Associate in Science Degree Questions

Common questions, answers and additional resources.

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QUESTION	ADDITIONAL NOTES
When should I apply? How do I get started? Valencia has a rolling admissions process, meaning you can submit an application at any time. However, to start classes by a specific term, you should complete and submit your application by the Application Priority Deadline for that term. Note: A separate application is required for the Allied Health and Nursing programs	Information on Application Deadlines: Application Deadlines Information on Enrollment Services: 407-582-1507 or Enrollment Services Application information for the Allied Health and Nursing programs: Health Sciences
Is an Orientation required? Orientations are required for all A.S. degree programs. However, if you are seeking a Technical Certificate, you are not required to attend an orientation.	Orientation Register for New Student Orientation or Transfer Student Orientation: New Student Orientation Note: If you begin seeking a Technical Certificate, and decide to change to a degree seeking status, you will be required to complete an orientation before continuing to take courses.
Will I be required to take any entry testing? All A.S. degree seeking students will be required to take three Assessments before enrolling in courses. Note: If your primary language is not English and you are seeking an A.S. degree or Technical certificate, you will be required to take the COMPASS ESL.	Entry Testing First, create your Atlas account. Contact Assessment to understand your next steps.
How much will the program cost? Costs vary depending on student’s residency status and selected degree programs.	Cost Information Tuition The average cost for an A.S. Degree program (excluding Health Sciences) is approximately $6,500 – $7,000 for tuition, plus the cost of books and supplies, and special fees.
Is the program eligible for Financial Aid? All A.S. degrees are eligible for Financial Aid. However, only Technical Certificate programs that are 24 credits or more are eligible for Financial Aid.	Financial Aid To apply for Financial Aid, please visit: fafsa.gov. School Code: 006750
Will prep courses (Developmental Education) be required? If your Assessment tests indicate a need for prep math, reading or writing you *may* need to enroll in developmental education courses (please see additional notes section for more information). However, if you are seeking a Technical Certificate, prep coursework is not a requirement as general education courses are usually not part of the Technical Certificate.	Prep Courses Once you’ve attended Orientation, you will be informed if you will need to enroll in any prep courses. Note: If you begin seeking a Technical Certificate, and decide to change to a degree seeking status, you may be required to complete assessments before continuing to take courses.
How can I connect with a student success coach? All A.S. degree programs have an assigned Student Success Coach who has expertise in the field and can help ensure that you get into the right program and the right courses. Students are strongly encouraged to consult their Student Success Coach for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals. Education plans can only be created after all official transcripts have been evaluated by the Graduation Office to determine past courses for transfer eligibility.	Student Success Coach Students should contact their Student Success Coach after they have completed all required steps to the Enrollment Process including; attending Orientation, having all transcripts evaluated, and taking all required Assessments. Once students have completed the Enrollment process, they can contact their Advisor via their Atlas email or telephone to set up an appointment. Students must always include their Valencia ID number. Any emails sent from outside Atlas email may go to the spam folder. Advising is done on an appointment only basis.
What kind of job can I get? Valencia’s A.S. degrees prepare you to go directly to work in a specialized career. Our A.S. degree programs are all geared toward high-skill, high-wage industries, and are designed to give you the best possible preparation for the fastest-growing jobs in our region. You will be qualified to work in your field immediately after you complete an A.S. degree.	Resources to explore potential careers, salary, job demand and related degrees: Valencia College A.S. Degrees Valencia College Career Center Career Center
How much money will I make? Valencia College focuses on careers that the State of Florida has determined to be “high demand, high wage” jobs. While there are a number of factors that determine how much a given individual will earn in a given field, additional training and education has typically been shown to increase a person’s earning potential.	Resources for salary information: Florida Wages Bureau of Labor Statistics
How long will it take? If you are a full-time student, most A.S. degrees can be completed in 2-3 years. If you are a part-time student, it generally takes 3-4 years. Many Technical Certificate programs can be completed in 1 year or less.	Time to complete degree or certificate Note: Required Developmental Courses may increase the length of time needed to complete degree programs.
Can the program be completed online? Some programs may be offered entirely online. But not all courses are offered online every term. So it is best to check with your Student Success Coach for online options and availability.	Online Courses Availability of online courses vary by degree. You can check the availability of online courses through your Atlas account once you are enrolled and become a Valencia student.
Is there a specific order in which the courses should be taken? Yes. Please check with your Student Success Coach to discuss the appropriate course sequence that is recommended for your program.	Course Sequence It is imperative that students connect with their Student Success Coach to discuss the recommended course sequence. Failure to complete courses in certain sequence may delay graduation. Your Student Success Coach can help you locate the Recommended Course Sequence Guides in Atlas.
Do I need to apply for graduation? All A.S. degree seeking students must apply for graduation through their Atlas account by the graduation application deadline. However, Technical Certificates are automatically awarded and mailed out to the address on file 6-8 weeks after grades post.	Academic Calendar Valencia College Academic Calendar
Will my A.S. Degree transfer to a Bachelor’s Degree? Associate in Science (A.S.) degree students who wish to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree have several options. You can transfer into Valencia’s B.A.S. (Bachelor of Applied Science) degree in Business & Organizational Leadership, as well as other B.A.S. degrees that are offered at some State Universities or Colleges. Some A.S. Degrees will also transfer into specific 2+2 bachelor’s degree programs that are offered at Florida State Colleges.	Student Success Coach Students who wish to continue their education should consult with their Student Success Coach to determine the best education plan for their career goals. Students wishing to transfer credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for contacting the College of choice for acceptance of this degree.
Is placement assistance available? Yes. If you need assistance with job resources or in locating an internship, please contact the Internship and Workforce Services office.	Information on Internships and Workforce Services: Internship and Workforce Services Office
What is the difference between A.A. Degrees and A.S. Degrees? The Associate in Arts degree (A.A. degree) is a general studies degree. An A.A. Degree will prepare you to transfer to a Florida public university as a junior. As an A.A. student, there are ways to focus in on your intended major. You can follow a transfer plan or choose a pre-major which will help you meet most upper division pre-reqs. Valencia’s Associate in Science (A.S.) Degrees are two-year programs that prepare you for immediate employment in a specialized field with the skills you need for an exciting career and a well-paying job. With one of Valencia’s A.S. Degrees, you have several options. You can enter directly into a high-skill, high-wage career upon graduation. You also have the option of transferring into Valencia’s B.A.S. degree or into specific 2+2 Bachelor’s Degree programs that are offered at Florida State Colleges.	For a complete list of all Valencia’s degree and certificate options: Valencia College Programs Valencia College Degree Options Valencia College A.S. Degree Programs

