Understanding University Degree Diploma Types

When planning your educational future, it's important to consider all the steps between you and your goals. College degree levels progress in terms of academic achievement. It's also important to consider each degree type's time and financial requirements, and a given degree's impact on your career prospects.

College Degree Levels

College degree levels can be broken down into two categories: undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees. Here are the college degrees in order from lowest ranking to highest:

Associate degree (undergraduate)
Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate)
Master’s degree (graduate)
Doctoral degree (graduate)

While a doctorate is the highest education level, some fields may stop at a master’s. The phrase “terminal degree” refers to the highest degree in a field.

Associate Degrees

Associate degrees are known as a 2-year degree and are the first degree you can obtain beyond completing a high school diploma, or equivalent. An associate degree is an education level beyond a high school diploma but not yet to the level of a bachelor’s degree. Typically, associate degrees are two-year programs (or 60 course hours) offered in community colleges and technical colleges.

Types of Associate Degrees

There are two main types of associate degrees: Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Arts (AA). Colleges can offer three kinds of associate degrees:

Associate of Arts (AA)
Associate of Science (AS)
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

An AS degree can prepare you for jobs available across many industries, including marketing, information technology and accounting. Both AA and AS degrees can provide an entry point into a field of study. Arts, humanities, and creative fields typically offer an AA, whereas social sciences and natural sciences often award an AS. Many applied and vocational programs offer an AAS degree. The type of degree matters if you’re planning to transfer into a bachelor’s program. Colleges normally offer fewer transfer credits for an AAS degree.

AAA and AAS degrees are similar to the other associate degrees but tend to incorporate a more hands-on experience in the classroom and specialized courses. They are designed to provide practical skills and knowledge that students can use in the workforce.

Benefits of an Associate Degree

There are great benefits and opportunities that come with starting with an associate degree. For example, earning an associate degree can have a significant economic impact. If you’re unsure about starting a bachelor’s degree program, earning an associate degree is a great way to kickstart your education and enter the workforce before enrolling in a more advanced degree. An associate degree is a good option for those who want to earn a degree in a shorter time and aren’t ready for a four-year program.

An associate degree can also serve as the foundation for a bachelor’s program. You may even be able to transfer some of the credits you earned for your associate degree toward a four-year degree. Some associate degrees require you to complete an internship or practicum in addition to taking classes. This is particularly common among healthcare and tech degrees.

To apply for an associate degree program, you’ll need a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED certificate. Some schools may require you to submit standardized test scores, such as ACT or SAT scores, as well.

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Career Opportunities with an Associate Degree

An associate degree prepares you for vocational, allied health, and support roles. For example, you can become a medical assistant, paralegal, or vet tech with an associate degree.

Popular Associate Degree Jobs

Dental Hygienist
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Web Developer
Computer Network Support Specialist
Respiratory Therapist
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant
Paralegal
Health Information Technologist
Veterinary Technician

Popular Associate Degrees

Accounting
Business Administration
Business Management
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Cybersecurity
Early Childhood Education
Education
Graphic Design
Healthcare Management
Information Technology
Marketing
Medical Assisting
Medical Billing and Coding
Pre-Nursing
Psychology
Social Work

Bachelor's Degrees

If you're looking for work, chances are you've noticed that a common prerequisite for employment in many fields is the completion of a bachelor's degree program. Bachelor’s degree programs provide in-depth knowledge and skills across a wide variety of potential career paths to help you stand out in today’s competitive job market. A bachelor's degree is a 4-year undergraduate degree and is the second level degree that can be obtained.

A bachelor's degree is typically designed to take about four years to complete, though students sometimes take longer. In a traditional four-year bachelor's degree program, students take general education classes primarily during their first two years of schooling. These classes are meant to give students a broad base of knowledge outside their specialization. Many students choose to satisfy their general education requirements by taking these classes at a community college. Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Bachelor’s degrees offer a broad variety of subjects - more than any of the other levels of college degrees. You may choose from arts and sciences, business, psychology, and studio art, to name a few.

