AOS
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Affidavit of service |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Law & Legal, Education & Academia |
AOS has two meanings. It stands for Affidavit of service (litigation) or Associate in Occupational Studies (degree).
Meanings of AOS at a glance
| # | AOS stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Affidavit of service | Law & Legal › Litigation |
| 2 | Associate in Occupational Studies | Education & Academia › Degree |
1. Affidavit of service
Law & Legal · Litigation Abbreviations
Sworn statement by a process server or other person describing how and when legal papers were delivered to a party. It is filed with the court as evidence that service was proper.
Example: The process server's AOS says the summons was left with the defendant's adult daughter at his home.
Many states require an affidavit for service of the initial summons and complaint, while later papers can use a simpler certificate of service signed by counsel. In federal court, Rule 4(l) requires proof by the server's affidavit unless a marshal made service. In English procedure, AoS instead means acknowledgment of service, a defendant's response form.
2. Associate in Occupational Studies
Education & Academia · Degree Abbreviations
Associate degree awarded mainly by career schools, especially in New York, for intensive occupational programs such as culinary arts, automotive technology or audio engineering. The Culinary Institute of America awards its two-year culinary and pastry degrees as the AOS.
Example: The CIA's AOS in baking and pastry arts includes an externship at a working bakery or restaurant.
Unlike the AAS, the AOS typically contains little or no general education, so its credits rarely transfer toward a bachelor's degree. Employers in hospitality and the trades value it for the hands-on hours it represents rather than for academic content.
Related abbreviations
More litigation abbreviations
- AAA – American Arbitration Association
- ADR – Alternative dispute resolution
- AEO – Attorneys' eyes only
- Aff. – Affidavit
- Br. – Brief
- CMC – Case management conference
- COA – Cause of action
- Compl. – Complaint
See all 71 litigation abbreviations →
More degree abbreviations
- AFA – Associate of Fine Arts
- AGS – Associate in General Studies
- ALM – Artium Liberalium Magister (Master of Liberal Arts)
- AM – Artium Magister (Master of Arts)
- AS – Associate of Science
- ASN – Associate of Science in Nursing
- AuD – Doctor of Audiology
- BA – Bachelor of Arts
See all 139 degree abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.