How to Choose a College Degree Level

Taking Your Online Education to the Right Level

The decision to enter an online education program is a great one for so many reasons. There's the convenience that working with an online schedule can bring you, allowing so many people to continue with part-time jobs and even full-time careers while they earn their degrees. There's the flexibility that gives adults with children the possibility of syncing their calendars and getting all their homework done. And, since you do not have to be in the same geographical location as your college, you can take online classes from a university located anywhere and save the cost of gas and transportation.

Now that you have decided to move ahead with your education and enhance your career options, you will have to decide what level of online degree is best for you. There are many colleges and universities offering classes, certifications and degrees online, so your choices are virtually unlimited. However, you will have to settle on seeking an a degree level; Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, MBA or PhD, among other possibilities. Knowing a little bit about what these online degree levels mean will help you make an informed decision.

• Associate's Degree: An Associate's degree can usually be obtained in two years, and coursework is similar to the types you would take in the first two years of a four year degree. You could earn an Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree, with an AA requiring you to take more classes in the humanities and arts, and the AS degree with greater requirements in the sciences and math. Some students choose this degree level for technical training or a vocation program. Other online students seek this degree level because they want to complete a formal degree, but hope to transfer those credits to another program in the future and apply them toward a higher degree. If this is your plan, be sure to enroll in an Associate's program that is designated as having transfer credits. These programs can be found online through both community colleges or a university.
• Bachelor's Degree: Most professionals in the workforce with a college degree have earned a Bachelor's degree. There are also two types of Bachelor's degrees; Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS), with the first emphasizing social sciences, arts or humanities and the latter focusing on life sciences, physical sciences or math. A Bachelor's degree is sometimes obtained in four years, but it is not unusual for it to take five years or a bit more than that, depending on the pace of the individual student. A small percentage of graduates with a Bachelor's degree go on to transfer those earned credits towards a graduate degree of Master's or PhD.
• Master's Degree: A graduate degree such as a Master of Arts (MA) is a specialized degree in a variety of areas, and is awarded by a university. Entrance to a Master's program usually requires having first earned a Bachelor's degree, and can be just classes or may incorporate research. Most Master's degrees take one to three years to complete, and some students then moving on to a doctoral program. Other variations on a Master's degree are Master of Science (MS) and Master of Business Administration (MBA).
• PhD or Doctorate: A Doctoral degree is the highest level obtainable for an education degree. PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy and can apply to multiple disciplines both in the arts and the sciences. A Doctorate degree is granted through a college or university and for someone who already has their Master's degree can take two to three years of full time study and research.

In addition to degree levels, there are options in Certificate or Diploma programs as well. Even someone with a pre-existing degree may take courses in a training program to increase their technical or professional skills in a specific area. Earning a Certificate can boost your competitiveness and add to your resume qualifications. Furthermore, there are numerous variations to the broad descriptions of levels given here, and your personal career goals will define best what specific degree and degree level you go for. Talk to guidance staff at the online college or university you are interested in to get more information about their programs and to find the best fit of a degree for your individual needs.