Which Degree Should You Choose?

Posted by Pam Sissons Apr 5, 2007

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!