. Sherri Stepp, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies, explains, “When we created the BAS program, we ensured that credit transfers would be the simplest thing about it. For the BAS, it really doesn’t matter what the courses are transferred as, we will take up to 72 credit hours of AAS required courses to meet the general education requirements and do not require any additional gen-ed courses. If you choose to apply to a specific degree program, the transfer credit equivalencies could vary, and some credits may not meet the program requirements. You should contact the Office of Admissions for additional information.”