Types of Academic Degrees
– Associate degree: typically a 2-year degree obtained at a community college or junior college
– Bachelors degree: typically a 3 or 4-year degree
– Masters degree: typically a 1 or 2-year degree earned by attending advanced courses and doing projects
– Doctoral degree: typically a 4-to-6-year degree that requires writing a thesis based on new research
– Licentiate degree: a degree that gives permission to teach and practice in a specific area
Degrees in Medicine
– MRCP: Member of the Royal College of Physicians, a higher degree obtained through postgraduate training and practical experience
– Membership of specialist societies: degrees in medicine that require additional training and experience, such as Fellowships
– Doctor of Medicine (MD): a professional degree required to become a medical doctor
– Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO): a professional degree offered in the United States, allowing people to become medical doctors with a focus on osteopathy medicine
– Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM): a degree required to become a veterinarian
Degrees in the United States and Canada
– Undergraduate degrees: for students without a bachelors degree, including associate and bachelors degrees
– Associate degree: obtained at a community college and requires two years of college
– Bachelors Degree: obtained by completing four years of college and having enough credits to graduate
– Graduate degrees: require a bachelors degree and include masters and doctoral degrees
– Masters Degree: rewarded to students who complete an additional two years of studies in their major
– Doctor of Philosophy Degree (Ph.D.): the highest degree that requires more than four years of college to earn
Professional Degrees
– Juris Doctor (JD): required to become a lawyer and earned by completing three years of law school
– Doctor of Medicine (MD): required to become a medical doctor and earned by completing four years of medical school
– Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS): required to become a dentist and earned by completing four years of dental school
– Doctor of Podiatry Medicine (DPM): required to become a podiatrist and earned by completing four years of podiatry school
– Doctor of Optometry (OD): required to become an optometrist and earned by completing four years of optometry school
Importance and Challenges of Higher Degrees
– Higher degrees are shown by letters after a person’s name as a form of recognition
– The courses needed for higher degrees are highly advanced and difficult, building upon undergraduate courses
– Higher degrees require a deep understanding of technical terms and specialized knowledge in a field
– Higher degrees, such as masters and doctorates, open up opportunities for advanced careers and higher salaries
– Professors in colleges and universities are typically required to have a Ph.D. degree in their fieldSources: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_degree
