Associate degrees are generally earned through full-time, two-year college programs. They give students a strong learning foundation and prepare them either for the workplace or for further study on a four-year degree program. Credits earned in the associate degree may be transferred and counted toward a bachelor's or used to graduate at the associate level. Students must typically complete 60 semester hours to graduate. By earning an associate degree, students learn the basics of higher education in the areas of humanities, math, social sciences and communications without having to major in a specific subject or area. An advantage is that they're completed sooner and are more affordable than four-year programs and can be vocation or job specific. There are many well-paid jobs you qualify for with an associate degree, so it's important to consider this when deciding which higher education option to choose.
The most traditional four-year undergraduate college programs typically requiring students to complete approximately 120 credit hours in majors, electives and general education. Students take a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.Sc) degree. A major must be chosen by the end of the second year, and you are required to study for a number of units in that major in order to graduate. Because of the four-year requirement, a bachelor's can cost up to $80,000 more than an associate degree. But over your working life, if you have a bachelor's degree, you will earn significantly more than someone with an associate degree.
You may study for a master's degree after successfully completing a bachelor's program and this further study typically takes between one to three years. Just as a B.A. or B.Sc. is likely to lead to higher pay, holding a master's increases your earning potential even further. Two types of master's are offered in the arts and in the sciences and both rely on in-depth research projects and theses. Master's programs have more relaxed work schedules as students are believed to have proved their academic commitment when completing their bachelor's degrees.
A doctorate, or Ph.D., is the highest level academic degree in the American education system and is earned by completing in-depth research in your chosen subject. Generally taking between three and six years to complete, you are recommended to commit to a doctorate program only after earning a master's as it demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of the subject and academic rigor required for such a program. A dissertation is required for completion of a doctorate degree.