The most commonly completed graduate degree is the master's degree. Generally, completion of this degree takes one to two years. Combining academic, research and practical elements, students working towards a master's degree often complete course work and a thesis or an internship. Master's degrees are often used to provide students with practical experience and specialized knowledge in a given field. Examples include a master of arts, master of science and master of business administration. An undergraduate degree, such as a bachelor's, is generally required to enroll in a master's program.
Certain professions requires the completion of a professional degree. Examples include the doctor of medicine degree for practicing medicine and the juris doctor degree for practicing law. Professional doctorates can take up to six years to complete, and usually include a combination of applied research, course work and supervised clinical or field work. A bachelor's degree may not be required to enroll in some professional doctorate programs, although completing at least two years of undergraduate study is often a prerequisite.
Research doctoral degrees can be completed in a variety of academic fields, such as history, political science or biology. Students who have completed a first professional degree can also complete research doctorates in their fields, such as medicine and law. Research doctorates allow students to conduct independent research and can take several years to complete. They generally involve in-depth study towards a new contribution to a discipline. The most common doctorate is the doctor of philosophy, commonly referred as a Ph.D., and is the highest college degree.
Post-graduate or post-baccalaureate certificate programs are short-term courses of study. Students are generally awarded a certificate of advanced study for non-degree graduate studies. Certificates can be awarded in both academic and professional disciplines. Common areas of study include education, visual and performing arts, languages and linguistics, religious vocations, social sciences and health professions. Graduates of doctorate programs can also complete post-doctoral education, including specialized training programs and internships leading towards a certification.