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Degrees, Diplomas, and Certificates – A General Overview
When you commence your search for the right school at which to study for your degree or qualification, the first thing you'll need to negotiate is the maze of different terminology. If you've been out of the education system for a while it can feel like you need a qualification just to work out what all the different qualifications are! Graduate, undergraduate, certificates, associate,bachelor, masters, doctorate – where on earth do you start? Read more »
If you're still in high school then life may be a little easier because there are teachers on hand for your questions, but for those who come under the 'non-traditional student' banner, then you may not have anyone quite so accessible to answer your queries. But never fear, because we've put together an easy to understand guide which explains all of this, and will help you in your choice as to which qualification is right for you.
Different Degrees and Qualifications
Before we delve into all the different options, it makes it far easier to divide all qualifications into two types – these are undergraduate and graduate.
Undergraduate Programs
These are programs that lead to an associate or bachelor's degree and provide a more generalized, practical approach to give a thorough grounding in whatever the particular subject is. They are appropriate for students who have completed high school equivalent education and take as few as two or four years to complete. Undergraduate degrees can also include career specific training – for example,in nursing or automotive repair.
Graduate Programs
A graduate program is undertaken once you have completed your undergraduate study. Graduate programs lead to masters and doctorate degrees. They are specialized and generally take between two and six years to complete, depending on the area of study.
Graduate degrees are usually suitable for those who wish to pursue higher level careers in such niches as government, teaching, medicine, research, the sciences and academia.
What are Certificates and Diplomas?
A diploma is the physical piece of paper that you will be given once you have completed your qualification – think the rolled up piece of paper (or as it used to be, parchment) secured by a ribbon or cord which is given out on graduation day.
A certificate is a program which you undertake to show you have reached a specific level of competency in a particular trade or occupation. There are many of these in all areas of industry and career choice, and they usually combine both theoretical and practical study. Because certificate programs are shorter in duration, sometimes only taking a matter of months, many people find these an excellent way of proving their competency or pursuing an area of special interest.
However, you should be aware that some schools might refer to certificate programs as diploma programs – a little confusing to say the least!
So, basically the different levels of qualifications are:
Certificates are slightly different and can be thought of as qualifications in their own right at both undergraduate and graduate level. To find out more about each specific type of degree and qualification, click on the links below to access further information.
What are the Average Wage Levels Associated with Different Qualifications?
In 2011, the median weekly wage of an adult over 25 years with an education of less than 9th grade was $451. This rose to $638 with the completion of high school, $768 with the completion of an associate's degree but jumped to $1,053 for those with a bachelor's degree. Doctorate degree holders median weekly wage was $1,551.*
*Statistics based on male workers over 25 years of age. Sources - Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm« Collapse
When you commence your search for the right school at which to study for your degree or qualification, the first thing you'll need to negotiate is the maze of different terminology. If you've been out of the education system for a while it can feel like you need a qualification just to work out what all the different qualifications are! Graduate, undergraduate, certificates, associate,bachelor, masters, doctorate – where on earth do you start? Read more »
If you're still in high school then life may be a little easier because there are teachers on hand for your questions, but for those who come under the 'non-traditional student' banner, then you may not have anyone quite so accessible to answer your queries. But never fear, because we've put together an easy to understand guide which explains all of this, and will help you in your choice as to which qualification is right for you.
Different Degrees and Qualifications
Before we delve into all the different options, it makes it far easier to divide all qualifications into two types – these are undergraduate and graduate.
Undergraduate Programs
These are programs that lead to an associate or bachelor's degree and provide a more generalized, practical approach to give a thorough grounding in whatever the particular subject is. They are appropriate for students who have completed high school equivalent education and take as few as two or four years to complete. Undergraduate degrees can also include career specific training – for example,in nursing or automotive repair.
Graduate Programs
A graduate program is undertaken once you have completed your undergraduate study. Graduate programs lead to masters and doctorate degrees. They are specialized and generally take between two and six years to complete, depending on the area of study.
Graduate degrees are usually suitable for those who wish to pursue higher level careers in such niches as government, teaching, medicine, research, the sciences and academia.
What are Certificates and Diplomas?
A diploma is the physical piece of paper that you will be given once you have completed your qualification – think the rolled up piece of paper (or as it used to be, parchment) secured by a ribbon or cord which is given out on graduation day.
A certificate is a program which you undertake to show you have reached a specific level of competency in a particular trade or occupation. There are many of these in all areas of industry and career choice, and they usually combine both theoretical and practical study. Because certificate programs are shorter in duration, sometimes only taking a matter of months, many people find these an excellent way of proving their competency or pursuing an area of special interest.
However, you should be aware that some schools might refer to certificate programs as diploma programs – a little confusing to say the least!
So, basically the different levels of qualifications are:
Certificates are slightly different and can be thought of as qualifications in their own right at both undergraduate and graduate level. To find out more about each specific type of degree and qualification, click on the links below to access further information.
What are the Average Wage Levels Associated with Different Qualifications?
In 2011, the median weekly wage of an adult over 25 years with an education of less than 9th grade was $451. This rose to $638 with the completion of high school, $768 with the completion of an associate's degree but jumped to $1,053 for those with a bachelor's degree. Doctorate degree holders median weekly wage was $1,551.*
*Statistics based on male workers over 25 years of age. Sources - Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm« Collapse