List of higher education degrees?

College and Degrees
by Dr. Virginia Y. Cox

The first college degree one might obtain after high school is an Associate of Arts, or Associate of

Science degree, or a similar Associates degree. This is a two year degree and is frequently offered at community colleges, though four year colleges may also offer associates degrees. An associate’s degree is not necessary in order to enroll for a bachelor’s degree program.

The four year college degree is a Bachelor degree: it may be a Bachelor of Arts Degree, a Bachelor of Science Degree, a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, a Bachelor of Music degree, or other Bachelor of …. Degrees. The degrees require different coursework. For instance, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry is different, in terms of the coursework, than a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. A Bachelor of Arts degree is a “liberal arts” degree. That means that your coursework has been more general, that you have a broader background with more “arts” courses out of your major than if you are seeking a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry (which will have more “science” or "technical courses.”) The same will hold true of all BA/BS degrees. Bachelor of Arts (in any offered field) is a broader, more liberal education. Each of the degrees has merit.

The degree one typically receives after the Bachelors degree is a Masters degree. Note: the actual degree title is Master of Science or Master of Arts, etc.; however one speaks of having a Master’s degree in…… The Masters degree programs are typically two years of study post baccalaureate (after Bachelor) degree. There are, however, some unique programs that allow

you to complete a master’s degree in less than two years.

The degree which typically follows the Master’s degree is a doctorate. There are different doctorate/doctoral degree designations. There are the “professional” degrees such as the MD (Medical Doctor), JD (Law degree), DDS (Dentist) PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy), and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), EDD (Doctorate of Education) DS (Doctor of Science), DMA (Doctorate of Musical Arts), and perhaps other designations.

The MD requires four years of medical school after a Bachelor’s degree. That will be followed by a residency of three to five or more years to focus on a specialization. There may also be additional training required for certain specializations. The JD (Law degree) is typically three years of full time study after a Bachelor’s degree. The DDS (Dentist) degree is generally four years after the Bachelor degree, though certain

subspecializations may take longer. The Pharm D, pharmacy doctorate is typically a four or five year program. The Ph.D. is a degree whereby the recipient is trained to do research and to teach. The Ph.D. is required for certain governmental positions and is an educational requirement at most institutions of higher learning (i.e., colleges and universities) for their faculty. The Ph.D. typically requires three to five or more year’s of full time work after the Master’s degree. The Ph.D. typically requires writing a dissertation, which has traditionally been original research in the field of study.

Doctoral study is planned to combine regular courses, special seminars, independent study and

supervised research and supervised training to promote knowledge in the major field.

The Ed.D. is a frequently pursued degree for individuals wishing to have the credentials for

administrative public school jobs, certain college teaching or administrative positions. The degree

requirements are typically less research oriented than the Ph.D.

Often continuing education is required for licensure in some of the above programs.

Above retrieved from http://www.wvu.edu/~careersc/PDFs/CollegeandDegrees.pdf

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