A college degree or certificate is an extended opportunity to further one's education and learning. However, gaining a degree opens many more doors than a certificate for employment opportunities and advancement in one's chosen field. But with the growing popularity of certifications combined with college degrees, many students are now considering the option of earning everything they need in one go. College credits are available from a wide range of educational facilities for individuals who wish to advance their education, as are certifications. Considering that there are many schools to choose from, it’s important to pick the one that best meets your needs and budget.
First, it is extremely important to decide on your major before choosing a training course or college. You may be more limited in the variety of programs you can choose from if you decide only to earn a certification, but there are still lucrative options at every certification or degree level.
Just some of your options include:
- Liberal Arts
- Business
- Healthcare
- Science/Technology
These days, there are also many options available to students who wish to earn their degrees online. There are colleges and universities that offer online courses and entire programs to students all over the United States and even the world. Some of these courses are entirely online and a-synchronous, meaning that students can watch lectures, take quizzes and tests, and complete projects at any time. Some of them are only partly online, allowing trainees to access lectures via the internet and use a "virtual classroom" during breaks or early mornings on weekends, but requiring that they attend in-person sessions once or twice a year. And a number of online institutions now offer programs that allow students to earn a double degree.
In a double-degree program, you can earn degrees from institutions that offer accelerated programs that allow you to earn a bachelor’s and master's both at the same time. Due to the fact that these programs require a more complex curriculum, they usually take longer to complete than the bachelor’s degree itself would, but they take less time than the two programs would if taken separately.
If you wish to earn a degree through an accelerated program, you may require a bit more help or need to refrain from working during the duration of the program. The reason for this is that these degrees take up significantly more time than normal degree programs. Considering that the program is much faster than a typical college experience, some students choose to take them because they are able to move credits from prior programs they have taken or completed. To do this, you must demonstrate that you have successfully completed courses equivalent to those in the online degree program you are applying for.
Online learners have more options for degrees than ever before. You can earn degrees online in many different areas such as business, medical care, information technology, education, cyber security, accounting, and more.
A student should look into possible occupations before enrolling in a program. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) uses data on average pay and predicted job growth.
A two-year associate degree exposes learners to academic and employment subjects, as well as helping them to complete the general education that most universities require for a bachelor’s degree. Career programs prepare students for careers in healthcare, manufacturing, paralegal and law studies, etc. Nearly every degree a students could gain at the bachelor’s level, they can instead choose to earn as an associate degree and gain access to the work force more quickly.
Most associate programs require a minimum of 60 credit hours. And, after earning an associate degree, a student can transfer to a four-year college to complete their bachelor's degree.
Bachelor's degrees prepare graduates for entry-level roles in diverse fields including business, entrepreneurship, education, engineering, psychology, social services, and medicine. Students can take general education prerequisites, courses in their major, and even electives with an online bachelor's degree.
Bachelor's degree programs usually require 120 credit hours and take full-time students four years to complete. An accelerated program or a transfer program may allow students to earn their degree sooner. A bachelor's degree holder can enter the labor force or pursue a master's degree.
A graduate degree provides advanced training in a particular field. There are many online colleges offering master's degrees in a variety of fields including social services, nursing, education, and modern technology.
A master's degree normally takes two years to complete, but you must have already completed a bachelor’s to gain entry. Courses consist of those in your chosen field of expertise, and master's exams or a master's thesis. Graduates often move into decision-making and management positions. Managers, college administrators, nurse practitioners, and medical social workers might be expected to have a master’s degree to find employment.
As the highest academic degree, a doctorate prepares graduates for leadership positions and scholastic functions. Doctorates require a great deal of dedication. In most programs, students take 4-5 years to finish their education, usually after already earning a master's degree.
Students enroll in doctoral programs, take exams, and prepare and defend dissertations. Graduates can hold a variety of positions, including tenure-track professor, researcher, psychologist, nurse practitioner, and CEO, among others.