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Diploma in Science Programs in the USA: Top 20

These twenty entries are American associate degrees and certificates in applied and technical science — two-year and one-year qualifications at community colleges and small state institutions. Several are vocational credentials with a job at the end; several are general transfer degrees with no subject at all; and the difference between those two kinds decides everything about what the qualification is worth.

How this list is ordered: Ordered by each university's QS World University Rankings position where it has one, then by research citations recorded by OpenAlex; one programme per university, and universities with neither measure are left out.

Full time or part time
Full time106 40%Full or part time156 60%

Same 262 records.

When these programmes start
Fall91 50%Spring91 50%October1 1%

Counted from the intake stated on 92 of 262 records. A programme listing more than one intake is counted under each.

1 Diploma Science for Forensics

CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration2 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations4,302,690

A science programme aimed at forensics at a community college in lower Manhattan, covering the scientific side of criminal investigation.

Most forensic laboratory jobs in the United States need a bachelor's degree, so this is usually the first half of one.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Forensic Laboratory Technician
  • Evidence Collection Specialist

Full programme details →

3 Certificate of Applied Science

The University of Montana

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration2 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations2,998,593

A certificate of applied science at the University of Montana — a shorter credential than an associate degree, adding one specific technical skill.

It is listed at two years, which is long for a certificate. Certificates are usually taken alongside or after other study rather than on their own.

Full programme details →

4 Outdoor Leadership, Associate of Applied Science

Prince William Sound College

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration2 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations843,924

Prince William Sound College teaches outdoor leadership, the most unusual title here and a frankly job-focused one.

Outdoor skills, leadership technique and environmental stewardship make up the content, aimed at people who intend to work outside. In Alaska guiding, outdoor education and recreation management are a genuine industry rather than a side interest.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Outdoor Education Instructor

Full programme details →

5 Associate of Applied Science

University of Alaska - Anchorage

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration2 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations843,924

Anchorage records this Associate of Applied Science without naming a subject, which makes it hard to judge from the listing alone.

What is stated is the method: hands-on learning and practical skills applied to a working role.

Alaskan institutions generally build applied awards around the state's own economy: resource industries, marine work, rural health and aviation. Which of those this one serves is not stated here.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Administrative Coordinator

Full programme details →

6 Associate of Applied Science – Technical Agriculture

Eastern Kentucky University

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration2 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations114,284

Eastern Kentucky's technical agriculture award trains people for technician and management roles in farming and agricultural business.

The content covers a spread of agricultural subjects with the practical skills attached to each. Named destinations include agricultural sales and equipment operation, which are the jobs an agricultural state actually advertises.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Agricultural Sales Representative
  • Agricultural Equipment Operator

Full programme details →

7 Associate of Science, A.S.

Sussex County Community College

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration1 year
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations41,460

An Associate of Science at Sussex County Community College, in New Jersey, listed at one year.

An Associate of Science is the academic version, built as the first half of a bachelor's degree, unlike the applied version which is built for work. One year is short for the credential.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Education and Outreach Coordinator

Full programme details →

8 Associate of Applied Science in Forest Technology

University of Arkansas - Monticello

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration1 year
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations29,074

Monticello compresses forest technology into a single year, which is unusually short for an applied science award.

Forest management, logging and resource conservation form the content, aimed squarely at technician work. State and federal agencies hire from this training alongside the timber industry itself, and forest management consultancy is a named route.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Forest Management Consultant

Full programme details →

9 Associate of Science

Northwestern State University

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration1 year
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations19,967

An Associate of Science at Northwestern State University, in Louisiana, recorded without a subject and listed at one year.

Taking an academic associate degree at a university rather than a community college usually makes moving on to that university's own bachelor's degree simpler.

Full programme details →

10 Diploma Physical Therapist Assistant

Danville Community College

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration1 year
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations17,761

A physical therapist assistant course at Danville Community College, in Virginia — the clearest job qualification here. A PTA works under a physical therapist's direction.

The role is licensed or certified in most states, with a national exam. It is listed at one year, which is short for this training.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Rehabilitation Technician
  • Sports Rehabilitation Assistant

Full programme details →

11 Associate in Applied Science in Technical Studies

Excelsior University

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • StartsOctober
  • Research citations13,324

An Associate in Applied Science in technical studies at Excelsior University, which specialises in recognising study and training completed elsewhere.

That makes it a route for people with military service, workplace training or earlier college credit to turn what they have into a degree. No length is recorded.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Energy Systems Technician
  • Maintenance/Field Technician

Full programme details →

12 Diploma Physical Therapist Assistant

Lewis-Clark State College

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations11,990

The second physical therapist assistant course here, at Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho. PTAs deliver treatment plans set by a physical therapist.

