| Degree | Time required* | Schools offering degree | General purpose | Sample academic programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificates | 1–2 years | Two-year colleges, some four-year institutions, and specialty institutions | Prepare students with specialized skills for work | Automotive maintenance, construction technology, practical nursing, medical assisting |
| Associate of arts, associate of science, associate of applied science | 2 years | Two-year colleges and some four-year institutions | Prepare students for work or for transfer to four-year colleges | Fire science, emergency medical technology, sports and fitness management, early childhood education, visual and performing arts, science, computer science |
| Bachelor of arts, bachelor of science | 4 years | Four-year institutions and some two-year colleges | Prepare students for work or postgraduate education | Physics, psychology, literature, engineering, nursing, history, mathematics, dance, business, foreign languages |
| Master’s degree | 1–3 years (depending on degree type) | Four-year institutions and some specialty institutions | Prepare students for entry into fields requiring advanced training | Social work, counseling, accounting, business administration, geology, nursing and teaching specialties |
| Doctoral degree | 3–6 years (depending on degree type) | Universities and some specialty institutions | Prepare students for entry into fields requiring a doctoral degree for teaching, research, or practice | School or university administration, psychology, science, pharmacy, physical therapy |
| Professional degree | 3–5 years (depending on degree type) | Universities and some specialty institutions | Prepare students for entry into fields requiring advanced training for practice | Medicine (all specialties), law, chiropractic, audiology, veterinary, podiatry, optometry |
| *Note: Times listed to complete degrees are minimum times. Some students take longer, depending on their life circumstances. | ||||