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| SchoolAtlas
Academic Resources |
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| About
College
Degrees
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| A
college education is an attainable goal for every
student. However, every student should know his or her options when deciding which route to
pursue. More importantly, every student should know how our college system works, and how
this organization best suits them. Below you will find a brief synopsis of the most
popular degrees offered by schools.
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| What is an
Associates
Degree? |
What is a
Bachelors
Degree? |
What is a
Masters Degree? |
What is a Ph.D.? |
Associates
Degree
Associates Degree (A.A.)
An Associates Degree, also known as a "two-year degree", is just that: a
basic college degree that can be earned in approximately two years (if attending
full-time). Education coursework here tends to be general, such as college-level mathematics (i.e.
algebra and calculus), composition (writing and literature), basic sciences, and the
humanities (history, etc.).
In general, an Associates Degree has two tracks: Associate in Science and
Associate
in Arts. The former is usually more specific in its purpose, and may lead one directly
into employment in a particular field. Examples of A.S. programs might include veterinary
technician, dental hygienist, or legal secretary.
An Associate of Arts Degree (A.A.), on the other hand, is usually the first part
of a Bachelors Degree. Put another way, an Associate of Arts degree is a diploma
for your first two years in college. An A.A., alone, signifies only a basic college
education; this is contrary to an A.S., where a specific skill is learned.
Most
people who receive an A.A. go on to get their Bachelors degree.
Most Associates Degrees are awarded at junior or community colleges. A
community college is a school designed to give students only the first two years of a
college education, after which the student transfers to a college or university
to finish up their degree. Once at the college or university, the student will combine
their general education learned at the community college with a more specific field--this
is known as choosing a major.
(Note:Community colleges are a very popular and effective way to get your first two
years of college. In addition to being less expensive, these schools tend to offer more
personalized attention--and this is especially important during your first two years.)
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Bachelors
Degree
Bachelors Degree (B.A. or
B.S.)
A Bachelors Degree, also known as a "four-year" degree, is awarded at
both colleges and universities. Once a student has chosen a major--that being the subject
they want to pursue into a career--then a four year institution will have a set curriculum
that everyone must go through in order to be awarded a diploma in that field.
For example, if you decide that you want to be an electrical engineer, then a
college or university will have a set "program" that will lead you to a degree
in engineering.
Link here to get more information on majors
(Including what types of classes you would have to take).
In addition to this, you should be a aware that many fields, such as law, medicine, and
even education, call for a degree beyond a Bachelors--this is known as graduate school
(see below).
In either case, a Bachelors degree is the most common credential, and a most viable way of
gaining healthy employment.
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Masters
Degree (M.A., M.Ed., MBA)
A Masters Degree is a Graduate Degree. What this means is that one is
(usually) extending their education beyond their Bachelors Degree. Depending on the
subject, a Masters degree can mean many different things. But on most occasions, what you
will find is that someone specializes in one or two areas within their field. For
example, the person who gets a Bachelors Degree in electrical engineering, and then goes
on to get a Masters, might be a specialist in semiconductors, robotics, or a host of other
subfields in the engineering profession. Likewise, a person who gets a
Bachelors Degree in history, might return to get a Masters Degree in Latin American
history.
In general, a Masters curriculum is challenging, and in many cases the programs are highly
selective. Also, it is very common to sum up one's degree by the completion of a Thesis.
This is usually a scholarly research paper ranging from 40 to 150 pages.
It is safe to say that the more advanced degree one is pursuing, the more specialized
their course of study becomes. This is emphasized even further in the acquisition of a
Ph.D. (below).
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Doctorate/Ph.D.
A Ph.D., also known as a Doctorate, is considered a terminal degree. What
this means is that this is the last degree that one can earn in a particular field. In
most cases, a Ph.D. is the culmination of a very long academic career (after an
Associates, after a Bachelors, and after a Masters, respectively!!). Like the Masters, the
Ph.D. track is characterized by intense specialization and even more intense research. At
this level, students are expected to conduct very advanced--perhaps groundbreaking--
studies. Also, it is common to culminate one's Ph.D. curriculum by publishing a dissertation.
This is a research "paper" describing whatever it is the student in question has
researched in the course of his graduate study. In general, a dissertation may take
several years to write, with pages numbering well into the hundreds.
Once one has acquired this credential, they are referred to as a "Doctor" (not
to be confused with a Medical Doctor) Most university professors, and many
professionals in advanced positions (school principals, scientists,
etc.) hold PhDs.
Evidence suggests that the acquisition of a Ph.D., in general, requires
enormous financial and emotional investment. It is important that one consider seriously their returns on such an arduous
investment. Indeed, one should expect at least eight years of school to get this
credential; and employment, depending on the field of specialization, may be scarce.
But then again, people will refer to you as a Doctor, and that makes
it all worth it!!!
To find out more please click here
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