A bachelor’s degree is a four-year program (or 120 course hours) offered by colleges and universities. You’ll complete general education courses along with classes in your chosen major. You can also add a minor, which is a secondary area of study. Bachelor’s degrees are widely seen as essential for many professional careers. You can earn your bachelor’s degree online as well. An online degree from an accredited college meets the same standards as an in-person degree. You’ll need a high school diploma for admission and may also need to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Bachelor's degrees provide graduates with a firm understand of concepts related to the field of study. Bachelor’s degrees like a Bachelor of Science (BS) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) offer more opportunities to focus your learning on a specialized area of study.

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Types of Bachelor's Degrees

There are many types of bachelor’s degrees you can earn, depending on what your major is and what your school offers. Some of the most common types of bachelor’s degrees you’ll see include:

Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA)
Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.)
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Each of these programs of study will come with a different designation, such as the two most popular levels of bachelor’s degrees - B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) or B.S. A Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree covers all arts studies, including anthropology, communications, French, music and politics (to name a few). A BA represents completing an undergraduate program that focuses on a discipline in the arts or humanities.

As opposed to the more philosophical nature of a BA that focuses on the humanities, a Bachelor of Science tends to focus more on technical and scientific areas of a discipline. If you have a specific academic focus and career path in mind and aren't as interested in learning about other liberal arts subjects, then a BS program may be more aligned with your goals.

Career Opportunities with a Bachelor's Degree

In diverse industries like business, tech, and education, a bachelor’s degree can prepare you for many entry-level careers. Some of the highest-paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree include roles in finance, management, and tech. Graduates with a four-year degree can also benefit from thehigh demandof many well-earning fields, like software development and engineering.

Popular Bachelor’s Degree Jobs

Software Developer
Mechanical Engineer
Microbiologist
Technical Writer
Registered Nurse
Human Resources Specialist
Special Education Teacher
Graphic Designer
Social Worker
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor

Popular Bachelor’s Degrees

Business Administration
Business Management
Civil Engineering
Communication
Computer Programming
Computer Science
Counseling
Criminal Justice
Education
English
Film
Finance
Graphic Design
Health Informatics
Health Sciences
History
Human Resources
Information Technology
Marketing
Mathematics
Nursing
Organizational Psychology
Political Science
Public Policy
Social Work
Supply Chain and Logistics

Master's Degrees

Earning a master’s degree can be a great way to position yourself for growth in your desired field. A master's demonstrates expertise in a subject area. A master’s degree is an advanced degree obtained after a bachelor’s, typically requiring 1-2 years of additional study (or 30 course hours).

A master’s degree can help you gain specialized skills and qualify for higher-paying roles. As a graduate student, you’ll work closely with experts in your field to explore advanced topics. While a master’s degree typically takes two years, some universities offer accelerated one-year master’s programs. You can also enroll in a bachelor’s-to-master’s program to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time.

Most master’s programs require students to complete a minimum of 30 credits. Admission and graduation requirements vary depending on the program. For example, many arts and sciences master’s programs require GRE scores, while business programs typically require GMAT scores.

Types of Master's Degrees

Master’s degrees, like Master of Science (MS) or Master of Arts (MA), are available across a wide variety of subjects. Here are some of the most common types of master’s degrees you can earn:

Master of Arts (MA)
Master of Science (MS)
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Master of Laws (LL.M.)
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Master of Public Health (MPH)
Master of Public Policy (MPP)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Master of Social Work (MSW)

Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs are among the most well-known master’s degree programs, with opportunities to study finance, accounting, international business, criminal justice, information technology management and more. An MA and an MS are among the most popular master’s degrees. Humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences fields typically award an MA or an MS. Other popular options include an MBA and an M.Ed.

Classes in a master's degree program are more rigorous than in a bachelor's degree program. The class sizes tend to run on the smaller side compared with undergraduate classes, and they might emphasize group discussions with instructor guidance instead of instructor-led lectures. Each type represents a specialization within a field, whether that be an MPH for public health or an MSW for social work. While the curriculum, rigor, and requirements of each master's program differ, they commonly require a bachelor's degree in the field of study or a related field.

