Navigating Higher Education: An Overview of Professional University Degrees
Choosing the right college degree is a pivotal decision that can significantly shape your future career path and earning potential. The landscape of higher education offers a variety of options, each with its own distinct focus and purpose. Among these options are associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees, and doctorate or professional degrees. Understanding the nuances of each type of degree is crucial for making an informed decision that aligns with your academic and professional aspirations.
Understanding the Different Types of College Degrees
The world of higher education offers a diverse range of degree programs, each designed to equip students with specific skills and knowledge.
Associate Degree
An associate degree is a two-year undergraduate degree typically offered at community colleges, technical colleges, and career colleges. Some four-year universities offer this degree as well. Examples of associate degrees include Associate of Arts (AA) and Associate of Science (AS). Individuals with two-year degrees earn, on average, about 20% more a year compared to individuals with just a high school diploma.
AS degrees are generally narrowly focused and prepare students for science and math-related careers. AA degrees are broader and focus on fields outside of math and science such as liberal arts, business administration, criminal justice, and culinary arts. Some students who earn an associate degree transfer to a four-year program to earn a bachelor’s degree. Others complete associate degrees and then go straight into the workforce.
Bachelor's Degree
Most undergraduate students at four-year colleges and universities pursue a bachelor’s (also known as baccalaureate) degree. Bachelor’s degrees require students to complete four- or five-year programs in a specific academic discipline. The two most common types of bachelor’s degrees are Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS). Other types of bachelor’s degrees include the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), and Bachelor of Architecture (BArch).
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Because bachelor’s degrees train students to enter a specific field, many professional careers require them. Earning a bachelor’s degree can open the door to many job opportunities and increase your potential income. Individuals with a bachelor’s degree, earn, on average, over 60% more a year compared to individuals with a high school diploma.
Some institutions offer a liberal arts and career combination program, also called a 3-2 program. This is a type of dual degree in which a student completes three years of liberal arts study followed by two years of professional or technical study. In the end, students earn two bachelor’s degrees, usually a BA and a BS. An example of this is Columbia University’s 3-2 Combined Plan program in which students can earn a BA and a BS in five years. Some colleges also let you earn a teacher certification by combining bachelor's degree study with state certification requirements. State requirements vary, but these programs usually feature professional education courses, including student teaching.
Graduate, Professional, and Doctorate Degrees
Graduate degrees are advanced degrees that some students pursue after earning a bachelor’s degree. The two most common are Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS). Other examples include Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Master of Business Administration (MBA). A graduate degree is like an extension of a bachelor’s degree in which a student enriches their knowledge of their field and narrows their focus of study.
Graduate degrees usually take around 2 additional years to attain, but this can vary based on the degree. Many institutions allow students to enroll in a graduate program in a field unrelated to their bachelor’s degree. This may require some extra credit hours, though. The doctorate and professional degrees signify mastery of a subject and often come with the title “doctor.” Although the 2 are similar, there are some important differences.
Diving Deeper into Professional Degrees
A professional degree is an application-oriented degree, meaning it prepares students for a specific working position. Examples are Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), and Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD) in the field of medicine, and Juris Doctor (JD) and Doctor of Judicial Science (SJD) in the field of law. A graduate degree doesn’t need to precede a doctorate or professional degree. Often, students will go straight into a doctorate or professional program following their bachelor’s. However, some programs will require a master’s degree to gain entry. Completion can take anywhere from four to eight years, depending on the field of study.
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Many doctoral students work either full time or part time while they study in the program. This, along with the field they are studying, will significantly affect the time it takes to complete their degree.
Definition and Purpose
A professional degree, formerly known in the US as a first professional degree, is a degree that prepares someone to work in a particular profession, practice, or industry sector often meeting the academic requirements for licensure or accreditation. Professional degrees may be either graduate or undergraduate entry, depending on the profession concerned and the country, and may be classified as bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees.
Professional degrees typically have a curriculum focused on practical skills and knowledge needed for a specific profession. The coursework often includes hands-on training, internships, and practical experience. Certain professions require specific professional degrees for entry and practice. For example, one must obtain a JD to become a licensed attorney. An MD or DO is required to practice medicine.
Historical Context
The first doctorates were awarded in the mid twelfth century to recognise teachers (doctors) in mediaeval universities, either in civil law at the University of Bologna or in theology at the University of Paris. These were followed shortly afterwards by doctorates in canon law, and then in the thirteenth century by doctorates in medicine, grammar, logic and philosophy.
