Current Guide to College Degrees, Certifications & Professional Studies (2023)

FAQs

What are the 4 types of degrees? ›

There are generally four categories of college degrees: associate degree, bachelor's degree, graduate degree, and doctorate or professional degree.

Certificate programs tend to focus on developing the core skill needed for a job. Degree programs cover a wide diversity of subjects and provide a broad depth of knowledge. They also often include classes outside of core requirements.

What is Professional Studies? The Bachelor of Science in Professional Studies is a degree-completion program designed for working professionals. This degree program is available in many concentrations and allows individuals to transfer completed college credits to finish their bachelor's degrees.

A doctorate degree typically takes anywhere from four to six years to complete. On average, a Ph. D. is earned within eight years. The length of time it takes to earn your doctorate is based on numerous factors.

Early childhood education is followed by primary school (called elementary school in the United States), middle school, secondary school (called high school in the United States), and then postsecondary (tertiary) education.

While certificates do not result in a degree, they are also awarded at undergraduate and graduate levels.

A certificate program can be a valuable investment if you are looking to gain in-demand skills and knowledge in a particular field. Depending on your field, earning your certificate can open doors to new job opportunities, promotions with increased salaries, and specializations in areas related to your job.

A degree in professional studies is worth it for many students. If life has interrupted your college goals, a degree in professional studies can help you get back on track toward earning your bachelors degree. As a college graduate, you may find additional career opportunities available to you.

What is a professional certificate degree? ›

A professional certificate program usually consists of focused training for a specific career, such as a health care technologist or auto mechanic. Alternatively, you can earn a certificate in an area that will bolster your existing career, such as security management or communications and media studies.

Professional Courses means providing students with industry-specific skills. A professional course provides students with practical skills. Students become job-ready after the course. In comparison, the goal of a degree course is to provide them with a strong academic foundation and expertise in a particular subject.

The Doctor of Divinity (DDiv) and the Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) are considered by Oxford to outrank all other degrees, including a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. The DDiv is usually awarded for academic accomplishments beyond the PhD level.

Doctoral degrees can take up to 7 years of intense study to complete.

At a glance. Academic degree levels in order are associate degree, bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctoral degree. Students may also earn certificates as academic credentials.

What degree is most useful? ›

There are three general types of certification. Listed in order of development level and portability, they are: corporate (internal), product-specific, and profession-wide. Corporate, or "internal" certifications, are made by a corporation or low-stakes organization for internal purposes.

Both degree and certificate programs teach candidates the knowledge and skills required to work in their field. While degrees are typically more extensive, certificate programs also prepare candidates thoroughly for their careers.

Employability: Certificate programs are usually more time- and cost-effective, but that is because students are exposed to fewer classes, leaving them with only a general knowledge of the subject. Associate degree programs, on the other hand, usually focus on more of an in-depth knowledge of a wider range of subjects.

While certifications are a cost-effective option, degrees offer a more well-rounded education. If you're looking to further your knowledge in IT-related fields, there are two paths to take -- certifications and degrees. Both paths have benefits, but they are certainly not the same.

Certificate programs can be more flexible and less costly than a traditional bachelor's or master's degree. You won't need to fulfill the general education requirements that are part of a traditional bachelor's degree program. And some certificate courses can later be applied to a bachelor's or master's degree.

Certificates Can Help Make Up for a Lack of Experience

If you're applying for new jobs, look at your resume like a hiring manager would. In some cases, adding a professional certificate could make up for a lack of real-life experience.

Which professional degree is best for future? ›

Similar to advanced academic degrees, like doctorates and certain master's, professional degrees are considered terminal degrees—or the highest degree you can achieve in an area. You can typically begin pursuing one after graduating with your bachelor's degree.

Certificates work! In the least amount of time, and for the least amount of money, they provide people with the right knowledge and skills to land a job. Employers are increasingly demanding professional certification in addition to a degree from college graduates.

The Professional Graduate Certificate in Education level 6 is also a stand-alone qualification for those wishing to become a teacher in the post-compulsory sector or an advanced pathway for those completing a Diploma in Education and Training level 5.

The five professional courses are MA, MBA, MFA, MJMC and LLB.

A professional degree helps students prepare for careers in specific fields, such as law, pharmacy, medicine, and education. The length of the programs vary and can span anywhere from one to five years, depending on the institution you attend.

The least regretted college majors, which graduates would choose all over again, are reportedly Computer and Information Sciences, Criminology, Engineering, Nursing, Health, Business Administration and Management, Finance, Psychology, Construction Trades, and Human Resources Management.

Business Administration. According to most sources, a bachelor's in business administration is the most commonly sought-after college degree among all majors. CollegeVine ranked it as their No. 1 easiest college major because the average GPA and ROI are high while the weekly workload is low.

What is the hardest degree to get in college? ›

What are the hardest degree subjects? The hardest degree subjects are Aerospace Engineering, Law, Chartered Accountancy, Architecture, Chemistry, Medicine, Pharmacy, Psychology, Statistics, Nursing, Physics, Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Astronomy, and Dentistry.

Reason #1: There are no age limits to PhD programs, nor is age a factor in selection. Many people believe that graduate programs have age limits or a bias against older applicants. This is completely untrue!

A doctoral degree (PhD) is a degree that one earns after a master's degree. A PhD entitles a person to use the title doctor.

Doctor comes from the Latin word for "teacher" and originally referred to a small group of theologians who had approval from the Church to speak on religious matters. Eventually the term saw greater use referring to qualified academic and medical professionals.

Bachelor's or 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).

Associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees vary in terms of prerequisites, lengths, and requirements. College degrees generally fall into four categories: associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral.

The No. 1 spot goes to electrical engineering and computer science. The early-career median pay for majors is $119,200 annually.

A doctorate degree is the highest traditional academic degree. Earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph. D.) or a Doctor of Education (Ed. D.)

The Doctor of Divinity (DDiv) and the Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) are considered by Oxford to outrank all other degrees, including a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. The DDiv is usually awarded for academic accomplishments beyond the PhD level.

What is the easiest degree to get? ›