Higher education in the United States ranges from the basic bachelor's degree to more advanced levels of study. Familiarizing yourself with each type of degree will help you plan for the future.
Undergraduate Degrees
Undergraduate degrees, or bachelor's degrees, are designed for students who have completed high school but don't hold a college diploma. Bachelor's students receive a broad education with one or more concentrations, also called majors. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) are the most common undergraduate degrees. The B.S. typically encompasses a science or trade, such as biochemistry or journalism. B.A.s focus more on the humanities, such as linguistics and sociology.
A bachelor's degree broadens your options for employment. For instance, someone with a B.A. in music could work as a teacher, critic, or disc jockey, to name a few. Furthermore, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that individuals with a bachelor's degree earn nearly double the salary of those who do not graduate from college.
Undergraduate degrees take approximately four years of full-time study to complete. Transferring universities, changing majors, or taking a light course load can lengthen the time it takes to earn your degree.
Graduate Degrees
Graduate school is appropriate for students who hold a bachelor's degree and wish to do advanced study in a particular field. In the United States, certain professionals must hold a graduate degree, including teachers in many states.
Several types of graduate diplomas exist, including the master's, doctoral, and professional degree. A master's program takes one to three years to complete; it usually comprises specialized coursework and a research project, called a thesis.
Those with a master's degree may go on to obtain a doctorate, which is the highest level of academic achievement. Doctoral programs last three or more years; candidates must research a topic in depth and successfully defend their findings before a committee of experts.
Professional degrees, which may be obtained immediately after undergraduate studies, are appropriate for specialized fields including medicine and law. Some colleges offer a combined undergraduate/graduate degree, allowing you to obtain both degrees in less than the usual amount of time.
Those holding a graduate degree earn up to four times more money than people with just a high school education, the Census Bureau reports. People with doctorates or professional degrees are considered experts in their field; they are sought after as authors, public speakers, and college professors.
For more information on the types and benefits of U.S. college degrees, visit these Web sites:
Wikipedia provides detailed explanations of the various types of U.S. degrees.
The U.S. Census Bureau breaks down the financial benefits of obtaining an advanced degree.
