College Degree Types

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Certificates

Certificates can be earned at community colleges and technical and vocational colleges. Some four-year colleges may offer them as well. These programs are generally shorter, less than two years, and stress applied learning. 

These are not degrees. In terms of hierarchy, they are below the Associate degree. Technical and vocational fields of study sometimes offer certificates and diplomas. The length of these programs varies from a few months to two years.

Associate’s degree

Associate’s degrees can usually be earned in two years or less, and can be attained at all community colleges and some technical, vocational, and four-year colleges. If you complete a two-year program, you can earn an Associate of Arts (A.A.) or an Associate of Science (A.S.). A.A.s are usually earned in humanities and social science fields. A.S.s are awarded to those studying in scientific and technical fields. If you complete a two-year technical or vocational program, you can earn an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.). You may also have the option to use the credits from your associate’s degree toward a bachelor’s degree.

Degrees granted by a college or university after a student has completed a two-year program. Associate degrees carry a total of 60-74 college credits. The Associate Degree curriculum includes general education courses, specialized courses in your field of study, and elective courses.  These degrees are usually designed to prepare a student for a technical occupation.  Some credits for an associate degree are transferable to a four-year college or university, depending on the program.

Bachelor's degree

A Bachelor’s degrees are also referred to as undergraduate degrees, is earned almost exclusively at a four-year college or university.   They require that you take a core of general education courses, including English, math, science and social sciences. In addition, you will focus on one main subject area as your “major.” There are different types of bachelor’s degrees, such as the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.). B.A.s are usually earned in humanities and social science fields. B.S.s are awarded to those studying in scientific and technical fields. Some colleges offer additional degrees, such as the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) or the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.). A bachelor’s degree not only prepares you for a good career, but is also necessary if you plan to work toward an advanced degree, such as a master’s, doctorate or professional degree.

A degree granted by a college or university after a student has completed a four-year program. Bachelor degree programs carry a total of 120-132 college credits. There are a few Bachelor degree programs, such as Architecture, that are designed as five-year programs.

Master’s degree

Upon completion of your bachelor’s degree, you may choose to attend graduate school and pursue a master’s degree. A master’s degree can help advance your career, and may be required for certain professionals, such as physical therapists, engineers and social workers. Getting into graduate school is competitive. It usually requires that you take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and complete specific undergraduate courses.  Most master’s degree programs take at least two years to complete.

Doctoral degree

The doctoral degree is the highest degree awarded to students completing a specialized program.  It usually takes 3 years of additional study after receiving the Master's degree.   The Doctoral degree requires that original research be conducted and and dissertation written. 

Professional degree

Graduate degrees in the fields of law, business and medicine are often referred to as professional degrees. A professional degree generally takes two or more years beyond the Bachelor's degree to complete. Though the degree may contain the term doctor, a professional degree is the initial degree awarded in that area.

Teacher Certification

The is a program that leads to teacher certification and varies by state.  Each state sets its own certificate standards.  A teaching certificate usually involves three types of courses:

• general liberal arts courses
• the major (elementary education, mathematics, etc)
• professional education courses, including student teaching.

In most states in order to gain certification you must pass an achievement test in the field you plan to teach.