Member Avatar for Rohnda

Howdy, I am a simple housewife, but hubby is an instructor for High Tech Institute. I have some questions and can't seem to find my answers anywhere else. Eventually I will be handing my place here to my hubby. He too has lots of questions. I feel his job is accomidating him just to keep him quiet. He teaches some Computer Networking and Computer repair. He has a few certificates but no degree. The school is now telling him that he needs a degree in Computer Networking and Security. He is under the impression that this is an Associates degree. I went to the University of Computer Tech. and I went for my Associates in Computer Science. Can someone tell me how this is the same. I had a lot more classes and needed a lot more credits than what they are saying he needs. They are allowing him to use past education for a few of the credits. But he apparently only needs 66 credits to get this degree and only 16 of them are gen ed credits. And from what I am seeing, they are all in Psychology. No math, english, sciences, or history. I argue with him that this degree that he is getting will not be able to be used at any other job than exactly what he is doing now. So if he wants to get a better job, this degree in Computer Networking and security will not expand his horizons. Am I correct in saying this. Would someone please tell me what the differences are in an Associate degree and a degree in Computer Networking. Thanks :-|

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Chainsaw

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A few practical clarifications for and that should make the situation easier to evaluate. An associate-degree title can mean very different things depending on the degree type and the school. Some two‑year degrees are transfer-oriented (often called Associate of Science or Associate of Arts) and include a full suite of general‑education courses (English, math, natural science, social science). Others are occupational/vocational (commonly labeled Associate of Applied Science or similar) and concentrate on hands‑on, technical classes with a much smaller general‑education footprint. Which path a program follows determines how useful the credential will be outside the specific role it trains for.

Concrete steps to clear this up: ask the school for the official program sheet or degree audit and the exact degree name (AAS, AS, AA, etc.); get a list of required courses and the breakdown between technical and general‑education credits; request their transfer or articulation agreements with four‑year schools; and confirm accreditation status. Also verify residency/credit‑hour rules (how many credits must be earned at that institution) and how prior certificates or coursework were applied to the degree.

Career implications and options are straightforward. A vocational associate that focuses on networking/security will prepare someone quickly for hands‑on roles and can be coupled with industry certifications and experience to open many technician and instructor jobs. If broader mobility or later transfer into a bachelor’s in computer science or IT administration is a goal, a transfer‑friendly associate (or adding core gen‑ed credits like English and math) is the safer route.

Practical next moves: get the curriculum and written policy details, compare them to the husband’s long‑term goals (teaching vs moving into other IT roles), and use those facts to decide whether to accept the current plan, add transferable general‑education courses, or pursue a different associate that better preserves future options.

Member Avatar for Chainsaw

I've never heard of a 'degree in Computer Networking and Security', but maybe someplace now offers one. Generally, an 'associate' degree is like a 'half bachelor' degree - i.e. it implies you've finished a couple of years of general coursework that specializes in (in this case) computer science. Networking and Security both sound like the subject of a single course.

Now that you ask, since you seem to have the degree and he doesn't, why doesn't he become the househusband and you do the teaching! :-)

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