In higher education, degrees are compulsory qualifications
that attest to the expertise and knowledge of a person in a specific
discipline. The types of academic degrees include associate, bachelor, master,
and doctorate degrees, each type being useful in various ways leading to
distinct occupations. Knowledge of these degrees and procedures for attaining
them will assist individuals in making sound decisions concerning their
educational and career aspirations which we will discuss in detail.
1. Associate’s Degree
Associate degree is an undergraduate program degree that
normally takes two years to complete and is usually offered by community
colleges, technical colleges and some universities. It offers basic learning in
particular subject areas, and is usually undertaken by learners who wish to
attain immediate employment or advance to a bachelor’s degree program.
How to Earn an Associate Degree
To earn an associate’s degree, one needs to complete a set
of mandatory courses in his or her area of specialization. It usually lasts for
two years of full-time study but may take longer if the student is studying
part-time. It is common for students to take two years of college education,
get an Associate’s degree and then transfer to a four-year institution to
finish a Bachelor’s degree. These programs are normally provided by community
colleges, which means that they are more flexible and cheaper than traditional
four-year institutions.
Types of Associate's Degrees
i. Associate of Arts (AA): Specialized in teaching
general education courses, typically, humanities, social sciences, and liberal
arts courses.
ii. Associate of Science (AS): Specializes in courses
in mathematics, sciences and other technical subjects.
Career Opportunities
An associate’s degree can help you obtain a fresh start and
get a job in healthcare (e.g., nursing assistants, medical technicians),
information technology (e.g., computer support specialists), and
business-related fields (e.g., sales managers, administrative assistants).
2. Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s certification is an undergraduate degree of
four years duration offered by universities and colleges. To most career paths,
it has become the norm of formal education and is the qualification usually applied
for when seeking a promotion in most organizations.
Types of Bachelor’s Degrees
i. Bachelor of Arts (BA): Consists primarily of liberal
arts, humanities, and social science programs. Some examples include English,
history, psychology, and sociology among others.
ii. Bachelor of Science (BS): Specialises in placing
emphasis on technical subjects such as Science and Mathematics. Some of the
fields that these degrees may apply to include biology, engineering, computer
sciences and mathematics.
How to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
To be awarded a bachelor's certification, students have to
complete a program that consists of prerequisites, major courses and other
optional courses. A full-time bachelor’s program will take you four years to
complete. Some universities also have fast-tracked programs so that students
can complete them in less time. Students need to achieve a specific GPA and
have to fulfill internships or capstone projects based on the study course.
Career Opportunities
A bachelor’s certification offers a versatile opportunity to
find a job in various fields, such as business management, education,
healthcare, IT, and arts. For instance, students with a BA in marketing can
become marketing managers while those who have a BS in computer science can
work as software engineers or IT specialists.
3. Master’s Degree
A master’s certification is a postgraduate academic degree
that usually takes a student about one- three years to complete after receiving
the bachelor’s certification. It offers students more information in a specific
area of the discipline, and career development for students desiring to be
leaders in their companies or industries.
Types of Master’s Degrees
i. Master of Arts (MA): Most commonly given in
disciplines like humanities, social sciences, and some fields of education.
ii. Master of Science (MS): These are mostly given in
technical disciplines like engineering, biology and computer science amongst
others.
iii. Master of Business Administration (MBA): A
postgraduate qualification that aims at preparing candidates for higher-level
jobs in management.
iv. Master of Fine Arts (MFA): A degree program suited
for students in creative and artistic fields including writing, acting, and
art.
How to Obtain a Master’s Degree
To acquire a master’s certification, you need to possess a
bachelor's certification in the same subject area and complete master-level
coursework, research activities or internships. Generally, students who pursue
a master’s certification are expected to write a thesis or do a project, which
will prove that they understand the content of the course. Master’s program is
normally undertaken with some specific academic requirements and working
experience standards.
Career Opportunities
A master’s certification can lead to higher-paid jobs and
more complex job openings in the concerned field. For instance, an MBA enables
people to transition to managerial positions, while a master’s certification in
education or counseling is necessary for one to get a license to practice as a
counselor or school administrator.
4. Doctoral Degree (PhD)
A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is the terminal degree offered
in various fields of study and is the highest academic credential an individual
can earn. This normally takes between three and seven years to accomplish
depending on the course of study. A doctoral certification is provided to
students, who offer some research findings or enhance the existing knowledge in
a certain field.
Types of Doctoral Degrees
i. Doctor of Medicine (MD): Their core duty demands
that they act as medical doctors.
ii. Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD): Needed to operate as
a lawyer in numerous countries.
iii. Doctor of Education (EdD): Concentrated on the
management of schools and educational legislature.
How to Acquire a Doctoral Degree
To be awarded a doctorate degree, you must have previously
obtained a master’s degree and in some cases, you can apply directly with a
bachelor’s degree. The doctoral process involves enhanced curricular work,
tests, and the writing and submission of a dissertation, extensive research
that enriches the knowledge of the subject matter area which is a major
original research that brings new knowledge to the discipline.
Career Opportunities
Having a PhD you can work as a professor and researcher or
can obtain a top-level job in the government or business world. While most PhD
holders are employed as professors, researchers or consultants, others perform
policy and development functions in different fields.
Conclusion
Every type of academic degree has its primary purpose and
helps people develop personally and professionally. An associate program
prepares students for many entry-level positions while a bachelors program lays
the foundation for any career. A master’s program adds specializations on top
of existing knowledge and helps with career promotion, while a doctorate
program grants people expertise and authority in their disciplines. One of the
reasons why it is important to understand the types of degrees and how you can
attain them is to enable people to make the right decisions concerning their
education and the type of careers they wish to pursue.
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