Graduation Degrees

WHAT DEGREES DO NOT MEAN

Editor’s note – First, what any post high school degree does not mean: (1) that someone who has earned a degree is better and/or smarter than someone who hasn’t or (2) that someone with a degree has a better opportunity to pursue a career with great happiness and fair financial compensation. Common sense and persistence are the keys to career success, not a mere Degree. Of course, a degree can “open more doors” but there are plenty of doors not requiring a degree to enter, which can still lead to career satisfaction. 

WHAT DEGREES MEAN

You’re a high school graduate but when you enroll in college, you’re an “undergraduate” – say what? Then when you graduate from college, you have an “undergraduate degree.” No need to understand why in order to pursue your career – just be aware.

At the outset, it is often stated that “All generalizations are false” so the following is just a broad overview; you (and your school’s guidance counselors) need to research specific schools you may be interested in attending.

The brief distinction between a COLLEGE and a UNIVERSITY: 

COLLEGE – In the U.S., “college” often refers to all post high school education. The biggest general difference between colleges and universities is size. In colleges, the number of students and faculty is smaller, and the types of degrees are limited, usually only a Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts. (Editor’s note: use of the term “liberal” is a historical term denoting ‘broad background courses’ with no connection to the political distinction between liberals and conservatives.) 

College classes are taught primarily by professors. Class sizes are relatively small. While most colleges offer “liberal arts” courses (e.g., history, literature, writing and introductory sciences – all to promote critical thinking), some colleges have limited focus such as military academies, graphic design schools and visual arts colleges. Most colleges do not offer graduate degrees but of course there are exceptions (e.g., The College of William and Mary and Dartmouth College to name only a few among others.)

UNIVERSITY – Usually larger than a college, offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Graduate programs lead to Master’s Degrees and Ph.Ds. Many universities have associated professional schools for law, medicine and business. Class sizes are generally larger than colleges and sometimes taught by students who have recently graduated (“Graduate Assistants”). 

Here are very brief explanations of post high school, academic degrees:

Associate DEGREE – awarded by a two-year school, often a “Community College” which has arrangements with local colleges to accept CC credits toward a four-year college degree.

BACHELOR DEGREE – awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting 3 to 6 years. Most common are Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. (There is no significant difference between Arts and Science in this context, since some schools award a BS for the same courses as other schools award a BA.)

MASTER’S DEGREE – requires a prior Bachelor’s degree; awarded for specialized knowledge of a specific field of professional practice and achievement of a high order of skills in analysis, critical evaluation, ability to solve problems and think rigorously and independently. 

DOCTORATE DEGREE – awarded for proficiency in applying research to practical problems and formulating solutions to complex issues within your field. 

Ph.D – is one form of a Doctorate Degree. It’s an abbreviation of Doctor of Philosophy, requiring original research, data analysis and evaluation of theories within your field. Often, the Ph.D. candidate must research and write an extensive thesis, followed by passing an oral examination.