Postsecondary Degrees

Not all occupations require a postsecondary , certificate, or degree. However, additional will open up more positions to you. Employers often prefer to hire, train, and advance people who have more education. It shows that you are skilled and knowledgeable.

Many programs of study offer you the option of earning a certificate, diploma, or degree depending on how much time you want to spend studying. A variety of bachelor's degree programs are also offered at the master's and doctoral level. There are also programs that will only be open to you after you earn a bachelor's degree. These programs require several more years of study.

It is important to know how much training is required to work in an occupation that interests you. If you have more education than a job requires, some employers may wonder if you will be challenged or happy in the job. You may also require higher wages than some companies can pay. To learn more about exploring occupations, go to www.missouriconnections.org.

Certificates & These programs are less than 2 years, and allow you to step right into a specific occupation. Many 2-year schools, community , and career and technical schools award certificates and diplomas. You may also earn a certificate or diploma after completing on-the-job training or an apprenticeship.

Certificate and diploma programs can take only a few days or up to 2 years to complete. The courses you take for these programs may not transfer to other schools. Some schools offer dual-enrollment, which allows you to work towards a certificate, diploma, or while in high school.

Example certificate and diploma programs of study include:

 Cosmetology and Hair Design  Floral Design  Food Services  Medical Assistant  Diesel Technology To learn more about schools that offer these programs, visit Career & Technical Schools and 2-Year & Community Colleges in About Schools in Missouri Connections.

Associate & Transfer Degrees Most take 2 years to complete, and some can count towards a bachelor's degree. All community colleges offer associate degrees. An Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Associate of Science (A.S.) degree is granted to who complete a 2-year program of study. You can also earn an Associate of Arts and Science (A.A.S.) degree. An Associate of Applied Science (also A.A.S.) degree is awarded to students who complete a 2-year career or technical program. These programs often require an internship.

The credits you earn at a often can be transferred to a 4-year school. This allows you to apply the credits you completed for an associate degree towards a bachelor's degree. Each school has different rules about what credits it will accept from other schools. For example, you might be able to transfer credits in writing, math, and science.

If you know which 4-year college or you are going to attend, check to see what community college courses it accepts. Some schools accept very few transfer credits.

You should also work with a school counselor to be sure your credits will transfer. Usually generic degrees, such as or English, transfer more easily than technical degrees, such as auto body repair. Some schools offer dual-enrollment, which allows you to work towards a certificate, diploma, or associate degree while in high school.

Example associate and transfer degree programs of study include:

 Anthropology  Farm and Ranch  Telecommunications Technology To learn more about schools that offer these programs, visit 2-Year & Community Colleges in About Schools. You may have to pass a college admission test to apply to certain 2-year and community colleges. To learn more about college entrance exams, check out College Admission Tests in About Schools. Some schools will also require you to take a placement test before you register for classes. To learn more, check out Placement & Credit Tests in About Schools.

Bachelor's Degrees These usually take 4 years to complete, and cover a broad range of subjects. There are two general types of bachelor's degrees: (B.A.) and (B.S.). These are also known as undergraduate degrees. They are offered by 4-year colleges and . Some programs may take longer than 4 years to complete.

A Bachelor of Arts degree is also known as a liberal arts degree. This degree generally requires courses in , math, English, sciences, social sciences, and languages.

A Bachelor of Science degree generally does not require as many liberal arts or humanities courses. It may prepare you for a career in accounting, engineering, or education. Like the Bachelor of Arts, it requires general courses in math, English, sciences, and social sciences.

The programs of study for bachelor's degrees are often called majors. Example programs of study include:

 Biochemistry  Family Resource Management  History  Nuclear Engineering While studying your major, you can also take additional, less comprehensive coursework called a minor. You may study a subject related to your major or something completely different.

There are also highly specialized bachelor's degree programs. These programs focus on a particular area of study within or sciences, and the degrees have different names. Examples include:

Administration (B.B.A.)  Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies (B.I.S.)  (B.F.A.) You may have to pass a college admission test to apply to certain colleges and universities. To learn more about college entrance exams, check out College Admission Tests in About Schools. To learn more about schools that offer these programs, visit 4-Year Colleges & Universities in About Schools.

