Quick Guide: Your College Degree Options
This degree requires completing a four- or five-year college program. Most students earn a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree . Other types of bachelors degrees include the Bachelor of Fine Arts or Bachelor of Architecture degree. Graduate degrees are advanced degrees pursued after earning a bachelors degree.
Types Of Associate Degrees
- A. Focused on liberal art areas like music, history and English. This degree involves 60 hours of coursework to achieve a pass.
- S. Common A.S. programs include biology and chemistry.
- A.S. This broad subject includes programs in business, mathematics and related topics.
- E. Focuses on engineering.
- A.A. Deals with applied arts only.
- P.S. Deals with political science only.
Degrees Awarded By Institutions Other Than Universities
In the past, degrees have also been directly issued by authority of the monarch or by a bishop, rather than any educational institution. This practice has mostly died out. In Great Britain, Lambeth Degrees are still awarded by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Archbishop of Canterbury’s right to grant degrees is derived from Peter’s Pence Act of 1533 which empowered the Archbishop to grant dispensations previously granted by the Pope.
Among educational institutions, St David’s College, Lampeter was granted limited degree awarding powers by royal charter in the nineteenth century, despite not being a university. University College North Staffordshire was also granted degree awarding powers on its foundation in 1949, despite not becoming a university until 1962. Following the Education Reform Act 1988, many educational institutions other than universities have been granted degree awarding powers, including higher education colleges and colleges of the University of London .
In most countries, gaining an academic degree entitles the holder to assume distinctive academic dress particular to the awarding institution, identifying the status of the individual wearing them.
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Biological And Biomedical Sciences
According to NCES, U.S. colleges and universities bestowed 119,000 bachelor’s degrees in biological and biomedical sciences in 2017-18. This figure represents a 68% increase since 2005-06, when nearly 71,000 degrees were conferred in this field.
Biological sciences majors have grown rapidly in popularity since 2005-06.
Many biology-related occupations promise high earning potential and ongoing job growth, which may help explain why this field is so popular. Biochemists and biophysicists currently earn a median annual salary of $94,490, whereas all other biological scientists make around $82,220 a year. Employment of biochemists and biophysicists is projected to grow 4% through 2029.
Undergraduate biology programs explore a diverse number of subjects, such as ecology, cell biology, and genetics. Often, biology majors will specialize in a particular area of study to pursue a specific career path.
Biological and Biomedical Sciences Career Paths
Most Commonly Conferred Bachelor Degrees
The National Center for Education Statistics does a great job of keeping track of every single degree conferred in the United States. If you love historical facts and statistics, youll probably enjoy their website filled with fun facts like this: only 99 Library Science bachelor degrees were conferred last year. I know youll sleep better at night knowing this fact. Youre welcome!
Of special interest to me are the statistics related to the most popular degrees like Business Administration. Five year ago, there were 363,799 business degrees awarded. This includes several types of business degrees ranging from business administration to project management. Trailing behind business in not-so-close second place are the health professions degrees: 216,228. Coming in third place, we have psychology with 117,557 bachelors degrees conferred.
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*Data provided by U.S Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics
In addition, you may want to reference some of the highest paying bachelor degrees as well.
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Types Of Masters Degrees
There are master’s degrees created for every subject including music, social work, PA, public health, but the most common are listed below:
- A. or M.F.A. Both of these degrees cover topics including education, communication, social sciences and music.
- S. This degree could be earned in a wide range of science, health and even social science professions.
- Res. Its designed to offer training on how to become a researcher.
- Phil. Its a research-only degree and is often studied before a PhD.
- M. While professional Law degrees just give a general coverage of all the skills required to become an attorney, LLM would give you an opportunity to specialise in a specific area of law.
- B.A. These degrees are often designed for management professionals with some experience.
A Complete List Of Degree Types For College And University
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Content Manager and Career Expert
Obtaining a degree is a great way to gain knowledge in a specific field. Not only will further education help with your own personal development, but itll also enhance your career opportunities. Before you branch out into higher education, you must decide what degree is right for you and what career path you want to follow. But where do you start with so many options available to you?
To make your decision easier, heres everything you need to know about the different types of degrees:
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Postgraduate Master’s Degree/doctoral Degree In Canada
A master’s degree in Canada typically requires two years of study after successful completion of an honours baccalaureate. The normal qualification for a doctoral program is a master’s degree. However, students have been allowed, in special circumstances, to pass directly from an honours baccalaureate program into a doctoral program. A minimum of three years and up to four or five years of study and research, as well as a dissertation, are the normal requirements for a doctorate. The degree is generally known as a Ph.D. however, doctoral degrees in Canada may also be granted in particular fields of study such as music or law .