QUESTION

ADDITIONAL NOTES

When should I apply? How do I get started?

Valencia has a rolling admissions process, meaning you can submit an application at any time. However, to start classes by a specific term, you should complete and submit your application by the Application Priority Deadline for that term.

Note: A separate application is required for the Allied Health and Nursing programs

Information on Application Deadlines:

Application Deadlines

Information on Enrollment Services:

407-582-1507 or Enrollment Services

Application information for the Allied Health and Nursing programs:

Health Sciences

Is an Orientation required?

Orientations are required for all A.S. degree programs.

However, if you are seeking a Technical Certificate, you are not required to attend an orientation.

Orientation

New Student Orientation

Note: If you begin seeking a Technical Certificate, and decide to change to a degree seeking status, you will be required to complete an orientation before continuing to take courses.

Will I be required to take any entry testing?

All A.S. degree seeking students will be required to take three Assessments before enrolling in courses.

Note: If your primary language is not English and you are seeking an A.S. degree or Technical certificate, you will be required to take the COMPASS ESL.

Entry Testing

First, create your Atlas account.

Contact Assessment to understand your next steps.

How much will the program cost?

Costs vary depending on student’s residency status and selected degree programs.

Cost Information

Tuition

The average cost for an A.S. Degree program (excluding Health Sciences) is approximately $6,500 – $7,000 for tuition, plus the cost of books and supplies, and special fees.

Is the program eligible for Financial Aid?

All A.S. degrees are eligible for Financial Aid. However, only Technical Certificate programs that are 24 credits or more are eligible for Financial Aid.

Financial Aid

To apply for Financial Aid, please visit: fafsa.gov.

School Code: 006750

Will prep courses (Developmental Education) be required?

If your Assessment tests indicate a need for prep math, reading or writing you may need to enroll in developmental education courses (please see additional notes section for more information).

However, if you are seeking a Technical Certificate, prep coursework is not a requirement as general education courses are usually not part of the Technical Certificate.

Prep Courses

Once you’ve attended Orientation, you will be informed if you will need to enroll in any prep courses.

Note: If you begin seeking a Technical Certificate, and decide to change to a degree seeking status, you may be required to complete assessments before continuing to take courses.

