What are the Different Types of Degrees?
You’ve undoubtedly encountered the tangled alphabet soup graduates list next to their names: AS, AA, BA, BS, BFA, MA, MB, MFA, PhD, etc. And you definitely wouldn’t be the first to feel both confused and intimidated by all of the alphabetical possibilities
Types of Degrees:
Certificates:
Try thinking of it in this simple metaphor: If we’re baking a 5-layer cake, certificates and diplomas would make up the first layer. They are typically a non-degree offering that rest just under an associate degree. They are often available in both vocational and technical fields and ypically take less than a year to complete and, because they focus on teaching a single skill, they can propel you quickly into a career.
Associate Degree:
An associate degree is a 2-year degree (when studying full-time) that is comprises a student’s freshman and sophomore years of college. This degree, as with most, is multifaceted depending on the field of study, branching off into a few different sections: Associate in Science (A.S.), Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.), Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.), etc...
Bachelor's Degree:
A bachelor’s degree, sometimes referred to as a baccalaureate degree, generally takes four or five years to complete. The course layout/program of study for this degree type typically includes all the required general education classes (such as English, psychology, history and math), major-specific classes required for your chosen degree and a handful of electives.
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS) is considered the most traditional college degree type.
Master's Degree:
A master’s degree, like most of the degrees we’ve covered thus far, can be split into a few different sub-categories depending on the chosen field of study: Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). The requirements for master’s degree programs can vary with each school and each chosen subject, but they all do require a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite.
Doctoral Degree:
A doctorate degree is considered the highes level of formal academic training and is . You’ve likely heard it referred to as a Ph.D, but that is simply in reference to a Doctor of Philosophy, which is a generic title that covers a wide range of fields including but not limited to English, Chemistry, Biology. Additionally there are other degree types such as Doctor of Engineering (D.Eng), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and more.
