Academic degrees are credentials that students earn by completing any number of postsecondary programs. Academic degrees are conferred to students at multiple educationals levels for a variety of subjects, though they typically fall into one of five categories.In this guide, we will provide a brief description of the five types of academic degrees in the United States, followed by some of the most common degree programs found at each level.
Types of academic degrees
| Academic degree | Typical completion time |
|---|---|
| Associate degree | Two years |
| Bachelor’s degree | Four years |
| Master’s degree | Two years |
| Doctoral degree | Four years |
| Professional degree | Between four and seven years |
1. Associate degrees
Associate Degrees programs are two-year-long programs that usually focus on general post-secondary education. However, some associate Degrees programs are designed for students looking to move directly from their associate degree into professional training programs.These degrees are typically offered at community colleges, vocational schools and universities.Some of the most common associate degree programs are:
- Associate of Arts and Associate of Science: The AA and AS degree programs are designed for students to use as a precursor for a bachelor’s degree program.
- Associate of General Studies: An AGS may be acquired by a student who is not sure of their intended career path. An AGS may be applied similarly to an AA or an AS to gain entry to a bachelor’s program, or it may be brought directly into a workplace as a demonstration of general academic knowledge.
- Associate of Business Adminstration: An ABA may be used as a student’s introduction to the academic study of business. Students with an ABA may get a head start on their business-related bachelor’s degree program.
- Associate Degree in Nursing: An ADN is one degree that can be used as an admission credential for students interested in enrolling in nursing school. An ADN can typically take the place of a bachelor’s degree in pre-med for a nurse.
2. Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor’s Degree programs are the most common form of post-secondary education in the United States. A bachelor’s degree program takes four years, which are typically divided up into two years of general education and two years of specialized degree education. A student in a bachelor’s degree program with an associate degree may apply for their associate degree in place of the first two years of their bachelor’s program.These degrees are conferred at state universities and four-year colleges and cover a broad range of specializations that divide degree programs into majors.Some of the most common bachelor’s degree programs are:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts: The BFA is a degree awarded to students seeking education in visual and performing arts, often with a specific concentration like photography or ballet. Students can continue schooling to achieve a Master of Fine Arts.
- Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science: The BA and the BS are the most common bachelor’s degrees conferred in the United States. Different schools handle the distinction between a BA and a BS differently, but typically, the BA involves majors that focus on liberal arts whereas the BS covers majors that are more technical or engineering based. Most bachelor’s degree majors fall into one of these two categories.
- Bachelor of General Studies: A BGS is a distinction most often conferred to students who complete their four years of bachelor’s education in a program with courses tailored to their various skills and interests, but still meet the general requirements of college completion.
- Bachelor of Library Science: The BLS is a specialized bachelor’s degree most often earned by students intending to pursue a master’s degree in library science.
- Bachelor of Business Administration: A BBA is a foundational business bachelor’s degree program that serves as a strong way to start a career in business administration. Students graduating with a BBA may immediately begin their career or they may continue their education and seek a master’s degree in business administration (MBA).
- Bachelor of Health Science: The BHS is a degree that is most commonly earned by students on the medical doctor track, and is the most common degree to find pre-med courses in. Students wishing to become nurses may also earn a BHS degree before going to nursing school.
- Bachelor of Business Administration: A BBA is a foundational business bachelor’s degree program that serves as a strong way to start a career in business administration. Students graduating with a BBA may immediately begin their career or they may continue their education and seek a master’s degree in business administration (MBA).
3. Master’s degrees
Master’s Degrees programs are rigorous two-year-long academic programs that require a student to have earned their bachelor’s degree. Master’s degree programs focus on specialized topics in order to build a student’s professional capabilities or further develop their academic capabilities. Master’s degree programs contain no general knowledge coursework.These degrees are conferred at state and private universities and some colleges and cover a broad range of specializations.Some of the most common master’s degree programs are:
- Master of Arts and Master of Science: Similar to the structure of bachelor’s degrees, most specialized master’s degree programs are categorized as either an MA or an MS. Specialized topics that would have been covered in a BA are typically covered by an MA, and topics that would have been covered in a BS are usually covered by an MS.
- Master of Library Science: The MLS is a specialized master’s degree for students who wish to pursue document preservation or library science as their career path.
- Master of Information System Management: An MIS is a master’s program designed for students with a bachelor’s degree focusing on computer science, information technology or a business-related field. The MIS is a program that provides the student with the necessary tools to work in technology.
- Master Of Business Administration: An MBA is a high-level business administration degree. Students who have earned an MBA may immediately seek to begin their career in business in a higher-level position with a much deeper understanding of business principles and practical business strategies.
- Master of Health Science: The MHS degree is the final program a medical student needs to complete before being eligible to enroll in a medical school’s professional degree program.
- Master of Fine Arts: MFAs are typically specialized and geared toward performance over academic curriculum. Students must be able to display artistic abilities in a practical way, like performing for audiences or scheduling art openings for themselves. Often these degrees will include coursework in art management.
4. Doctoral degrees
Doctoral Degrees are specialized advanced degrees for students who’ve graduated with a master’s degree. A doctoral degree is the highest possible academic degree attainable, and doctoral programs are designed to provide a student with the tools and training to become professionally involved with academic research to expand upon a field of study.Doctoral degrees are offered by highly funded research universities.The vast majority of doctoral degrees conferred in the United States are Ph.Ds. Ph.Ds are offered in many academic subjects and are designed to prepare a student for a career in research and education. Typically these students find their profession at universities. Students with Ph.Ds are also valued by private corporations, which do their own research, and by government agencies.
5. Professional degrees
Professional degree programs are an alternative set of graduate degrees for professionals that require licensing to work within their fields. These degrees may take anywhere from four to seven years to complete depending on the field of study and they usually include the licensing process as a part of their coursework to help students easily transfer into their careers. Most professional degree programs in the United States require at least a master’s degree.Professional degrees are conferred by specialized professional schools with accreditation. Professional schools may be associated with major universities or colleges, or they may be their own separate entities.The most common types of professional degree programs in the United States are:
- Medical Degrees: Medical schools teach students who have demonstrated their knowledge by passing the MCAT. These programs require that a student have an existing academic background in pre-med, biology or a related field. Medical degree programs typically last five years and prepare a student for their residency period at a hospital after graduation.
- Law Degrees: Students in the United States must have a bachelor’s degree to enter law school. Law degrees teach a student the history and practices of being a lawyer as well as prepare them for their state’s bar exam, which is the test that allows a law student to be licensed to practice.
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