What is First Professional Degree?

A First Professional Degree is the initial degree required for entry into a specific professional field. It's distinct from a bachelor's degree, though it may sometimes build upon one. Instead of providing a broad education, it focuses intensely on the specialized knowledge and skills needed for a particular profession.

Examples include:

* Medicine (M.D., D.O.): Requires extensive pre-med coursework, then a rigorous medical school program.

* Law (J.D., LL.B.): Usually requires a bachelor's degree as a prerequisite before embarking on law school.

* Dentistry (D.D.S., D.M.D.): Similar to medicine, requiring pre-dental coursework and then professional dental school.

* Pharmacy (Pharm.D.): A doctorate-level degree focused on the practice of pharmacy.

* Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.): Requires pre-vet coursework and a professional veterinary school program.

* Architecture (B.Arch, M.Arch): While sometimes a bachelor's, it's often a master's-level program specifically focusing on architecture, rather than a general building design.

Essentially, a first professional degree signals the completion of the education needed to begin practicing a profession, and often opens the door to licensure or certification.