In regulated professions such as medicine, law, education and social work, an internship or practicum is generally required in order to obtain a license to practice.
Many colleges and universities offer one- or two-year postgraduate diploma and certificate programs to students who wish to augment their undergraduate degree with specialized training.
What Is A Bs Degree
The Bachelor of Science degree is targeted to specific concentrations. BS students, more often than not, focus specifically on the field of their major and tend to be extremely career-focused. This system of study increases the working adults chances of moving toward higher paying jobs within their field of study. Bachelor degrees in the medical field, for example, are more likely to be Bachelor of Science degrees.
Popular majors that make the Bachelor of Science degree list include Computer Science, Business, Economics, Nursing, Chemical Engineering, and Biology.
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Think About Your Interests
First, consider what you’re interested in. You’ll spend most of your time taking courses in your major, so you’ll want to pick something you actually like studying. If you’re not interested in taking Biology classes, then don’t major in Biology! Pick something you enjoy and want to learn more about.
Degrees That Lead To High Paying Careers For Online Graduates
High paying occupations can be found in many different fields with varying educational requirements, creating numerous opportunities for prospective college students to choose career paths that will be both rewarding and lucrative. The following is just a sampling of online degree programs to consider, with salary data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale.
Degree
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Financial Aid Considerations And Resources For Online Students
At most schools, online students are eligible for financial aid packages, just like their on-campus counterparts. The most desirable forms of financial aid are grants, scholarships, fellowships, and work-study programs, generally provided by the federal or state government or by the schools themselves. Aid from these sources does not have to be paid back. Some students may also be eligible for other types of financial assistance. For instance, active duty military and veterans, along with their dependents, are often entitled to tuition discounts. Some schools also have partnerships with organizations, and members or employees of these organizations may gain access to tuition assistance. Federal and private loans are another useful option, although students will need to pay back the loans with interest. For the vast majority of financial aid programs, the application process begins by filling out the FAFSA form.
At most schools, online students are eligible for financial aid packages, just like their on-campus counterparts.
We’ve put together a Guide to Financial Aid for Online Students, where you can find detailed information on the various types of aid available, the application process, tax implications, and additional resources.
How Much Does A Four
The cost of an online four-year degree can vary dramatically, mainly due to the wide range of tuition rates among the schools offering bachelor’s degrees. Of the best online bachelor’s degrees with the highest return on investment, annual tuition rates range from $6,450 to $47,740. Multiplied out by four years, total tuition costs range from $25,800 to $190,960.
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Bachelor Of Fine Arts
Although the BFA isnt the most popular bachelor degree type conferred, its worth noting if you want to pursue a degree in fine arts.
If youre creative and artistic, a BFA may be a suitable fit for you among the types of bachelor degrees offered. A degree in fine arts conveys a commitment to the creation of art and aesthetics. The majors in this degree include:
- Creative Writing
- Printmaking
- Graphic Design
These majors usually require a portfolio element of assessment in which you present your cumulative work in order to complete your degree. A BFA is very hands-on and often requires a natural skill base before getting started.
If you cant draw a straight line with a ruler, you might not be cut out for a BFA, but if you have some artistic inclination that needs to be honed, you can probably do so through a BFA program.
Why Earn A Bachelors Degree
On average, more education means higher earnings. Most professional and technical jobs require at least a bachelors degree to enter the field. There are many schools offering degrees on-campus or online, full-time or part-time, and programs for people with prior educational or work experience to accelerate their degree.
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How Much Does It Cost
Tuition for a bachelors degree varies significantly from school to school, and published fees are not what most students will actually end up paying. Grants and financial aid will often significantly reduce the actual cost, so a more expensive institution may provide enough aid to make the tuition cost lower than that of a cheaper school that gives less aid.
The College Board published a report stating the median tuition for a full-time student at public or private, not-for-profit four-year institutions in 2019-2020 averages out at $12,710. Statistically 25% of these students will pay below $9,000, while 26% will attend universities charging at or above $30,000. This is a realistic difference in tuition which can control a persons financial situation.
Affordability factors can include, but are not limited to: public vs. private institutions, the state in which you enroll, available aid, and your status as an in-state or out-of-state residence.Online bachelor degrees will also base tuition on in-state and out-of-state status. Some colleges may provide a set rate for distance education, regardless of residency however these rates vary widely from school-to-school and program-to-program.
