The levels of college degrees in order are associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral. There are other college programs to consider as well. For example, a student could complete a non-degree certificate program or bridge program. Some institutions of higher education offer professional degrees, such as the Juris Doctor (JD) conferred by law schools and the Doctor of Medicine (MD) conferred by medical schools.

The college degree level you should choose depends on your prior education and your goals. If you’re just beginning your journey in higher education and you’d like to pursue a professional career, for example, you may wish to earn a bachelor’s degree. If you’re already an established professional with a bachelor’s degree who would like to enhance your career qualifications, you might apply to a master’s or doctoral degree program.

The main levels of degrees in order are associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Take a closer look at each of them while you reflect on your goals for your college education.

An associate degree is an undergraduate degree that typically takes about half the time to earn as a bachelor’s degree. In the hierarchy of academic credentials, an associate degree is higher than a high school diploma, yet lower than a bachelor’s degree.

Associate degrees are typically offered at community colleges. Students may earn an associate with the intention of either immediately entering the workforce after graduation or applying to a university to transfer their associate degree credits into a bachelor’s degree.

The main types of associate degrees are:

• Associate of Arts (AA)
• Associate of Science (AS)
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

There are also some specialty associate degrees, such as the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA), Associate of Industrial Technology (AIT) and Associate of Forestry (AF).

A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate program that typically takes about twice as long to complete as an associate degree. On the different levels of degrees, a bachelor’s degree is higher than an associate degree but lower than a master’s degree.

Bachelor’s degrees are typically offered by universities and colleges, rather than by community colleges. They can prepare students to pursue professional careers across a variety of fields. A bachelor’s degree provides foundational knowledge and skills in a field of study, preparing graduates to pursue entry-level work in that field.

The two main types of bachelor’s degrees are the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS). A BA provides a broad education in the liberal arts and social sciences, focusing on coursework in areas such as humanities, languages and social sciences. A BS, meanwhile, focuses on technical or scientific studies and may require a more rigid curriculum with more major-specific courses and fewer electives.

As with associate degrees, there are specialty bachelor’s degrees. These include the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) and Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).

The master’s degree is the first graduate-level degree. Master’s degrees are offered by universities and colleges. A bachelor’s degree is generally a requirement for admission. Students with an associate degree who would like to earn a master’s degree would first need to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Whereas a bachelor’s degree provides broad, foundational knowledge in an area, a master’s degree takes a more in-depth look at advanced topics within the field. Master’s degrees often offer opportunities for specialization by choosing a specific concentration. For example, a student could earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an Emphasis in Business Analytics.

The two main types of master’s degrees are the Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS). There are also specialized degrees, including the MBA, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Master of Education (MEd), Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Public Health (MPH) and more.

Doctoral degrees are graduate degrees. They are also referred to as terminal degrees because they are the highest level of academic achievement that a person can attain in a field. Also known as doctorates, these degrees are offered by universities and colleges.

Before applying to a doctoral program, students are usually expected to gain work experience in their field. Unlike other academic programs, doctoral degrees require both coursework and, in many cases, original research. The doctoral candidate has the opportunity to add to the body of knowledge in their field.

Students typically develop a research question, conduct research, analyze their findings and write a dissertation about their methodologies, research and findings. After completing the dissertation, students must pass a dissertation defense, which consists of an oral presentation and examination.

Doctoral degrees may be research-focused, such as the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), or professional degrees that focus on applying research in practical settings. Along with the PhD, research-focused doctorates include the Doctor of Arts (DA) and Doctor of Science (ScD or DSc). Professional doctorates include the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Education (EdD) and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).

When comparing the levels of college degrees, it can be helpful to view a condensed breakdown of the differences. Use the following table as you develop your academic plans and goals.

There is no universal answer regarding the time it takes to earn a college degree. Different schools and programs have varying graduation requirements, including different numbers of credits that must be completed. Additionally, a student’s progress will depend on whether they are enrolled full-time or part-time and whether they have transferred any credits into the program, as well as their course scheduling preferences.

Because the graduation timeline depends on factors unique to the individual, it’s best to consult a university counselor for personalized guidance regarding how long it might take to earn a specific degree.

After examining the levels of degrees in order, you may already have an idea of which degree level is right for you. This will be determined in large part by your current level of education.

For example, if you have a high school diploma, your options are an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree. If you have a bachelor’s, you can progress to either a master’s or a doctorate. (Some doctoral programs may require a master’s degree for admission, while others do not.)

When deciding between an associate and a bachelor’s, you’ll also want to consider your career goals. Some career pathways may require or prefer a bachelor’s degree over an associate degree, for example. Some occupations may require graduate-level education as well, which necessitates earning a bachelor’s first.

If you’re choosing between a master’s and a doctorate, consider your goals for advancing your education. Do you want to qualify for a new position? If so, what degree does that new position require or prefer? You should also reflect on the degree requirements of each type of program, such as a master’s thesis or capstone for a master’s degree or a doctoral dissertation for a doctorate.

If you already know which career you’d like to pursue, then it can be somewhat easier to choose a degree. First, conduct research on the career you desire, such as by using the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH). It provides career requirements and other career-specific information. If your intended career requires licensure, be aware that requirements can vary by state, so do your due diligence and research your state’s licensure requirements.

Whether you’re planning on attending college for the first time or you are interested in continuing your journey in higher education, GCU has a degree program for you. Our Christian university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across many different fields, from nursing and healthcare to education, business, technology and engineering. We also offer bridge programs to help ease the transition if you’re interested in earning a master’s degree in a field other than your bachelor’s degree.