What is the order of diplomas?

Answer 1

The question, as worded, is almost unanswerable. "Different kinds of diplomas from where?" might be a good clarification question. "And what does the questioner mean by 'kinds'" might be another. That said, in the US, the word "diploma" is used in two common ways: One use is as to signify an academic or professional credential level. When so used, the lowest level would usually be a certificate, then the next highest would be a diploma, then the next highest would be a degree. And of course, there can be both undergraduate and graduate levels of all three. They can be in almost any subject or professional area, depending upon what subjects are taught by the institution awardiing them. Another use of the word "diploma" is as to describe, simply, the sheet of paper or parchment onto which the official evidence of a degree is printed. One earns a bachelors degree, and for that he or she is given a diploma. In the British educational system, a "diploma" can be a level of exit (or an "exit point") from a higher-level degree program. For example, if one embarks on a three-year bachelors degree, but only completes the first year thereof, he or she may be permitted to exit the degree program with a "certificate." If he or she completes two years of the three-year-long degree program, then he or she may be permitted to exit therefrom with a "diploma." And then, of course, if he or she completes all three years of the three-year-long degree program, he or she earns a degree. In all three cases, however, the actual document handed to them at graduation, with the fancy lettering on it, and the seal of the school, and all the official signatures... that document may also be called the "diploma" document. Sometimes when new colleges starts up, depending on the state in which it's located, it may not be legally allowed to issued actual degrees until it has been in business for a few years, and has achieved accreditation by an agency approved by the US Department of Education (USDOE) or the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). During those years, the credentials the school may issue are sometimes called "diplomas" or "certificates" or both. In some cases they'll even be called something like "bachelors-level diploma" or something like that in order to indicated that it's basically a bachelors degree, but the law won't let the school actually call it that yet because the school isn't yet accredited. Public and private career colleges that are either not authorized or accredited to offer actual degrees (or which choose not to as an ethical consideration) may offer, instead, career certificates and/or diplomas in such such specialty areas as medical or dental assisting, or medical technology, or medical transcription, or medical billing, or automobile mechanics, or landscape design, or pharmacy technology... those sorts of things. Such schools may or may not be accredited by any USDOE- or CHEA-approved agency; and when they're not, the person seeking to enroll should beware. Of course, not all unaccredited careeer schools are a rip off, but some are. Certificates and diplomas from accredited career schools are always a safer bet. Without more clarification from the person who asked the original question, it would be difficult to write much more on this subject.

Answer 2

Typically, there are four levels of college degrees. They are as follows from lowest to highest.

• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters
• Doctorate (highest level of academic attainment)

The associates and bachelors are referred to as undergraduate coursework. Refer to the below.

Associates Degree

The associate's degree is designed as a two year program of study as a full-time student provided the student takes the degree as prescribed by the college. There are some programs of study that may take a bit longer depending on the number of credits required. Usually these are programs within the health related fields. In addition, for students who require developmental course work as a result of basic skills testing, it would take longer. How much longer would depend on the extent of the developmental courses they are required to take. Evidently, those individuals who attend college on a part-time based would also extend their time in school. How much longer would depend on the credit load carried each semester. Typically, an associate's degree takes between 60 and 64 credits to complete depending on the specific school, program of study, and state mandates.

Bachelors Degree

A bachelor's degree in most areas can require between 124 to 128 college credits particular to a specific program of study. This would be based on a college or university that operates on a regular two semester academic year which is the most common. For institutions that operate on a tri-semester or quarter-semester it would be quite different. That being said, the Bachelor's degree - in most cases - is designed as a four year program of study, provided the student is full-time and follows their chosen program of study as prescribed by the college or university, and also provided the individual does not require prerequisite or developmental course work. The minimum credit load for a full-time student is no less than 12 credits per semester. However, to complete the degree within the four years, a credit load of approximately 15 to 18 credits is recommended. For individuals who work or who have other responsibilities that would prohibit them from attending full-time, completion of the degree may take twice as long. Still, some of this time can be cut down by attending summer sessions and/or interim sessions. In addition, the bachelors and associate degrees are referred to as undergraduate degrees with the Masters and Doctorate degrees referred to as graduate degrees.
The masters and doctorate degrees are referred to as graduate level coursework and typically particular to a specific field of study or profession.

Masters Degree

A master's degree can range from 30 to above 70 required credits depending on the specific program of study. The degree can take between two and three years to complete. The degree type covers most subjects and can be course based, research based, or a combination of both.

Doctorate Degree

The doctorate is considered the highest level of educational attainment and in most cases specific to one field of study. The degree typically requires a minimum of 60 credits plus a dissertation (which requires original research). The degree can take approximately four years to complete post bachelors degree.