We hear so much about college degrees! How will you choose yours? What really is the difference between them? How do they fit into your continuing education goals?
If you’re in the beginning stages of continuing your education, earning a degree, or thinking about a trade school certification, you’re hearing a lot about degrees. There are so many types…what’s the difference between the degree titles?
- Certification : A certification is granted for students demonstrating proficiency in a particular vocational program. A certificate requires 30 credits, which can usually be applied toward an associate’s degree.
- Associates Degree : An Associates degree requires completion of approximately 60 credit hours, and takes approximately two years to earn if you attend full-time at a community or junior college. Degrees can include technological and vocational specialties such as nursing, computer technology, or criminal justice that prepare a student for entry-level positions.
- Undergraduate/Bachelor Degree : An undergraduate degree is a professional degree that includes 120 credits consisting of a study of basic core instruction as well as theory and specialized study. Students must complete a significant number of their credits in their major study area, such as psychology, education, communications, or business.
- Graduate/Masters degree : This is a postgraduate degree that requires another 60 credits beyond the undergraduate level. This degree is granted for mastery in a particular area of professional study and the ability to demonstrate advanced critical thinking skills and analysis
- Doctorate : This is the highest academic degree, one in which the recipient has proven intellectual superiority in a chosen field and has shown significant promise toward continued scholarly pursuits.
For each of these, there are degree abbreviations. Hope you find this helpful!