How can I connect with a student success coach?

All A.S. degree programs have an assigned Student Success Coach who has expertise in the field and can help ensure that you get into the right program and the right courses.

Students are strongly encouraged to consult their Student Success Coach for assistance in determining the best education plan for their career goals. Education plans can only be created after all official transcripts have been evaluated by the Graduation Office to determine past courses for transfer eligibility.

Student Success Coach

Students should contact their Student Success Coach after they have completed all required steps to the Enrollment Process including; attending Orientation, having all transcripts evaluated, and taking all required Assessments.

Once students have completed the Enrollment process, they can contact their Advisor via their Atlas email or telephone to set up an appointment. Students must always include their Valencia ID number. Any emails sent from outside Atlas email may go to the spam folder.

Advising is done on an appointment only basis.

What kind of job can I get?

Valencia’s A.S. degrees prepare you to go directly to work in a specialized career. Our A.S. degree programs are all geared toward high-skill, high-wage industries, and are designed to give you the best possible preparation for the fastest-growing jobs in our region. You will be qualified to work in your field immediately after you complete an A.S. degree.

Resources to explore potential careers, salary, job demand and related degrees:

How much money will I make?

Valencia College focuses on careers that the State of Florida has determined to be “high demand, high wage” jobs. While there are a number of factors that determine how much a given individual will earn in a given field, additional training and education has typically been shown to increase a person’s earning potential.

Resources for salary information:

How long will it take?

If you are a full-time student, most A.S. degrees can be completed in 2-3 years. If you are a part-time student, it generally takes 3-4 years.

Many Technical Certificate programs can be completed in 1 year or less.

Time to complete degree or certificate

Note: Required Developmental Courses may increase the length of time needed to complete degree programs.

Can the program be completed online?

Some programs may be offered entirely online. But not all courses are offered online every term. So it is best to check with your Student Success Coach for online options and availability.

Online Courses

Availability of online courses vary by degree. You can check the availability of online courses through your Atlas account once you are enrolled and become a Valencia student.

Is there a specific order in which the courses should be taken?

Yes. Please check with your Student Success Coach to discuss the appropriate course sequence that is recommended for your program.

Course Sequence

It is imperative that students connect with their Student Success Coach to discuss the recommended course sequence. Failure to complete courses in certain sequence may delay graduation. Your Student Success Coach can help you locate the Recommended Course Sequence Guides in Atlas.

Do I need to apply for graduation?

All A.S. degree seeking students must apply for graduation through their Atlas account by the graduation application deadline.

However, Technical Certificates are automatically awarded and mailed out to the address on file 6-8 weeks after grades post.

Academic Calendar

Valencia College Academic Calendar

Will my A.S. Degree transfer to a Bachelor’s Degree?

Associate in Science (A.S.) degree students who wish to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree have several options. You can transfer into Valencia’s B.A.S. (Bachelor of Applied Science) degree in Business & Organizational Leadership, as well as other B.A.S. degrees that are offered at some State Universities or Colleges. Some A.S. Degrees will also transfer into specific 2+2 bachelor’s degree programs that are offered at Florida State Colleges.

Student Success Coach

Students who wish to continue their education should consult with their Student Success Coach to determine the best education plan for their career goals. Students wishing to transfer credits from this program to another institution must accept responsibility for contacting the College of choice for acceptance of this degree.

Is placement assistance available?

Yes. If you need assistance with job resources or in locating an internship, please contact the Internship and Workforce Services office.

Information on Internships and Workforce Services:

Internship and Workforce Services Office

What is the difference between A.A. Degrees and A.S. Degrees?

The Associate in Arts degree (A.A. degree) is a general studies degree. An A.A. Degree will prepare you to transfer to a Florida public university as a junior. As an A.A. student, there are ways to focus in on your intended major. You can follow a transfer plan or choose a pre-major which will help you meet most upper division pre-reqs.

Valencia’s Associate in Science (A.S.) Degrees are two-year programs that prepare you for immediate employment in a specialized field with the skills you need for an exciting career and a well-paying job.

With one of Valencia’s A.S. Degrees, you have several options. You can enter directly into a high-skill, high-wage career upon graduation. You also have the option of transferring into Valencia’s B.A.S. degree or into specific 2+2 Bachelor’s Degree programs that are offered at Florida State Colleges.

For a complete list of all Valencia’s degree and certificate options:

Future Students