Degree Level

Certificate

A Certificate, in the academic world, is more of an augmentation than an actual degree. It certifies the satisfactory completion in a course of vocational subject.

Associate

An Associate's degree is typically earned after two years of full-term study.

Bachelors

A Bachelors degree program is considered the standard undergraduate degree and normally takes four years to complete. After earning a bachelors degree a student is ready for an entry level job in the work-force, or he or she can pursue a Masters degree.

Masters

The Masters degree is a post-graduate degree that is usually earned in one to six years depending on the program.

Doctorate

A doctorate commonly is usually a terminal degree, or the highest degree you can earn in a field of study. The most common Research Doctoral degree is the Doctor of Philosophy, or Ph.D. Earning a Ph.D. can be an arduous task. It may take more than 10 years of post-graduate study for a student to earn a Ph.D. In addition to passing your classes and grueling exams, most Doctoral degrees call for the student to write and defend a thesis or dissertation.