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Types Of College Degrees
by Alison Cole
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College degrees have become one of the yardsticks by which people are judged at their jobs and in the society. When a person decides to further his education and grow in his career, a college degree can help. There are different types of degrees for different kinds of study.
When a student is looking to be trained for a specific job like a beautician, chef, welder or plumber, or develop a certain skill, certificate courses are an immediate option. Community colleges and technical/vocational colleges offer certificate courses. Some four-year colleges also offer certificate courses as well.
For those planning on entering a technical or vocational field, an Associate degree is useful. Associate degrees are usually earned in two years or less and are available at community colleges, technical and vocational colleges. A two-year program in the humanities and social science fields leads to an Associate of Arts (A.A.). Those pursuing studies in science are awarded an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree. Completion of a two-year technical or vocational program leads to an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree. Students also have the option of accumulating credits and working towards a Bachelor's degree.
Bachelor's degrees are also referred to as undergraduate degrees. These degrees are usually four-year programs. Students pursuing a Bachelor's degree have to also study general education courses, including english, math, science and social sciences. These students will chose a topic to focus on beyond all others, though, called a "major'. There are different types of Bachelor's degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S). The former are usually earned in the humanities and social science fields and the latter are awarded to those studying in scientific and technical fields. Some colleges offer additional degrees, such as a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) or a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.). A bachelor's degree is a stepping-stone to those working towards a Master's degree or a Doctorate.
Master's degrees are obtained at a graduate school and most programs take two years to complete. A Master's degree helps advance one's career because it implies a mastery of a subject or area of study. Those entering graduate programs are expected to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and complete specific undergraduate courses. Some of the most common Master's degrees are: Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), and Master of Education (M.Ed.).
A Master's degree is typically followed by a Doctoral degree. Attaining a Doctoral degree generally takes anywhere from three to five years or longer. Examples of popular Doctoral degrees are the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) and the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Graduate degrees in the fields of law, business and medicine are often referred to as professional degrees. The Juris Doctor (JD), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Doctor of Medicine (MD), are awarded upon the completion of Law, Business and Medical school respectively. Advanced degrees in other areas, such as journalism and architecture, are also referred to as professional degrees.
College Degrees provides detailed information on College Degrees, Online College Degrees, Types Of College Degrees, At Home College Degrees and more. College Degrees is affliated with Bachelors Degrees In Business Management.
Article Source: www.homehighlight.org
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