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Types of Degrees

Congratulations you are going to college! Ridgewater College offers over 100 degrees and certificates in a wide range of academic areas. We can help you find the right academic path for you. We know that choosing a degree option can be confusing, and would love to walk you through the process. Certificates, diplomas, and degrees differ in the time it takes to earn each as well as the credits required in order to graduate. Each of these academic achievements is suitable for certain specific fields or career goals.

AA Degree – The Associate of Arts Degree

Section titled “AA Degree – The Associate of Arts Degree”
  • Often called a Liberal Arts degree
  • A two-year degree
  • Often transferred to a four-year program at a college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree
  • Students can enter directly into the workforce

AA Degree Options

| Communication Studies Transfer Pathway | | — | | Liberal Arts and Sciences | | Psychology Transfer Pathway |

AS Degree – The Associate of Science Degree

Section titled “AS Degree – The Associate of Science Degree”
  • Is considered Liberal Arts degree, but has a strong science emphasis
  • A two-year degree
  • Often transferred to a four-year program at a college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree
  • Students can enter directly into the workforce

AS Degree Options

| Agricultural Science and Technology | | — | | Biological Sciences | | Business Transfer Pathway | | Chemistry | | Criminal Justice Pathway | | Early Childhood Education Transfer Pathway | | Elementary Education Foundations Transfer Pathway | | Health and Science Broad Field | | Law Enforcement Transfer Pathway | | Nursing (MANE) | | Special Education Transfer Pathway |

AAS Degree – The Associate of Applied Science

Section titled “AAS Degree – The Associate of Applied Science”
  • A vocational or technical degree
  • A two-year degree
  • Classes are geared mainly toward the major with a few classes in liberal arts
  • Not likely to transfer to a four-year program at a college or university
  • Students graduate and enter directly into the workforce
  • May be beneficial for students interested in supervisory positions later in their career

AAS Degree Options

| Accountant | | — | | Activity Director | | Administrative Assistant | | Advanced Carpentry | | Advanced Esthetics | | Agri Business | | Auto Body Collision Technology | | Automotive Service Technology | | CNC Precision Manufacturing | | Computer Aided Drafting and Design | | Computer Programmer | | Computer Support Technician | | Cosmetology | | Dairy Management | | Education Paraprofessional | | Education Paraprofessional, Title 1 | | Electrician | | Estheology | | Farm Operation and Management | | Health Information Technician | | Healthcare Administrative Assistant | | Law Enforcement | | Legal Assistant | | Manufacturing Automation Technologies | | Marketing and Design | | Marketing and Sales Management | | Massage Therapy | | Medical Assistant | | Multimedia Design Technology | | Network Administration and Security | | Nondestructive Testing Technology | | Paramedic | | Photography and Design | | Precision Agriculture | | Professional Photography Technology | | Process Controls | | Veterinary Technology | | Web Developer | | Welding |

Diploma

Section titled “Diploma”
  • A vocational or technical degree
  • A two-year degree
  • Classes are focused on the major
  • Not likely to transfer to a four-year program at a college or university
  • Students graduate and enter directly into the workforce

Diploma Options

| Accountant | | — | | Accounting Technician | | Administrative Assistant | | Agri Business | | Agriculture Equipment Mechanic | | Agronomy Technology | | Auto Body Collision Technology | | Automotive Service Technology | | CNC Precision Manufacturing | | Computer Programmer | | Computer Support Technician | | Cosmetology | | Dairy Management | | Drafting and Design (Computer-Aided) | | Electrical Technology | | Electrician | | Farm Business Management | | Farm Operation and Management | | Healthcare Administrative Assistant | | Legal Assistant | | Machining Technician | | Manufacturing Automation Technologies | | Marketing and Sales Management | | Massage Therapy | | Medical Assistant | | Medical Coding Specialist | | Multimedia Design Technology | | Network Administration and Security | | Nondestructive Testing Technology | | Nursing (Practical) | | Occupational Skills | | Office Assistant | | Paramedic | | Photography and Design | | Photography Technology (Professional) | | Precision Agriculture | | Process Controls Technician | | Sales and Management Associate | | Web Developer | | Welding |

Certificate

Section titled “Certificate”
  • Can be either liberal arts or technical focused
  • Often takes between one and 1 1/2 years to complete
  • Classes are focused on the major
  • Liberal arts certificates can transfer to a four-year program at a college or university
  • Technical certificates not likely to transfer to a four-year program at a college or university
  • Technical students completing a certificate can enter directly into the workforce

Certificate Options

Activity Director
Communication Studies
Computer Numerical Control Technician
CST Helpdesk
Drafting - CAD Technician
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Special Education
Entrepreneurship
Estheology
Estheology - Advanced Skin Care
Global Studies
Legal Assistant
Manufacturing Production Technologies
Nail Care Technology
Occupational Skills
Phlebotomist
Photography
Physical Education Teaching and Coaching
Poultry Management
Precision Farming
Welding (Entry Level)
Windows Administrator

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