Types of Degrees and Schools
Choosing from among the seemingly endless variety of college degrees that are available can be a daunting endeavor. Add to that the decision about where to attend school, and the whole process can be overwhelming. To help make the options clearer, this article will explain the difference between the types of degrees, the major categories of degrees and the types of schools one can attend.
Arts vs. Science Degrees
Degrees are usually offered as either arts degrees or science degrees: Bachelor's of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor's of Science (B.S.) degrees, for instance. This is true for most associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees. The difference between the two is that science degrees require more subject-specific coursework, have a more technical nature and are often engineering, science or technically related. Arts degrees allow a wider breadth of courses to be taken, thus providing a more flexible education. Within one school, it is not uncommon to see the same major be offered as an Arts degree and as a Science degree.
Choosing one type of degree over the other can be confusing but students should let their interests and career goals be a guide. One student, for instance, may know they want to go into a medical field and so will choose to earn a B.S. in Biology. Another student may want to work in the business side of a scientifically oriented company such as pharmaceuticals and may, therefore opt to earn a B.A. in Biology and take electives in the business field. Students unsure of their future career, may want to choose a Arts degree to allow them to take a greater diversity of courses, leaving open more career options.
Major Categories of Degrees
There are hundreds of degrees available so it is often difficult for students to make a decision. Below are the major categories of degrees followed by some of the most popular majors in each category.
Social Sciences - Psychology, Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Sociology, Political Science & Government, International Relations, Philosophy, Religious Studies
Math & Science - Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agricultural Sciences, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Science, Mathematics
Liberal Arts - English, Communications, Advertising, Journalism, Foreign Languages, Linguistics, History, Sociology
Visual and Performing Arts - Art, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Film, Radio, Television, Photography, Music, Performing Arts
Business - Accounting, Marketing, Finance, Management, International Business
Professional - Education, Law, Medicine, Healthcare, Nursing, Veterinary Medicine
Vocational - Culinary Arts, Construction Trades, Mechanical Technicians, Computer Technicians, Cosmetologists
Types of Schools
When selecting a school, it helps to understand what the various types of degree-granting schools are and how they differ. They are listed below along with a brief description.
Universities – Universities offer a large number of academic degree programs covering many disciplines. They typically offer bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Many may offer associate degrees within different colleges or campuses. Each state has one or more public state universities which are funded in part by the state and thus charge lower tuition than privately run universities.
Colleges – Most, but not all colleges, are private schools that have a more limited offering than universities. Many colleges specialize in one or more areas such as business, engineering, liberal arts, etc. They typically offer bachelor's and master's degrees and sometimes associate's and doctoral degrees. Within a university, a college is a department that offers degrees in a specific discipline.
Community Colleges – These schools are two-year public schools that offer associates degrees and other diplomas and certifications. Tuition is substantially lower than at public and private four-year schools. Their programs usually include a wide variety of vocational options as well as general education programs to prepare students who will transfer to four-year schools.
Career Schools – Career schools offer programs that teach job-focused skills in a variety of career fields including business, medical, dental, legal, design, electronics, computers, and construction trades among others. Graduates earn an associate's degree, diploma or certification. In some cases a career school, such as a career college, may offer four-year degrees.
Technical Schools – A subset of career schools, these schools offer programs that teach hands-on job skills to prepare their students to enter the workforce in a technical or trade occupation. Programs include training in fields such as computer support, automotive repair, appliance repair, construction trades and mechanics and repair. Programs typically result in an associate's degree, diploma or certification.
Online Schools – The fastest growing type of school are those that offer degree programs via distance learning methods. The size and scope of their offerings vary by school with the biggest schools offering as many degree types as a large university. Schools that are 100% online are almost always privately run and are often for-profit institutions. Many public institutions offer online studies either as a standalone degree program or in conjunction with on-campus studies.
Quick Tips
- Research careers - When choosing a major, determine actual jobs a graduate will be able to obtain.
- Switch majors early - Changing majors should be done as early as possible to minimize extra coursework.
- Understand arts degree limitations - If considering an arts degree (A.A., B.A., M.A.) in a field where a science degree (A.S., B.S., M.S.) is an option, make sure to understand what jobs are limited to those holding a science degree.
- Actual private school costs may be less than expected - Private schools should not be ruled out because of tuition prices since many students receive financial aid that substantially reduces the actual amount paid.
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