1. Certificate: A certificate is awarded after completing a focused program of study, typically less than a year.
2. Associate's Degree: This is a 2-year degree typically from a community college or junior college. There are Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), and other variations.
3. Bachelor's Degree: This is a 4-year degree from a college or university. This is the most common undergraduate degree.
4. Master's Degree: This is a postgraduate degree requiring a bachelor's degree for admission. It typically takes 1-2 years of study.
5. Doctorate (PhD, EdD, etc.): This is the highest academic degree and requires a master's degree for admission. It usually involves significant research and a dissertation. There are different types of doctorates, such as PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), EdD (Doctor of Education), and professional doctorates (e.g., MD, JD). The specific ranking among different types of doctorates can be context-dependent.
It's important to note that this is a general guideline. Some professional degrees (like MD, JD, or DDS) may be considered equivalent to or even higher than a PhD in terms of educational rigor and professional standing, even though they might not follow this exact progression. The specific value and prestige of a degree also depend heavily on the institution that grants it and the field of study.