General Education and the Applied Science Degree – A Value Proposition
What is the value of including general education courses in an Associate in Applied Science degree? Colleges offering this two year degree aim to prepare people for success in professions ranging from accounting to radiography. Generally speaking, employers look for effective communicators who are able to problem solve and work with a diverse group of people. Employers mean “that which results in these skills” when they talk about the value of general education, even though one employer may have different specific needs than the next. Correspondingly, students in an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree program want to graduate with a degree and skills that will lead to a good job in their chosen profession. Students mean “that which helps me get a good job” when they talk about the value of general education, even though one student may be more willing to practice their skills than the next.