Graduate Certificates After you earn a bachelor's or master's degree, these certify you for a specific task or occupation. Some colleges and universities offer graduate certificates. These programs of study can only be completed after you earn an undergraduate bachelor's degree. Some programs may also require a master's degree. In most cases, graduate certificates are shorter programs than master's or doctoral degrees. However, you may be required to pass a test to earn a certificate.

Example programs of study include:

 Nurse Midwifery  Pharmacology  Teaching English as a Second Language To learn more about schools that offer these programs, visit 4-Year Colleges & Universities in About Schools.

Master's Degrees These programs usually take an additional 1 to 2 years after you complete your bachelor's. These programs of study are offered by 4-year colleges and universities. They can only be completed after you have earned a bachelor's degree. Some programs require specific undergraduate courses. Students who want to go to should work with an advisor ahead of time to be sure they meet admission requirements.

There are many different types of master's degrees, including a master's of arts (M.A.), Master's of science (M.S.), and Master's of Business Administration (M.B.A.).

Master's degrees usually require 1 or 2 years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Admission to graduate programs can be competitive. Students often must take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or other test when applying for admission to graduate school.

Example master's programs of study include:

 Counseling   Operations Management  Public Policy To learn more about college entrance exams, including graduate exams, check out College Admissions Tests in About Schools. To learn more about schools that offer these programs, visit 4-Year Colleges & Universities.

Professional Degrees Certain occupations require a specific degree. You may be required to earn a bachelor's degree first. These advanced degrees prepare people to work in specialized professions that require a high level of practical knowledge and experience. Professional degrees are offered by 4-year colleges and universities.

Study for a often requires at least 6 years. Some programs only require a 4-year bachelor's degree. In other programs, you might spend 4 years working toward a bachelor's degree and then spend another few years working toward your professional degree. Most professional degrees require that you pass a specific exam that is required to practice your occupation.

Example programs of study include:

 Architecture  Dentistry  Law  Pharmacy Professional degrees often have the term "doctor" in the , such as a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. However, they are not the same thing as a doctoral degree, usually called a (Ph.D.). Additional coursework and research is required to earn a Ph.D. in a particular field. To learn more about Ph.D.s, check out Doctoral Degrees.

To learn more about schools that offer professional degree programs, visit 4-Year Colleges & Universities in About Schools.

Doctoral Degrees The highest degree you can earn in an area of study, following either bachelor's or master's degrees.

The doctoral degree, or Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy), is awarded to students who successfully complete a program of 2 or more years beyond a master's or professional degree. Some students begin work on a Ph.D. after receiving a bachelor's degree and receive a master's degree during the course of their studies. Ph.D. programs often focus on original research that adds to what is already known about a given subject.

These programs are offered by 4-year colleges and universities, and admission is very competitive. It's important to work with a counselor if you want to earn a specific Ph.D.

Example doctoral programs of study include:

 Biophysics  Geological and Earth Sciences  Urban Studies  Education To learn more about schools that offer these programs, visit 4-Year Colleges & Universities in About Schools.

Apprenticeships If you are good with your hands and want to learn a trade, craft, or skill, you may want to become an apprentice.

An apprenticeship is a formal method of training in a skilled occupation, craft, or trade. Apprentices learn occupations through structured programs of on-the-job training and related classroom technical instruction.

The United States Department of Labor recognizes more than 800 apprenticeable occupations. Most apprenticeships are in construction, manufacturing, transportation, and services. Apprenticeship training is the main way to prepare for some occupations, such as plumber or electrician. For many other occupations, such as carpenter, baker, or machinist, apprenticeships are one of several ways to prepare.

To learn more, check out the Apprenticeship Programs file in Programs of Study.

Military Branches of Service Where people work and the jobs they perform can vary depending on the branch of service they're in. Not all opportunities are the same in each branch. Learn more before you make a decision.

Army One of the largest employers in the U.S., the Army protects the U.S. and its resources at home and abroad.

Navy The largest maritime force in the world, the Navy ensures the world's oceans remain safe for trade and travel.

Air Force With its strong focus on technology, the Air Force protects the U.S. in the air, space, and cyberspace.

Marine Corps Often the first to be sent into combat, the Marine Corps is small but well known for its ability to fight.

Coast Guard Protecting America's ports and waterways, the Coast Guard also serves with the Navy during war.

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