The American education system offers many different types of
degrees. They vary by length of study, discipline and
institution.
Doctorate Degree (D)
The highest academic degree in the U.S. is the research
doctorate. It is awarded to individuals for independent research
in either academic disciplines or professional fields. Doctoral
studies may begin after completing a master's or bachelor's
degree.
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Master's Degree (MA/MS)
The master's degree is awarded to students who complete 1-3
years of study beyond the bachelor's degree. The type of degree
and length of study varies among programs.
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Bachelor's Degree (BA/BS)
The bachelor's degree is the most commonly awarded
undergraduate degree. Students typically complete four years of
full-time academic study, however, some bachelor's degrees may
require additional years.
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Associate Degree (AA/AS)
The associate degree is awarded to students who complete a
two-year academic, professional or vocational program. Students
may obtain the degree from a community college, junior college or
a 4-year college or university.
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Certificate/Diploma
Community and junior colleges award students with a
certificate for completing short programs of less than two years.
Students who complete longer programs receive a diploma.
4-year colleges and universities award students with a
certificate for completing a specialized program. Certificates
are awarded to students either in addition to a bachelor's degree
or to students now enrolled in a degree program.
Graduate Certificates or Graduate Diploma programs are available for students who already have a Bachelor's degree. These programs are typically 6-18 months.
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