Sending your child off to college can feel intimidating, especially if you grew up in a time when attending college wasn’t the norm. But times have changed, and more high school graduates are pursuing their college degrees than ever before. With so many different types of college degrees available, it can be hard to know the difference between each one. Understanding the options can be a little overwhelming, both for parents and students, but it’s all part of this exciting new chapter!
Which degree will help them get the job they want? What does each one mean? How much do they cost? These are all valid questions and concerns, which is why we’ve taken the time to give you an overview of the five main types of college degrees.
What Is a College Degree?
A college degree provides an overarching structure and direction for your studies. There are five main types of degrees that can be earned while in college. It’s important to understand the different types of degrees available so that your education is worthwhile and applicable to the job market. The five main types of degrees are an Associate’s Degree, a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree, a Doctoral Degree, and a Professional Degree.
Types of College Degrees: An Overview of Various Types of College Degrees
Understanding the five main types of college degrees is essential for making informed decisions about your future in education and career. The types of college degrees will be elaborated upon in the following sections.
College degrees come in various levels, each designed for different academic and career goals. Whether you’re looking for a short-term program to enter the workforce quickly or an advanced degree to specialize in a field, understanding the differences between degree types can help you choose the right path for your education and career.
Associate’s Degree
An Associate’s Degree, sometimes called a two-year degree, is typically earned after two years of full-time study or after a student has completed a school’s general education requirements. A typical Associate’s Degree requires around 60 credits and is often awarded by a Community College.
However, students may also be able to take College Level Examination Program exams or Advanced Placement exams to earn an Associate’s Degree sooner. After earning an Associate’s Degree, students can transfer to a four-year college to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field, or they can enter a career path. Several career paths, including Air Traffic Controller, Dental Hygienist, and Ultrasound Technician, require an Associate’s Degree.
After earning an Associate’s Degree, students can explore various types of college degrees, with the Bachelor’s Degree being the next common step in higher education.
Bachelor’s Degree
A Bachelor’s Degree is a four-year degree that is the most common degree in the United States. It is sometimes called an Undergraduate Degree because students pursue it prior to pursuing a Graduate Degree (typically right after high school). It is a general degree that covers a wide variety of topics. Bachelor’s Degrees generally require a minimum of 120 credits to complete and usually take a full four years to earn.
Most Bachelor’s Degrees will require a student to declare a major. A major is a specific area of study that a student will concentrate on throughout their college years. Bachelor’s Degrees can vary dramatically in difficulty depending on the student’s major. After graduation, depending on their major, students should be able to enter a career path or apply for a Master’s Degree or Professional Program. A Bachelor’s degree can help you qualify for entry-level and mid-level positions across many fields, including business, computer science, social services, healthcare, and more.
Master’s Degree
A Master’s Degree is a degree program that typically takes between one and two years to complete depending on whether or not it is pursued full-time or part-time. It is typically awarded after a student completes between 30 and 60 credits.
Most Master’s Degrees will be in a specific field of study related to the Bachelor’s Degree that the student has already earned. For example, a Master’s Degree in Biology would be a degree focused on more specialized topics in the field of Biology.
Because a Master’s Degree typically allows students to specialize within their chosen field, it’s a great option for students with a specific career path in mind. Nurse practitioners, Speech-Language Pathologists, School Administrators, and Public Relations Managers are all typically required to hold a Master’s Degree.
Doctorate Degree
Doctoral Degrees are considered the highest among the types of college degrees and usually require extensive research and study. Doctoral Degrees take significantly longer to earn than Master’s Degrees and are sometimes referred to as Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy). Most Doctoral Degrees require the completion of a Master’s Degree before admission. However, there are some exceptions to this. Some Doctoral Degrees can be obtained through a direct entry Doctoral Program, where you are able to enter directly after earning a Bachelor’s Degree.
These programs usually combine both Master’s and Doctoral coursework into one continuous program. Since there are options, it is important to research the specific requirements of the degree you want to earn before embarking on your education. Most Doctoral Degrees will require three to five years of full-time study to complete.
Professional Degree
Professional Degrees are another category among the types of college degrees that are tailored to specific career fields and professional licensure.
A Professional Degree is a degree that is earned to prepare someone for a specific career that requires specialized knowledge and training. There are many different types of Professional Degrees, such as DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine), JD (Juris Doctor for law), or MD (Doctor of Medicine).
There are many types of Professional Degrees, but they all share a common focus on applying specialized skills within a specific professional field. This means that students will learn to apply the information that they have learned in the classroom to the real world. Most Professional Degrees require a minimum of two years of full-time study to complete.
Conclusion
We’ve explored the five main types of college degrees: an Associate’s Degree, a Bachelor’s Degree, a Master’s Degree, a Doctorate Degree, and a Professional Degree. Understanding these types of college degrees is crucial for students and parents alike, as they navigate the educational landscape.
Preparing for university shouldn’t be scary, and HelloCollege is here to help guide you or your student through the process every step of the way. If you are interested in learning more about the college admissions process, or about college life in general, check out more of our blogs and resources or contact us for a free consultation.
