Navigating Higher Education: A Comprehensive Guide to Different Types of Diplomas
Earning a college degree is widely recognized as a pathway to enhanced career prospects and personal enrichment. Research consistently demonstrates that individuals with college degrees experience higher lifetime earnings and lower unemployment rates compared to those with only a high school diploma. Beyond monetary advantages, higher education fosters transferable workforce skills and promotes more active citizenship.
The landscape of higher education offers a diverse array of options, ranging from concise credentials like badges and certificates to a comprehensive spectrum of college degree levels. However, it's crucial to recognize that specific jobs or fields often favor or mandate particular credentials. Therefore, prospective students must conduct thorough research to align their educational pursuits with their desired career paths. For example, aspiring air traffic controllers typically require at least an associate degree, while those seeking a career in dentistry must attain a professional degree, such as the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.).
Lynn Pasquerella, president of the American Association of Colleges and Universities, emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, stating that students "should go into college knowing that there are opportunities to move on and that learning is a lifelong process." She highlights the impact of rapidly changing technology and evolving life circumstances, noting that "there's always an opportunity to use the education that they've earned as a foundation for more education and greater career opportunities, or just for a more fulfilling life."
This guide provides an overview of college degree programs, spanning from associate to professional degrees, to assist students in making informed decisions about their educational journeys.
Associate Degrees
Associate degrees are commonly offered at community colleges and some universities. A full-time student can typically earn an associate degree - which generally requires 60 or more credit hours - in two years. Colleges offering associate degrees may have limited or no on-campus residential options. Degree options include Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) and Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.).
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Brian Troyer, dean of undergraduate admissions at Marquette University in Wisconsin, notes that "often individuals are working toward an associate degree with the long-term goal of earning a four-year degree." However, he emphasizes that "associate degrees are often degrees that lead to a successful career in a particular field. They provide outstanding training in a very specific discipline."
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 49% of Americans between the ages of 25 and 29 had an associate degree or higher in 2021. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also provides data on employment and earnings for associate degree holders.
Pasquerella highlights that associate degrees are "usually a very good return on investment because they are inexpensive to begin with" and "targeted toward career preparation."
Bachelor's Degrees
A full-time student can typically complete a bachelor's degree within four years, although the duration may vary by program. Bachelor's degrees - offered at four-year institutions and a small number of community colleges - generally require 120 credit hours, though some programs may require more or fewer. Colleges offering bachelor's degrees are often associated with more traditional residential settings, but commuter and online options are also available. Bachelor's degree types include Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) and other specialized designations.
Joe B. Whitehead, Jr., provost and senior vice president of academic and student affairs at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, explains that bachelor's programs provide "more of a broad-based approach in taking classes in different subject areas, building both knowledge and skill, as well as critical-thinking and problem-solving skills." He adds that "some are more professionally oriented, like a degree in business or engineering."
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NCES data indicates that 39% of Americans between the ages of 25 and 29 held a bachelor's degree or higher in 2021. A 2021 report from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) found that a bachelor's degree was worth nearly $2.8 million in median lifetime earnings in 2019. BLS figures from 2021 show that unemployment rates were significantly higher for American workers age 25 and over with a high school diploma and no college (6.2%) compared to those with a bachelor's degree (3.5%).
Master's Degrees
A master's degree is often pursued after completing a bachelor's degree. However, direct enrollment in a master's program after graduation is not always necessary. Experts recommend that students first assess the requirements for achieving their career goals and the rationale behind pursuing a particular degree. If an advanced degree is essential for meeting job qualifications, students may consider accelerated combined degree programs, often called 4+1 programs, which allow them to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in five years instead of six.
Mildred García, president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, suggests that proceeding directly into a master's or doctoral program may be advantageous for students already focused on academic pursuits. However, she notes that gaining work experience in a relevant field before committing to a master's degree may be more beneficial in other cases.
Credit hour requirements vary by graduate school, but most master's programs require at least 30 credit hours. A master's degree typically takes two full years to complete, and students often need to submit a final project or thesis to graduate. Common master's degrees include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Science (M.S.). An MFA is considered a terminal degree, representing the highest degree attainable in that field.
According to NCES data, 9% of Americans between the ages of 25 and 29 had a master's degree or higher in 2021. Georgetown's CEW research indicates that average lifetime earnings for a master's degree recipient in 2019 were $3.2 million.
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Doctorate Degrees
García describes a doctorate as a research-based degree "intended to develop specific academic skills, like how to design, conduct and analyze research activity."
Earning a doctorate - the highest traditional academic degree - is a demanding and lengthy process, typically requiring three to seven years (or more) of study. Candidates can choose from various types of doctorates, most commonly the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Doctoral candidates are generally expected to conduct research and write a dissertation, although some programs may not require an extensive research paper.
Pasquerella explains that "dissertations are publications that showcase a body of work over the students' graduate career." She adds that "to get a Ph.D, you often have to pass comprehensive exams - which test you over the first two years - and qualifying exams to qualify to write a thesis. And then you have the thesis itself, where you have to demonstrate that you are making unique and distinctive contributions to the field through your research."
Georgetown's CEW found that average lifetime earnings for doctoral degree holders were $4 million in 2019, with median weekly earnings of $1,909 in 2021, according to BLS data.
Professional Degrees
Professional degrees are required for licensure in fields such as medicine and law. Aspiring attorneys typically attend law school to earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, which usually takes three years of full-time study. To become a licensed lawyer, graduates must also pass the bar exam in their respective jurisdiction. Prospective doctors attend medical school to earn a degree such as Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) or another degree specific to their field. Medical degrees typically take four years to complete, followed by a residency program - a period of supervised training to apply classroom knowledge in a practical setting. Residency programs vary in length depending on the specialty, ranging from three to seven years.
Georgetown's CEW found that individuals with professional degrees have lifetime earnings exceeding $4.7 million, with average annual earnings of $117,500 - 68% higher than those with a bachelor's degree.
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