Financial aid tremendously affects the total cost of a bachelors degree. There are a plethora of options when considering financial assistance, from grants and scholarships to loans, military family aid, tax benefits, and more.
Online Degree Level Overviews
With thousands of possibilities at five different degree levels to choose from â associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate, plus certificates â selecting an online degree can seem overwhelming at first. There are various factors students consider when choosing an online program. These factors relate to career goals, finances, coursework, and transfer credits. This page is designed to help prospective students explore their many options and make the right choice in their online program.
Certificates are available online for students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Online certificates can serve as a supplement to a degree, or as a standalone qualification. There are over 7,000 online certificate programs to choose from, many leading to job opportunities as physical therapy assistants, occupational therapy assistants, dental assistants, and veterinary technicians.
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Finding The Right College Major For You
You’ve likely heard the importance of selecting a college major that will help secure you a job. There are many benefits to possessing a bachelor’s degree in a popular subject area.
A business administration degree, for example, equips you with competencies that qualify you for a plethora of employment opportunities in industries like retail, marketing, and finance. Popular majors also tend to lead to careers with attractive salaries and in-demand positions.
Although potential earnings and job opportunities are important factors to consider, your passion and interests should play a significant role in your decision-making process as well. After all, your major will greatly impact your college experience and future career.
Although potential earnings and job opportunities are important factors to consider when choosing a major, your passion and interests should play a significant role as well.
If you’re considering a more niche major that doesn’t offer abundant job opportunities, like art history or , you should assess your abilities and skills in that subject area. This can be a challenging task, but, as with any college major, your future professional success largely depends on your talent and skills. This is even more important for less popular majors, as jobs in niche fields tend to be highly competitive.
Ultimately, possessing a bachelor’s degree in any field will raise your overall employability.
Choosing And Applying To An Online Program
Once you’ve determined the subject and degree you would like to pursue, you’ll need to decide which online program to enroll in. There are several important factors to consider when selecting the specific program that will best meet your needs, such as the reputation of the school for teaching that subject, any options for adding a concentration or area of emphasis, and the degree to which you can customize your program through the choice of electives. Another important factor is your return on investment, meaning the cost of the program as compared to your increased earning potential over the course of your career. On OnlineU.com, we rank schools by ROI, making it easier for you to use this factor as one of your decision criteria.
As you conduct your school search, you might also want to investigate the school’s virtual learning environment before making your final choice. Some useful questions to ask are:
Are the courses entirely asynchronous, allowing you to complete work on your own time, or are elements of the courses synchronous, requiring you to be online with the instructor at specific days and times?
Does the school require you to come to campus for any live learning events, and will you have the time and resources to attend these sessions?
Will you be able to meet the expected demands of the courses in addition to your other time commitments?
Will you have access to financial aid and student support servicesif enrolled online?
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Types Of Bachelors Degrees
- A. It is considered as the widest bachelors degree including humanities, social sciences and liberal arts.
- S. It usually covers majors such as engineering, physics, accounting or business or any of the sciences.
- F.A. Fine arts include acting, dancing, singing, sculpting and painting. Previous experience is required when applying for these courses.
- B.A. BBA degree often covers courses in management strategy, decision making and even organisational psychology. You should opt for this course if you aspire to be a manager or CEO one day!
- Arch. If you dream of designing buildings, this is the course that you must obtain. Youll then be required to follow on to a graduate course after.
- B. If you hope to be a big-time lawyer, a bachelors degree is where you should begin.
- Eng. This degree focuses solely on the field of engineering.
Other Specialty Bachelor Degrees
Some institutions choose to label or name their degrees slightly differently than the more well-known labels explored here. If you find these types of degrees, dont be scared of them.
Chances are, these degrees are quite similar in nature and requirements as a BS, BA, or BFA degree. Here are some specialty degrees you may encounter when searching thetypes of bachelor degrees that are out there:
- Bachelor of Education
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Is It Worth It
According to the Social Security Administration, the 2015 median increase in lifetime earnings ranged from $1.1 to $1.5 million more to workers with bachelor degrees than those with only a high school diploma. The majority of jobs paying from $35,000 to a median $56,000 a year for people aged 25-44, go to those with a bachelors degree.
The Ultimate College Majors List: 295 Degrees To Consider
When you get to college, you’ll need to pick a majora specific area of study that you’ll specialize in. Your major can have a big impact on what you decide to do for work, as well as, obviously, how you spend your time in school.
In this article, we’ll give a comprehensive college majors list so you can see what options there are. Review this list of majors so you’re well informed on all the different routes you can take as a college student.
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