Certificate and diploma: are non-degree offerings below the
associate degree and are most often offered in technical and vocational fields of study.
They generally lead to employment in an occupational field. Examples - Certificate
in Office Admin. Bookkeeping, Certificate in Automotive Technology. (These programs
generally require a minimum of 50 credits).
Associate Degree: two types of associate majors are offered. (1)
Technological and vocational specialties that are generally completed in 2 yr. of college
study and are usually sufficient for entrance into an occupational field, and (2) college
or university parallel programs that are like the first 2 yr. of a 4yr college curriculum
often referred to as a Transfer Degree. Examples - AS Degree in Accounting, AS
Degree in Paralegal Studies. (These programs generally require a minimum of 90 credits).
Bachelor’s Degree: sometimes called baccalaureate degrees,
generally require 4 to 5 yr. of study. The bachelor of arts (BA) and bachelor of science
(BS) are the most common baccalaureates, and both include general education courses, a
major and electives. The BS is more likely to be awarded in the sciences and for
professional or technical fields of study. BA degrees are more often awarded in the
humanities and arts. However, there are no absolute differences between the degrees, and
policies concerning their award vary from college to college. (These programs generally
require a minimum of 180 credits).
Master’s Degree: Master of arts (MA) and master of science
(MS) programs lead to the customary first graduate degrees in the liberal arts
and sciences and usually take one to two academic years of study beyond a baccalaureate
degree to complete.
Doctorate Degree: may be the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.), awarded in
many of the humanities, arts, and sciences, or another doctoral degree such as the doctor
of education (Ed.D), or doctor of public health(DPH). Doctoral programs usually consist of
course work and independent research culminating in a dissertation or other formal
presentation of the results of independent study. Student must have already received
a baccalaureate degree.
First Professional Degree: are defined as requiring at least two
academic years of previous college work for entrance and a total of at least six years of
college work for completion. The degrees awarded upon completion of these programs are:
