Before beginning the search for the schools to which you will be applying, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the different types of schools and degrees they offer. Types of Degrees Certificate or diploma Technical and vocational programs sometimes offer certificates and diplomas. Such programs vary in length from a few months to two years. The certificate and diploma are not degrees and are below the associate degree. Associate degree Associate of Art (AA) Associate of Science (AS) Associate of Applied Science (AAS) There are two types of associate degrees: Academic This includes the AA and the AS. These degrees are awarded to students for program completion in the Liberal Arts and Sciences. The coursework is similar to the first two years of a four-year Bachelor program. After obtaining such a degree, such students can transfer to a four-year college and complete the remaining two years for a Bachelor degree. Vocational/terminal The AAS falls under this category. This degree is awarded to students completing technological or vocational programs. These programs prepare students for employment. Bachelor's degree Depending on the curriculum, the Bachelor's degree requires four to five years of study. Some examples of Bachelor's degrees are: Bachelor of Arts (BA) Bachelor of Science (BS) Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) The Bachelor's degree is also known as the Baccalaureate degree. Students take courses in the liberal arts (also called general education or core curriculum), courses in a major, and electives. Graduate degrees: Master's degree Before studying for the Master's degree, a Bachelor's degree is required. Depending on the field of study, the degree takes one to two years to complete. Some examples of Master's degrees are: Master of Arts (MA) Master of Science (MS) Master of Business Administration (MBA) Master of Social Work (MSW) Other degrees Some other graduate degrees require at least six years of study (undergraduate and graduate), such as: Law (JD) Dentistry (DDS/DMD) Medical Doctor (MD) Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Doctorate Study in a Doctoral degree program requires coursework and independent research. After these are completed, written-up original research is presented in the form of a student doctoral dissertation, to a group of specialists in the field. A doctorate can take many years to complete and is considered the highest degree in research academic fields. A student must first have a Bachelor degree and most doctoral programs require a Master degree before beginning doctoral study. However, in some circumstances an outstanding student with a Bachelor's degree may enroll in a doctoral program. Some examples of doctoral degrees include: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) Regarding any program, the length of completion depends on full or part time attendance and rate of passing classes. Types of Schools Junior colleges, community colleges, two-year colleges Junior colleges were originally established as transfer schools. These schools offer courses parallel to the freshman and sophomore offerings at four-year colleges. Two-year colleges offer various kinds of programs: associate degree programs associate degree and transfer programs (continuation at a four-year college) career-oriented programs for finding employment (some awarding a certificate or associate degree) non-credit courses Most students attending two-year colleges do so because the tuition is generally low and most students live at home. For this reason, some schools may or may not have on-campus housing facilities. Many of these students combine school and work. Some students who may not have done well in high school, for example, choose a two-year school to "test the water. " Other students prefer a concentrated training or preparation for entry into technical and skilled occupations that do not require a four-year education. Do not buy into the myth that these schools are "inferior" or "not real colleges." Some technical programs take less time to complete because they are "work-force oriented." That is, the training is the most important part of the curriculum; there is less emphasis on the liberal arts. As with any type of school, it is important to research these programs to see if they suit your education and career goals. University Colleges University colleges award the Bachelor's degree. They also offer a few graduate programs and may award Master's degrees. Four-year colleges Four-year colleges offer programs leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) or a Bachelor of Science degree (BS). Typically, these schools have on-campus housing, though some students commute. Liberal arts colleges offer the BA. This program combines a broad four-year study in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences, with a major in a particular area. Specialized colleges or schools, such as vocational/technical colleges, offer the BS. Technical schools prepare students for entry-level employment, self-employment, and continued career training or retraining. Additionally, they may offer programs that do not necessarily take four years to complete. They have less emphasis on the broad liberal arts and focus more on specific career preparation. Universities typically include a liberal arts college and several other specialized colleges, such as business or medicine. Both the BA and the BS are available at universities. Sometimes the individual colleges have their own set of entrance requirements for freshmen. Universities may also offer programs at the graduate level, leading to the MS/MA, Ph.D., LL.D., or MD.