Just got AAS in Software Development

I am trying to get some real world advice and my teacher said that the folk in here are probably a good source of information. I just got my AAS and am trying to decide whether to look into my BS or certifications. I took Java and advanced Java with Servlets and JSPs. We didn't make it the the Faces part of the book but I am going through it on my own now. I am just not sure where my efforts would be best served and wanted to see if there was any brilliant advise on here. Most of the jobs that I have seen for my area are looking for BS + 1-5 years experience. I haven't seen any that say certs but have been told by a few programmer that certs show your actual ability where degrees show your willingness to learn. So I didn't know which would be better for someone like me to pursue.