What is a college degree?

A college degree is an academic credential awarded by a college or university upon successful completion of a prescribed course of study. This course of study typically involves a number of years of full-time education (though part-time study is also possible), culminating in the fulfillment of specific requirements including coursework, examinations, and sometimes a thesis or capstone project.

The degree signifies that the recipient has attained a certain level of knowledge and skills in a specific field of study. There are various types of degrees, including:

* Associate's degree: Typically a two-year program leading to an Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), or other similar designation.

* Bachelor's degree: A four-year undergraduate degree, often the most common type of college degree, leading to a Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), or other similar designation.

* Master's degree: A postgraduate degree requiring typically one to two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree.

* Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.): The highest academic degree, usually requiring several years of advanced study and research beyond a master's degree.

The specific requirements for earning a degree vary depending on the institution, the program of study, and the type of degree.