<p>I was looking at degrees offered at my CC, and I realized that I have taken all the courses required to receive a Liberal Arts with Emphasis in Physical and Life Science AA.
Should I bother petitioning for this degree? I mean, I'm aware that I'll be transferring over to a UC next year to get my BS. Will it look better to a potential employer or anything?</p>
<p>Someone told me that it's important to get an AA because I never officially graduated from high school--I took the CHSPE. </p>
<p>I appreciate your thoughts.</p>
<p>If you have the required courses for the AA, it won’t hurt. It’ll show merit for the years you spent at your community college. But if you have to go out of your way to get classes to earn the AA, then it’s not worth it.</p>
<p>Do it! Why not if you’ve already finished the requirements, right?</p>
<p>It can’t hurt you to get an AA. I’m en route to get like 5 AAs in random fields just for completing 70 units including IGETC/pre-reqs for UCB.</p>
<p>Eh, if you don’t have a diploma and want to work while at a UC, then I would say yes. Otherwise, it doesn’t really matter.</p>
<p>It’s not a bad idea to get the AA. According to the latest (2009) report from the National Center for Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov), the median income for those with AA degrees was $6K more than for those with only a high school education.</p>
<p>[Fast</a> Facts](<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=77]Fast”>Fast Facts: Income of young adults (77))</p>
<p>Sometimes life throws curve balls. You might not be able to complete the 4 year degree due to unforeseen circumstances (prolonged illness, infirmity, etc.) If this happens (and I know a few transfers who have fallen into this category) you will only be able to claim a CHSP certificate with ‘some college’ on job applications, etc. This would put you in the same boat as someone who took 1 course at CC and then dropped.</p>
<p>If you’ve already completed/will complete the requirements for an AA degree before you transfer, I would suggest officially petitioning for it.</p>
<p>I’m in the same boat, I was getting all my transfer pre-reqs out of the way and realized I was one P.E. unit away from getting an AA. I figured, 1 Friday morning golf class isn’t going to kill my schedule. I’ve been at my CC long enough, it will be nice to see something tangible for my efforts.</p>
<p>I was eligible for 2 AAs (high unit science major), so I picked up one for my major (Physics) and one that might help me get a part time job in a lab cleaning glassware or something after I transfer (Chemistry).</p>
<p>Everyone becomes eligible for an AA if you meet the requirements to transfer to a 4-year university. They look identical to a bachelor degree except they say “associates” instead of bachelor. So, put it in a frame and hang it up!</p>