Completing an AA or AS degree has the benefit of program and/or course equivalency agreements which have been negotiated with four-year colleges and universities that allow you to transfer as a junior.
AA degree completion also fulfills the lower division general education requirements of many transfer schools.
The AS degree emphasizes math and science more than the AA does. In most cases, students transferring to an Illinois 4-year college or university will complete the lower division general education courses after transfer (one additional course in Humanities or Fine Arts and one additional course in Social and Behavioral Sciences). Some schools will not accept an AS, so plan your degree choice with your advisor.
The AAS degree prepares students for immediate employment following program completion. The degree emphasizes field-specific training combined with fewer general education courses. However, BHC supports transfer for AAS & career Certificate students – see the planning guides at Transfer from Career Programs.