What type degrees are there in college

An undergraduate credential that focuses on skills for a specific career. Some careers may also require a license. An additional certification, often requiring an initial licensing exam and continued education in the field.

Average time to complete: Varies. It may take more training beyond a certificate, Associate degree or Bachelor's degree. It may take additional training beyond a Bachelor's degree. Community colleges are open to everyone with a high school diploma or GED. Tuition rates are usually the lowest among all types of colleges. Most community colleges do not offer housing. Entrance requirements vary, depending on how selective a college is.

Public universities offer in-state tuition so residents pay less than out-of-state students. Private colleges usually have higher tuition rates, but they may be able to offer more financial aid.

Funding type: Public, Private not-for-profit, Private for-profit. Colleges that offer specialized programs focusing on a specific career. More and more employers now seek applicants with a master's degree. There are over one hundred different types of master's degrees in the United States. The most common master's degrees are the Master of Arts M.

The M. Other popular master's degrees include:. A doctoral degree is a graduate degree, somewhat similar to a master's degree. However, where most master's degrees take two years to complete, a doctoral degree may take anywhere from two to six years to complete. The prerequisite for most doctoral programs is a master's degree. There are a few doctoral programs that will also accept students with a bachelor's degree as long as they meet other admission criteria.

A doctoral degree is referred to as a "terminal degree" when it is the highest degree that can be earned within a particular field of study. Most doctoral programs are challenging, rigorous, and require a full-time commitment. Historically, doctoral degrees have been academic and research focused. Today, most doctoral programs focus on helping students acquire advanced skills sets and knowledge to prepare them for a specific occupation or specialty.

Another common graduate degree is the professional degree. A professional degree is a graduate degree that is a prerequisite to becoming licensed to work in a specific field. The most common examples of professional degrees include medical degrees required to become a medical doctor and law degrees which are required to practice law. Professional degrees are also offered in several other fields, including psychology, finance, business and engineering.

A bachelor's degree is the standard prerequisite to entry into most professional degree programs. A few professional degree programs require a master's degree. Professional degrees are also known as "First Professional Degrees". A specialist degree is a graduate degree that professionals pursue after completing a master's degree. Specialist degrees serve two purposes. They allow professionals to obtain additional expertise and knowledge in a specific discipline.

They also provide professionals with industry level certification required for state licensure. In the public school system, a principal is often required to obtain an Ed.

An Ed. College Degrees Guide: List of College Degrees Earning a college degree is still the most reliable way to improve your career opportunities and earning potential. Undergraduate Degrees When people loosely refer to a "college" degree, more often than not they're referring to a four-year, undergraduate bachelor's degree. Transfer Degree Students often pursue an associate degree for one of two reasons.

Associate Degree Associate degrees are two-year undergraduate degrees awarded by community colleges, vocational schools, and a small number of four-year colleges and universities.

Accty Bachelor of Comptrolling B. Bachelor of Library and Information Science B. Graduate Degrees A graduate degree is an advanced degree that focuses on a specific academic field of study or professional discipline ie. Master Degree A master's degree is a graduate degree students often pursue following the completion of a bachelor's degree. There are several reasons to earn a master's degree. The four most common types of doctoral degrees include: Professional Doctorate - The professional doctorate is designed to help students gain advanced skill and knowledge in preparation for a specific profession.

The Doctor of Business Administration DBA , for example, is a popular professional doctorate degree designed to prepare students for careers in business. Research Doctorate - As its name suggests, the research doctorate focuses on research. Students who earn a research doctorate typically go on to perform research in academia, for government, or in the private sector. The Ph. College degrees generally fall into four categories: associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral.

Each college degree level varies in length, requirements, and outcomes. Each college degree aligns with students' different personal interests and professional goals. Understanding college degree levels can help you decide which degree will meet your needs, while potentially saving you time and money.

Most undergraduate degrees span four years or less. Graduate programs can run from 12 months to 10 years. College degrees have unique prerequisites, curricula, requirements, and outcomes, all of which vary by level. Typical Length of Time to Complete years. Typical Required Credits 60 credit hours. Typically offered by community and technical colleges, an associate degree includes roughly two years of coursework.

Depending on the discipline, students may also complete practical requirements. Internships and practicums are common in healthcare and technology programs. Applicants need at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

Some schools may require individuals to submit test scores for admission. While advancing your education can have significant economic impacts, each career has its own unique job requirements and there are often benefits to remaining in the workforce while working toward a college degree.

Many companies offer tuition assistance programs, for example, that can help pay for more advanced degrees. Danielle Gagnon is a freelance writer and marketer focused on higher education. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

In today's competitive workforce, it can pay - literally - to advance from an associate to bachelor's degree. Learn more about the career and salary growth you could experience with a bachelor's degree. There are many factors to consider when choosing which path is for you, including time commitment and cost. Two of the most popular types of credentials are degrees and certificates, and each can be significant in helping you achieve your goals. What are the 4 Types of College Degrees? September 20,