An associate's degree requires about 60 credit hours of study to complete, and full-time students can usually complete this in about two years of dedicated study. Students can receive a degree specialized to their particular line of study, such as an Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS) degree. Professional versions of these degrees are also available, in which a more focused area of study is completed, such as graphic design or fine arts.
A bachelor's degree is the most popular of all the degree programs and the next step up from an associate's. Bachelor's programs require about 120 credit hours, typically taking a dedicated student about four years to complete. Like associate's degrees, a bachelor's degree can be awarded as Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Science (BS). More specialized degrees are available under this program, such as the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).
Also known as a graduate program, a master's can only be sought after completing a bachelor's degree. Master's degrees require an additional one to two years of additional coursework, and students are usually required to write a thesis paper or apply work experience before this degree is awarded. Since these are the next step up from a bachelor's degree, the titles are now Master of Arts (MA) and Master of Science (MS), with the same specializations available.
Although this is technically a degree available under the master's category, it's becoming so popular in recent years that it deserves a bit of separation. The MBA is a master's degree in business administration, usually with a specific field of focus, such as health care or technology, and is completed in about two years of dedicated study. MBAs have become a must have for those who wish to excel in the ever-growing business world, and are one of the most popular types of master's degrees.
A doctorate is the highest level of advanced education, earned after a master's has been awarded. Docorate's are usually achieved by completing one to three years of study, which include a series of tests and a written thesis or dissertation. Commonly awarded to those interested in careers in research or university level teaching.
If you're entering occupational fields that require licensing, such as medicine or law, you will be required to have a professional degree. You cannot work in your chosen field of study until you have earned this degree, and certain occupations have more than one level. Often, a master's or doctorate degree is considered a professional degree, but there are some occupations that only require an associate's or bachelor's. In some cases, additional study and training is necessary in order to earn this degree and become licensed.