College Degrees What’s The Difference?
In today’s society, it is becoming clearer why continuing your education is a necessity. It is well known that there isn’t much a high school diploma can assist with aside from gaining you entrance into a college so that you can gain a higher education and become equipped to work in the field you desire to make a living in.
With so many different degrees, how do you decide which is best for you? That is the dilemma many potential students, traditional and nontraditional end up facing. Here’s all you need to know about the different types of degrees and how they can benefit you and your future.
The Associate’s Degree
The Associate’s Degree is the undergraduate degree that most students begin their college venture with. Whether or not they are aware of their option to opt out and pursue the Bachelor’s Degree (the next degree level up), this degree is perfect for:
* Students who wants to get a feel for college
* Students who aren’t sure what they want to do for a career
Yet, it can end up being a waste of time. Today’s accelerated programs allow students to aim high and start out in a Bachelor’s degree program.
The Associate’s degree typically takes two years to complete but many students find out that their Associates degree can be quickly obtained but often doesn’t help them get their foot in the door at places of employment, as higher degrees are becoming more and more in demand.
Associates degree’s requirements vary from school to school, but common requirements are:
* 60 credit hours
* General education courses and electives
* Basic education courses of their chosen field (if any)
Students may take courses similar to those taken in high school because of the basic nature of this degree. The major options are generally more limited when seeking an Associate’s degree and those available are usually in common fields, such as medical assistants.
The competition will be plenty when you enter the working world with just an Associate’s degree in hand, and the jobs available with this level of degree will also be limited.
Still, if you are genuinely interested in a particular field and want to obtain a certificate quickly, this degree may be best for you.
The Bachelors Degree
The bachelor’s degree is the next level up in undergraduate degrees and typically takes four years to achieve. For most students, that four years is shortened through accelerated programs made available online. Some benefits of this degree include:
* More major options
* The difference between finding a job and not finding a job in your chosen career field
* A guarantee of higher wages
Studies show that those holding a Bachelor’s degree made more than triple the earnings of those holding a high school diploma.
Companies are willing to pay for the knowledge you demonstrate through holding a Bachelor’s degree. Fewer students go on to obtain this degree and that will set you apart when it comes time to interview for positions in your field.
Earning your Bachelor’s degree also allows you more field options as there are so many fields requiring this level of degree to obtain employment or become licensed.
Consider the benefits of a Bachelor’s degree and weigh your options, it is likely this degree is suitable for you no matter what your career goal.
The Masters Degree
The Master’s degree is the next degree up after achieving a Bachelor’s degree. This graduate degree continues where the Bachelor degree left off and takes students deeper into their career field.
Still, a Bachelor’s degree alone is usually all that is required to get your foot in the door at a place of employment and earn a nicer than normal living.
Pursuit of this degree adds another two years to your college journey, sometimes more and sometimes less, depending on your enrollment status (part time or full time). This degree’s benefits include:
* Getting that promotion
* Staying up to date in your field.
Today, some jobs require a Master’s degree of their employees, and even go as far as helping with funding for college to make sure these requirements are met.
The PhD
The doctoral degree is the highest level of degree achievable and follows the Bachelor and Master’s degree programs. Typically, earning a doctoral degree takes eight years, but again, it can take less time. Some facts about this degree are:
* Bachelor’s degree must have already been obtained to pursue this degree
* Usually requires full time attendance
* Extremely field focused (with students getting plenty of hands on experience and often students are already working in the field but seeking further advancement)
* Students often attend field specific schools to obtain this degree
* Highest income earning potential
* Least common and in some cases, least necessary degree
While some students simply decide to continue their college education until they have achieved each degree possible, few pursue the doctoral degree and understandably so.
It is often only sought after by students who plan to work in high profile career fields, such as university professors. So, while a doctoral degree certainly looks good, it is often unnecessary and may prove completely irrelevant depending on your chosen career path.
The Real Degree of Difference in Degrees
The truth about degrees is that they help you to excel to different levels in your chosen field. With each new paper in hand, you show the working world you are more knowledgeable and therefore more capable.
The biggest pay off of years invested in school is the money that is there to be made upon graduating and entering the work force. The majority of individuals who continue on to higher degrees are concerned with making the bigger bucks and they do just that.
Accelerated programs now make it even easier to obtain these degrees more quickly, whether you are a new student fresh out of high school or an adult returning to school to continue your education.
Online classes make it simpler than ever to go back to school for advanced degrees because of their lack of time constraints and flexible nature. Whatever degree you decide to pursue, remember it will help you to:
* Become indispensable at your current jobs and locate jobs more easily
* Stay up to date with the latest information in your field and ultimately earn more income.
About the author
Visit the author Barbara Pearson at www.Distance-Learning-Counselor.com where she freely shares her knowledge about online college degrees and online colleges. See her top recommendations.Tags: college degree