STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics):
* Engineering (various disciplines): Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Software, Biomedical, etc. Almost all engineering roles require at least a bachelor's degree, and many advanced roles require a master's or PhD.
* Computer Science: Software engineers, data scientists, database administrators, cybersecurity analysts, web developers. A bachelor's degree is typically required, with master's degrees becoming increasingly common.
* Medical Professions: Doctors (MD, DO), dentists, veterinarians, pharmacists, physical therapists, occupational therapists. These require extensive education, including medical school (MD/DO) or professional schools for other professions.
* Natural Sciences: Biologists, chemists, physicists, geologists. A bachelor's degree is a minimum, often with further education needed for research positions.
Business and Finance:
* Accountancy: Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) generally require a bachelor's degree in accounting.
* Finance: Financial analysts, investment bankers, actuaries. Typically require a bachelor's degree, with master's degrees (like an MBA) being advantageous for advancement.
* Management: Project managers, operations managers, human resource managers. While some experience-based routes exist, a bachelor's degree is increasingly common.
* Marketing: Marketing analysts, marketing managers. A bachelor's degree in marketing or a related field is usually required.
Healthcare (beyond medical professions):
* Nursing: Registered nurses (RNs) require an associate's degree or a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN).
* Social Work: Social workers need a bachelor's or master's degree in social work (BSW or MSW).
* Therapy: Psychologists, counselors, speech-language pathologists. These professions require at least a master's degree, and often a doctorate.
Education:
* Teaching: Most teaching positions, especially at the K-12 level, require at least a bachelor's degree in education or a related field, plus state-specific certification. Higher education teaching often requires a master's or doctorate.
Law and Government:
* Law: Lawyers require a Juris Doctor (JD) degree.
* Government positions: Many government roles, especially those in policy or management, require a bachelor's degree.
Arts and Humanities:
* While some jobs in these fields are accessible with experience and a portfolio, many professional roles (e.g., curators, archivists, editors) prefer or require a bachelor's degree.
Important Note: This is not an exhaustive list. The requirement for a degree is also evolving. Some jobs that previously didn't require a degree may now prefer or require one due to increased competition. Furthermore, some fields offer apprenticeship or vocational training programs as alternatives to a four-year degree. Always check the specific job description for the education requirements.