No length is recorded for this one. The role is licensed or certified in most states and requires passing a national examination.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Physical Therapist Assistant
  • Sports Medicine Assistant

Full programme details →

13 Associate in Science

Forsyth Technical Community College

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration2 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations11,439

An Associate in Science at Forsyth Technical Community College, in North Carolina, recorded without a subject.

North Carolina has a statewide agreement between its community colleges and public universities, which makes moving credit more predictable than in many states.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Pharmaceutical Sales Representative

Full programme details →

14 Associate of Applied Science

Cisco College

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration2 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations9,265

An Associate of Applied Science at Cisco College, in Texas, recorded without a subject and listed at two years.

Texas runs a statewide framework for transferring credit, but it applies to academic courses rather than applied ones. Applied degrees are built for employment.

Full programme details →

15 Associate of Applied Science

Sheridan College

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration2 years
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations7,999

An Associate of Applied Science at Sheridan College, in Wyoming, recorded without a subject.

Small rural colleges often run applied courses tied closely to local industry, which can mean good job links in one area.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Health Services Administrator

Full programme details →

16 Associate of Science in General Studies

Tusculum College

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration1 year
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations7,501

An Associate of Science in general studies at Tusculum University, in Tennessee — a broad academic credential with no subject specialism at all.

General studies degrees cover the general half of a bachelor's and keep options open.

Entry requirements, as the university states them

  • A high school diploma or equivalent
  • A strong academic record in relevant subjects
  • A commitment to academic and personal growth
  • IELTS: A score typically ranging from 6.0 to 6.5
  • TOEFL: A score generally between 60 and 79, depending upon specific program requirements

Full programme details →

17 Associate of Applied Science

Collin County Community College District

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration1 year
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations5,918

An Associate of Applied Science at Collin College, in Texas, recorded without a subject and listed at one year.

This college runs clearly documented transfer credentials elsewhere in its catalogue, so its own pages will say whether this one is built for work or for moving on.

Entry requirements, as the university states them

  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • A satisfactory GPA as determined by the college
  • Completion of prerequisite courses may be required
  • IELTS: Band 6.0 or higher
  • TOEFL: Score over 79 on the internet-based test

Full programme details →

18 Associate of Science

Louisiana State University at Alexandria

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Research citations5,747

An Associate of Science at Louisiana State University at Alexandria, recorded without a subject or a length.

An academic associate degree taken inside a university system usually moves smoothly into that system's own bachelor's degrees, which is the main thing this credential offers.

Full programme details →

19 Associate of Science (AS)

North Central Michigan College

  • DeliveryOn campus
  • Study modeFull time
  • Duration4 semesters
  • StartsFall, Spring
  • Research citations4,763

North Central Michigan states this award as four semesters, which is two academic years expressed more precisely.

The content introduces the principles of science, mathematics and technology together. An academic rather than applied label means it is built for continuing to a bachelor's degree, though medical sales and healthcare administration appear as destinations in their own right.

Jobs graduates go into

  • Medical Sales Representative
  • Health Care Administrator

Full programme details →

Associate degrees in science: common questions

What is the difference between an AS and an AAS?

An Associate of Science is an academic transfer degree, built as the first half of a bachelor's and weighted towards general education and foundational science. An Associate of Applied Science is vocational, built for immediate employment, and it transfers poorly because universities will not usually accept technical credit towards an academic major.

Can I get a real job with one of these?

With the vocational ones, yes. Physical therapist assistant is a licensed or certified role in most states entered at this level, and forest technology, technical agriculture and outdoor leadership all have identifiable employers. The general transfer degrees are foundations rather than job qualifications.

Will the credits transfer to a bachelor's degree?

An Associate of Science is designed to, through an agreement between specific institutions or a statewide framework. An Associate of Applied Science usually is not. Confirm with the receiving university's transfer office whether the credit counts towards the science major and whether the laboratory and mathematics courses are accepted.

What do I need to check for a physical therapist assistant programme?

Three things: that the programme holds the accreditation required for the licensure examination, that your state licenses or certifies the role and on what terms, and what the programme's examination pass rate is. None of these is recorded here, and all three are published by the relevant bodies.

Why do several entries have no subject?

Because the records for them are simply “Associate of Applied Science” or “Associate of Science” with the field unstated. At this level the field is the entire decision — a technical agriculture degree and a general studies degree share a credential name and nothing else — so read each description and confirm with the college.

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