The first university medical school to be established in the United Kingdom was at the University of Edinburgh in 1726, followed in 1744 by the University of Glasgow. In 1817, Glasgow became the first British university to offer a separate degree in surgery, the Master of Surgery. However, other Scottish universities - St Andrews and the two universities in Aberdeen - also offered medical degrees, often in absentia and without examination, despite not having medical schools.
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In England, the two universities (Oxford and Cambridge) were only sporadically interested in medical teaching, which was mainly carried out in the London hospitals. It was not until the establishment of the University of London in 1836, however, that students at the hospital medical schools could earn degrees. Following the passing of the Medical Act 1858 and the establishment of the General Medical Council, Scottish graduates gained the right to practice in England and degrees in both medicine and surgery became the norm. The Scottish practice of awarding the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) as a first degree was abolished by the university commissioners appointed under the Universities (Scotland) Act 1858, it being replaced by the Bachelor of Medicine and Master of Surgery (MS), with the MD becoming a higher degree as in England.
The first university in England to offer training in theology for those intending to become priests in the Church of England was the University of Durham in 1833, following the lead of colleges such as St Bees Theological College and St David's College, Lampeter. Anglican theological colleges partnered with local universities to offer professional degrees in theology and ministry during the twentieth century.
Legal studies in England were mainly confined to the Inns of Court until the late nineteenth century. The only undergraduate course was at Cambridge and concentrated on Roman civil law rather than English common law; in terms of employment, that the bishops accepted it as equivalent to a B.A. for ordination was more useful than the legal training it provided, and it was generally seen as an easy option for those who couldn't cope with the mathematics on the B.A. course. Cambridge reformed its course in 1858, and London established an undergraduate course a few years later.
In the latter part of the twentieth century, many chartered bodies introduced educational requirements for their chartered professional statuses, most notably the Engineering Council requirements for Chartered Engineer.
The Bachelor of Medicine, or M.B., was the first medical degree to be granted in the United States and Canada. The first medical schools that granted the M.B. degree were at the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University. Columbia University was the first American university to grant the M.D. degree in 1770, although, as in England, this followed the M.B. (which was the qualifying degree) and required completion of a thesis.
Professional societies started licensing doctors from the 1760s, and in the early nineteenth century started setting up their own medical schools, known as proprietary medical colleges, the first being the medical college of the Medical Society of the County of New York, which opened March 12, 1807. These eliminated the general education and long lecture terms of the university schools, making them much more popular. Without effective regulation, abuses arose, and national conventions in 1846 and 1847 led to the establishment of the American Medical Association. This new body set the first nationwide standards for M.D. The M.D. was thus the first entry-level professional degree to be awarded as a purely trade school "doctor" degree in the United States, before the first European-style doctorate, the Ph.D., was awarded by an American institution in 1861, although the M.D. was not established as a post-baccalaureate degree until much later.
The President of Yale, Arthur Twining Hadley, stated in the early 20th century that: "However convenient it might be to insist on the possession of a bachelor's degree by all pupils in the schools of law or medicine, I feel that it would be a violation of our duty to these professions to hedge ourselves about by any such artificial limitations." This changed (for medicine) after Abraham Flexner's damning report into the state of medical education in 1910: by 1930 almost all medical schools required a previous liberal arts degree before starting the M.D.
Law degrees were introduced in the US by the College of William & Mary in 1792, with its "Batchellor of Law" (sic) (L.B.) degree. This was followed by the "Graduate of Law" at the University of Virginia in 1829, which became the first American LL.B. in 1840. The J.D. was introduced by the University of Chicago in 1902, with the same curriculum as the LL.B. but requiring a previous B.A. or B.S. for entry. The J.D. spread, but encountered opposition, and Harvard, which imposed graduate entry as a requirement for its LL.B. course in 1909, and Yale used the name for their post-LL.B. degree, elsewhere called the LL.M. By the 1930s, when most law schools had shifted to graduate entry, the standard degree was once again the LL.B. In the late twentieth and early twenty-first century, other professions, particularly in clinical fields, transitioned their professional degrees to doctorates, following the example of the M.D. and J.D.
Examples of Professional Degrees
There are several different types of professional degrees, each of which is designed to prepare you for a different career.
Doctor of Medicine (MD): A Doctor of Medicine is awarded to those who want to pursue a career in medicine or surgery. Those who receive an MD typically earn a lucrative salary, which varies depending on the specialization.
Juris Doctor (JD): A Juris Doctor is a professional degree that prepares students for a career practicing law. If you’re considering a career in law but don’t want to be a practicing lawyer, earning your Master of Legal Studies might make more sense for your goals.
