High School/Secondary School:
* High School Diploma/Secondary School Diploma: This is the most common title awarded upon successful completion of secondary education. Requirements for obtaining this vary by country and sometimes even by state/province.
* GED (General Educational Development) Diploma: This is an alternative credential earned by passing a standardized test demonstrating high school equivalency. It's often pursued by individuals who didn't complete traditional high school.
* International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Awarded to students who successfully complete the IB program, a rigorous pre-university curriculum recognized internationally.
Post-Secondary/Higher Education:
* Associate's Degree: Awarded after approximately two years of study at a community college or junior college. Common specializations are indicated (e.g., Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS)).
* Bachelor's Degree: Awarded after approximately four years of undergraduate study at a university or college. The specific title reflects the major field of study (e.g., Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)). Some institutions might use slightly different abbreviations or titles.
* Master's Degree: Awarded after completing a graduate program typically requiring one to two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. Similar to bachelor's degrees, specific titles indicate the field (e.g., Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA)).
* Doctorate (PhD, EdD, etc.): The highest academic degree, requiring several years of advanced study and original research beyond a master's degree. Different types of doctorates exist, depending on the field (e.g., Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Education (EdD), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD)). A PhD generally signifies research-focused studies, while others may focus on professional practice.
* Professional Degrees: These degrees are focused on specific professions and often require practical experience in addition to academic study (e.g., MD, JD, DDS - Doctor of Dental Surgery).
How are these determined?
* Completion of Required Coursework: Students must successfully complete a prescribed set of courses and achieve a minimum GPA (Grade Point Average).
* Fulfillment of Program Requirements: Beyond coursework, some programs may require internships, theses, dissertations, comprehensive exams, or other specific projects.
* Successful Defense of Thesis/Dissertation: For Master's and Doctoral degrees, a student typically needs to write a thesis or dissertation, showcasing original research or scholarly work, and defend it before a committee of faculty members.
* Graduation Requirements of the Institution: Each institution establishes its own graduation requirements, which might include minimum credit hours, specific courses, and overall GPA.
In summary, the graduation title reflects the level of education achieved, the field of study, and the successful completion of the program's requirements. Always refer to the specific institution's guidelines for accurate information.