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Given all the choices out there for degrees, it can be difficult to decide which is the right degree for you. You should learn more about the different degree types and what they mean to make things go easier. That leaves you with one less thing to worry about. One of the major differences between the different degree types is how long it takes to complete them. The fastest way to get a degree is an online certification, which can take just a few months. Bachelors degrees, on the other hand, can take up to four years. It takes even more time and money to earn graduate and doctoral degrees. Deciding the right kind of degree is right for you is an important first step in moving to the next level in your education journey.
ONLINE
CERTIFICATION
In order for high school graduates to obtain a broad range of new skills, online certification programs could be the answer to their needs. Obtaining such a degree affords more career choices, and gives graduates something that helps them stand out from everyone else. An online certification course can be found for every level of education, straight through to doctorate studies. Just about everyone can benefit from an online certification. Online certifications are also a great choice because they offer flexibility, allowing students to study when it suits them and their schedule. It can take just months to complete an online course. Every institution has their own options, with the credits one earns typically able to be put towards later college programs and different education courses. Some programs may come with additional licensing requirements, so ensure that you check for them before applying.
ASSOCIATE’S
DEGREE
An associate’s degree offers a fast and simple way to get a better education and improve job prospects in a certain field. An associate’s degree can be typically earned through community college or some similar private institution. It takes an average of 2 years to complete an associate’s degree, with the credits obtained during your study available to be used on a more complex degree if you take your studies to the next level. Associate’s degrees have become more popular in recent years, with the amount of these degrees awarded rising 37% since 2007. Many fields now require applications to have this kind of degree, which allows people to enter a broad range of areas including entry-level medical positions and business administration. Associate’s degrees also present a great way to begin your higher education career before moving towards a bachelor’s degree at a later date. All in all, having an associate’s degree makes you an appealing candidate on every level.
BACHELORS
DEGREE
Because of the versatility of bachelor’s degrees, along with the number of ways they can be used to develop further education and enter the job market, they remain the most popular course choice. A bachelor’s degree will typically last for four years, and shows employers an individual has gained a comprehensive education in their chosen field, which comes with a range of transferrable skills. Undergraduate degrees allow for a deeper understanding of the wider world, helping individuals become more confident in their daily lives. Bachelor’s degrees also have important implications on potential earnings. The American Community Survey reports that people with bachelor degrees earn roughly 2.8 million dollars more than those without such a degree. The ACS conducted further research in 2009 showing that around 1/3rd of bachelor degrees are in science and engineering, given that these fields have the highest average earnings.
Not everyone wants to work in these fields however, but luckily there is virtually limitless choice for those with specific goals. There are thousands of education institutions across the country with their own selections of bachelor’s programs. Students can choose the major study that best suits them. Knowing what you stand to gain from each degree is essential for choosing the right one for you.
BACHELOR OF ARTS (BA)
A BA develops effective communication skills, while also developing deeper levels of critical thinking and understanding how the different disciplines are connected. This course covers social sciences, humanities, and the arts. A prime example of a Bachelor of Arts degree is a BA in English.
BACHELOR OF ARTS AND SCIENCE (BAS)
A BAS degree is an uncommon choice, with not many American educational institutions offering them. This is a degree program that combines certain elements of the BA and BS to give students a broader understanding of fields including natural and social sciences as well as mathematics. Degrees in cultural and diversity studies are considered a form of BAS.
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (BBA)
A BBA program affords students the chance to hone their business-related skills such as management, HR, and business law. It also typically gives students the chance to explore specific interests in more detail and study general classes.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BS)
The BS degree is built around making use of problem-solving and analytical skills to developer a deeper understand of a core subject. These courses encompass engineering, mathematics, computer science, and natural sciences.
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (BFA)
As you can surmise by the name, a BFA degree gives students the chance to focus on inherent talents including art, music, and dancing. A BFA typically includes combining studies of the arts with general studies.
BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY
A BT provides an excellent complement to technical and vocational backgrounds, as well as being the ideal next step after an associate’s degree. BT courses supplement an existing education through internships, supervised practice, and work-study courses. A BT program emphasises practice over theory. No matter what kind of bachelor’s degree one is studying for, a university will typically require 120 completed credit hours before awarding the degree. After a student reaches sixty hours, they will often be required to choose their major. Bachelor’s degrees can be used to get to the next step in your career, or as the start of further education, such as master’s degrees.
MASTERS
DEGREE
A master’s degree gives students the chance to build on the knowledge they gained through undergraduate studies, while also focusing studies on a particular aspect of their chosen field. Graduate students might continue to study the same subject studied at the bachelor level, or they could decide to get a master’s degree in an entirely different subject. If they go for the latter choice, they may need to take more courses and classes at the undergraduate level before they can be accepted on a master’s course.
With employers demanding more specialised workforces, master’s degrees offer the best way or employees to show that they have the skills and knowledge needed to succeed with their chosen field. Master’s degrees offer higher average incomes, as well as allowing people to progress faster through their chosen career path. With a master’s degree, one has all the tools needed to deal with any challenge they face while working.
It takes at least one and a half years of studying to obtain a master degree, but the average length of a master’s degree is two years. Almost every field of study that has a bachelor’s level education offers a master’s degree. The courses are often taught through a mixture of classes and conferences. They often require students to complete and then defend a lengthy thesis of their research findings.
It can take significant financial investment to earn a master’s degree, which is why there are many loans and grants on offer for students through public and private bodies. It is vital for a student to discuss and think about the different funding options they have with the related personnel with your college. This way, you can be sure you know how you’ll pay for your master’s degree.
DOCTORATE
DEGREE
A doctorate degree is the highest level of education in any field. It’s because of this that doctorates are also considered “terminal degrees”, since they take one’s education to the very furthest possible limit.
It takes a very long time to obtain a doctorate; often between 90 and 120 credits are needed before students can submit their doctoral dissertation; which is similar to the master’s thesis. Different courses and institutions will require different amounts of credits, with some also requiring internships or practicum instead of dissertations.
It takes a very long time to obtain a doctorate; often between 90 and 120 credits are needed before students can submit their doctoral dissertation; which is similar to the master’s thesis. Different courses and institutions will require different amounts of credits, with some also requiring internships or practicum instead of dissertations.
THERE ARE FOUR TYPES OF DOCTORAL DEGREES
PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE
A professional doctorate is awarded to students who carry out applied research, or use their research as a way to advance professionally. Professional doctorates are typically offered for fields where research as in important aspect of careers within the field, such as psychology, medicine, and law
HIGHER DOCTORATE
Some countries – particularly European countries – offer students the chance to reach a higher level of doctoral education. This degree is earned through a formal portfolio of previously published research. They are awarded to those who contribute more to their field than those with regular doctorates.
RESEARCH DOCTORATE
Students can obtain research doctorates after obtaining master’s degrees. Research doctorates are awarded on the basis of research published in a peer-reviewed journal. The most common form of research doctorate is the PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy.
HONORARY DOCTORATE
Individuals that endlessly contribute to their field, or are particularly charitable, may sometimes be awarded honorary doctorates without the need for lengthy study at a university. The honorary doctorate is given to these individuals to recognise their hard work and achievements.
Whether you are studying online or with a campus, you will almost definitely need to have a master’s degree or something equivalent to gain access to a doctorate program. However, there are exceptional circumstances in which a school could allow students to pursue doctoral studies as soon as they finish an undergraduate course.