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD): A Doctor of Pharmacy is a degree for individuals interested in working in the pharmaceutical industry. PharmD programs typically provide opportunities in research, teaching, clinical practice, and other key areas within the pharmacy industry.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM): Doctor of Veterinary is a four-year professional program. This degree is preceded by three to four years of pre-professional study.
Doctor of Education (EdD): A Doctor of Education is a degree for educators and professionals who want to direct and implement change within their organizations. EdD programs typically combine exploratory research with comprehensive coursework.
Master of Public Health (MPH) and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH): The Master of Public Health (M.P.H. degree) and the Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) are multi-disciplinary professional degrees awarded for studies in areas related to public health. The M.P.H. degree focuses on public health practice, as opposed to research or teaching.
Professional Studies Degrees
A professional studies degree program is designed to give students the knowledge, training, experience, and skills to become successful in a professional career. These degrees offer more than just classroom lectures and tests; they provide practical skills and techniques that can be used immediately in the workplace. Pursuing a professional studies degree is an excellent choice for any student looking to blend traditional academic disciplines with a custom education. Whether you’re acquiring additional knowledge to strengthen your current skill set or seeking the flexibility of mixing courses from different departments, this type of degree can give you the skills to thrive in today’s job market.
There are plenty of career opportunities available with a professional studies degree. Whether you want to pursue a career that involves research and analysis or use the degree for an executive role, your professional studies degree will give you the tools to achieve those goals. You will develop knowledge in practical skills, such as communication and project management, that can be adapted to many different types of work environments. For example, graduates with a professional studies degree can pursue careers in business and management, healthcare, social work, hospitality management, digital media and communications, education, and more.
The University of Cincinnati’s new Bachelor of Arts in Professional Studies (BPS) program offers a unique education experience designed for working professionals seeking professional growth. “We want UC to be the place adult learners go when they are seeking all levels of educational opportunity and career advancement. We want corporations and non-profits to see UC as a key partner in developing their workforce and organizations. “Professional studies” refers to the breadth of topics covered in the curriculum of this program. This includes a wide range of practical skills employers seek in their candidates. This makes a professional studies degree highly applicable for graduates seeking to apply their knowledge to the professional environment. It doesn’t stop there. The Bachelor’s in Professional Studies program is customizable according to each student’s goals. Most of the students entering this program are working adults who already have some college credits, and this program is built specifically for them.
Admission to the Bachelor’s in Professional Studies is accessible for a wide range of backgrounds due to the adaptability of the general education included in this degree. Students entering the program must have at least a high school diploma or GED. It is also recommended that a student have at least four years of life experience upon applying to the program. For transfer credits, the University of Cincinnati’s transfer credit policy will apply to the types of credits accepted. The Bachelor’s in Professional Studies curriculum requires 120 credit hours to graduate. Of those 120, over 60 can be earned through credits awarded through transfer or life experience credits.
Every student entering the professional studies program must take the foundation course for their first semester: PD2180: Foundations. The content of this highly involved course is part of the Professional Development section. It consists of in-depth self-evaluation assignments where students will demonstrate skills from their past life experiences, discuss their previous college experience and transfer credits, and identify their unique career plans. After completing these assignments, the rest of the student’s education track will be outlined based on their goals and how many credits they will need. Upon completing the foundation’s course, a student could qualify for all 18 Co-Op credit hours and fast-track their path to graduation by skipping these courses! This depends on what the student can demonstrate in the self-assessment portions of the course. Beyond the life experience credits, a student’s previous college experience can qualify for the Elective Courses section. After the foundation’s course, as many credits as possible will be identified as qualifiers for the 48 elective credits needed.
Professional vs. Academic Degrees
Many people don’t realize that there’s a difference between professional and academic degrees because the terms are often used interchangeably. More often than not, these two degrees complement each other. However, the main difference between the two can be exerted in the fact that an academic degree prepares students for research-oriented careers.
An academic or research degree focuses on a specific field of study and is often more research-oriented than professional programs. Academic degree programs often require a thesis or capstone project in order to graduate. Many degrees can be classified as academic degrees. Depending on the industry you work in, earning one can help enhance your career by giving you the knowledge and skills you need to advance within your organization.
At the bachelor level, the distinction between the two is less obvious. Whether to pursue a professional degree or an academic degree depends on your career goals and personal interests. Both types of degrees have their own merits, and the choice ultimately depends on your aspirations and the industry requirements.