Career Opportunities with a Master's Degree

With a master’s degree, you can qualify for management-level careers and specialized roles in a field like healthcare, research, and social services. The highest-paying master’s degrees include MBAs and nurse practitioner degrees.

Popular Master’s Degree Jobs

Physician Assistant
Nurse Practitioner
Political Scientist
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Marriage and Family Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Economist
Speech-Language Pathologist
Statistician
Historian

Popular Master’s Degrees

Business Administration
Communication
Computer Science
Counseling
Creative Writing
Criminal Justice
Data Science
Economics
Education
Engineering
Finance
Healthcare Administration
Health Informatics
History
Human Resources
Information Technology
Library and Information Science
Marketing
Network Security
Nursing
Political Science
Psychology
Public Health
Public Policy
Social Work
Supply Chain Management
Teaching

Doctoral Degrees

Completing a doctoral program isn't just a feather in your cap. As the level of attainment is so high, these types of degrees expect a lot from prospective students. Doctoral degrees can take up to 7-years of intense study to complete. And, according to Talbot, after completing doctoral degree coursework, you could potentially need to sit for comprehensive subject matter exams.

In many fields, a doctorate is the terminal degree. There are a few different types of doctoral degrees you can earn. Professional doctorates train you for a professional career. For example, law school and med school are two common professional paths. A Ph.D., on the other hand - the most common type of doctorate - emphasizes theory and research.

In a doctoral program, you’ll take graduate-level seminars and courses, take comprehensive exams, conduct original research, and defend a dissertation in front of a faculty committee. Most applied doctorates take 3-5 years to earn, while a Ph.D. typically requires 4-6 years of study, if not more. In certain fields, you can earn your doctorate online. Some doctoral programs require a master’s degree for admission, whereas others admit applicants with just a bachelor’s degree. You may need to submit standardized test scores depending on the program.

Types of Doctoral Degrees

Most doctoral programs require students to have already earned bachelor's and master's degrees. A dissertation is at the heart of any doctoral program. A final project of sorts, a dissertation requires doctoral students to conduct research, present their conclusions to faculty in their program, and defend those conclusions. A doctorate is the highest education level, but there are still several types of doctoral degrees. Here are some of the most common ones you can get:

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
Juris Doctor (JD)

The most commonly known and recognized doctoral degree is the Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD. Despite the name, these degrees are not exclusively conferred on students of philosophy. Less focused on applying learned skills in the marketplace, research in a PhD program is focused on enriching and furthering knowledge in a specific field. Original research is often a requirement for graduation in this kind of program. In contrast to PhDs, other doctoral degrees focus on practical applications within a specific industry, similar to the difference between a BA and a BS.

Career Opportunities with a Doctorate

If you want to become a physician,professor, or lawyer, you’ll need a doctorate. In many fields, a doctorate translates into higher salaries. Lawyers, pharmacists, and physicists all report median salaries of over $125,000 per year, according to the BLS.

Popular Doctoral Degree Jobs

Physician or Surgeon
Dentist
Physicist or Astronomer
Pharmacist
Lawyer
Veterinarian
Physical Therapist
Psychologist
Postsecondary Teacher
Audiologist

Popular Doctoral Degrees

Business Administration
Criminal Justice
Curriculum and Instruction
Education
Educational Administration
Educational Leadership
Finance
Human Resources
Human Services
Information Technology
Legal Studies
Management
Marketing
Nursing
Organizational Leadership
Psychology
Public Administration
Public Health
Public Policy
Social Work

Choosing the Right Degree Level

Knowing the types of college degree levels can help you feel better equipped to plot out your educational future. Which degrees you choose and how many you decide to earn throughout your career depends on your goals. Many people also decide to change careers at some point, which may mean earning a different degree or level of degree.

The right degree level for you depends on your specific career goals, interests, and circumstances. For some careers, an associate’s or bachelor’s degree is enough. For more specialized career paths, you’ll need a master’s or doctorate. You should also think about what’s practical for you right now. Look at each degree’s time, cost, and commitment and decide if it’s worth the investment. Choosing a degree that aligns with your career path while being realistically achievable is key. It’s also completely reasonable to want to earn a degree that will pay off.

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