It is possible to transition between professional and academic degrees, but it often requires additional study or training. For example, someone with a professional degree in engineering might pursue a PhD in a related field to engage in research or academic teaching. Academic degrees can impact advancement, particularly in research-focused or specialized industries, while professional degrees are often required for career progression in certain fields.
Joint Degrees
Some students may choose to pursue a joint degree, also known as a dual degree, which means they simultaneously study for a bachelor’s degree and a graduate degree. Joint degrees can be pursued in the same college or can be split between two different colleges. For example, Berklee College of Music and Harvard University offer a dual bachelor’s/master’s program in which a student receives a Bachelor of Arts (BA) at Harvard and a Master of Music (MM) or Master of Arts (MA) at Berklee. Depending on the program, it may be possible to study at the same time for a master's degree and a doctorate. A master's student is called a graduate student or “grad student” for short.
Professional Degrees in the International Context
In medicine, individual countries specify rules for recognising foreign qualifications; in the US, for example, this is carried out by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and in the UK by the General Medical Council (GMC). The Australian Medical Council, US ECFMG, UK GMC, Medical Council of Canada, Danish Health and Medicines Authority, and Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation jointly sponsor the World Directory of Medical Schools. At least one state in the US, Wisconsin, permits foreign graduates to use the title "MD" if licensed to practice in the US. The state of New York grants an M.D.
In engineering, the Washington Accord (1989) recognised that the academic training (i.e., professional degrees) for full professional status (Professional Engineer, Chartered Engineer, European Engineer, etc.) is equivalent in the signatory countries. Similarly the Sydney Accord (2001) recognises similar academic training between signatories for Engineering Technologists, Incorporated Engineers, etc.
The Evolving Landscape of Professional Degrees
In the late twentieth and early twenty-first century, other professions, particularly in clinical fields, transitioned their professional degrees to doctorates, following the example of the M.D. and J.D. In the 1990s there was also some debate in the architectural community about renaming the professional degree in architecture a "doctorate".
The spread of professional doctorates raised concerns about the standards of the new degrees, particularly in cases such as physical therapy, where the standard set by the American Physical Therapy Association for the doctorate is the same as that for the master's degree. Critics have claimed that these degrees should not be called doctorates, pointing out that a Ph.D. takes an average of twelve years from the start of college, compared to five and a half to eight years for professional doctorates, while defenders of the new professional doctorates have said the point of comparison should be the M.D.
Among the professional degrees in the United States, one particular form was the graduate-entry first-professional degree, often denominated as a doctorate. Chiropractic (D.C. Dentistry (D.D.S. Law (LL.B. Podiatry (Pod.D. Theology (M. Div., M.H.L., B.D., or Ord.
Since 2011, the classification "doctor's degree - professional practice" has been used for "[a] doctor's degree that is conferred upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, credential, or license required for professional practice." As with the "first professional degree", this classification also requires that the total time in higher education is at least six years. The Department of Education does not define which fields professional doctorates may be awarded in, unlike with the "first professional degree". A distinction is drawn in the United States between professional doctorates and "doctor's degree - research/scholarship", with the latter being "[a] Ph.D.
Professional Degrees in Canada
Professional degrees are considered undergraduate degrees in Canada and are recognized by Statistics Canada as degrees that lead to entry-to-practice professions. They generally require an undergraduate degree prior to admission; however, some professional degrees may be direct entry after secondary schooling, such as social work, nursing, midwifery, and education. This includes older degrees that retain the names of bachelor's degrees for historic reasons, e.g., the Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S.; M.B., Ch.B.; etc.), Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S.), and Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.S.), and newer integrated master's degrees such as the Master of Engineering (M.Eng.), Master of Optometry (M.Optom), or Master of Pharmacy (M.Pharm.). In some subjects, qualification can be via separate bachelor's and master's degrees, e.g., a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) followed by a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Engineering, or a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Architecture followed by a year of professional experience, then a two-year Master of Architecture (M.Arch.). In some subjects the normal professional degree is a bachelor's degree, e.g., the Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) or B.A. in Law (for both solicitors and barristers) or a B.Sc. in Surveying.
It is common for professional qualification in the UK to require professional experience in addition to academic qualification. In addition to initial professional degrees, some professional master's degrees and most professional doctorates, e.g., the Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Engineering (Eng.D.) and Doctor of Agriculture (D.Ag.), are offered for those already established in professions. Some professional degrees are designed specifically for trainees or members within a particular organisation, rather than being available via general enrollment. Examples of these include the Church of England's Common Awards with Durham University and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants' B.Sc.
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