Your Search: Types of Degrees

So what are the different types of degrees? What are the types of degrees in college? What types of degrees are there? Learn about all types of degrees here.

Associate's Degrees

AA (Associate of Arts)
A liberal arts-based degree meant to prepare students for transfer to a four-year college or university.

AS (Associate of Science)
An applied degree, meant to prepare students for entry level technical positions or transfer to a four-year college or university in a scientific-based field.

APS (Associate of Political Science)
A degree focusing on political structure and government relations, and a primer for civil servants and those pursuing further study in politics or law.

AFA (Associate of Fine Arts)
Focusing on the creative arts, this degree offers students showcase opportunities and an avenue to advance toward a four-year degree.

APS (Associate of Public Service)
A program designed to train for entry-level positions in public and social-oriented programs, or to prepare students for further study at a four-year institution.

AAB (Associate of Applied Business)
A core training program to prepare students for business careers ranging from small business management to retail management and supervision.

AAA (Associate of Applied Arts)
A career-oriented degree designed to train students for entry-level positions in their desired field of humanities or creative arts.

AAS (Associate of Applied Science)
A program with very few general education requirements, focusing more on specialized training aspects for students wishing to join the work force immediately.

AIT (Associate of Industrial Technology)
A more skill-oriented degree, preparing students for entry-level positions in technology-related fields, or for further study at a four-year college or university.

AOS (Associate of Occupational Studies)
Requiring no general education or liberal arts classes, this degree focuses solely on training for the field you have chosen to enter upon graduation.

ABA (Associate of Business Administration)
Focusing on business theory and project-planning, this degree prepares students for management and administrative positions, or for further advancement at a college or university.

AAT (Associate of Arts in Teaching)
A degree meant for those either training for a paraprofessional career (i.e. teacher's aide) or wishing to transfer into a four-year degree and licensure.

AF (Associate of Forestry)
With lots of training in mapping, wildlife sciences, and field work, this degree prepares students for a career in managing, developing, and harvesting forests.

AT (Associate of Technology)
A career-focused degree, built to train students for careers in any number of technology-related fields.

AE (Associate of Engineering; or, in some cases, Associate in Electronics Engineering Technology)
A practical program with lots of training in how to apply math and science principles to an engineering career.

AES (Associate of Engineering Science)
A course that provides pre-engineering majors with the foundation they need to transfer to a four-year college or university.

AET (Associate in Engineering Technology)
A technical program designed to give focused, hands-on training to students looking to enter the workforce immediately with an entry-level career in construction and engineering.

AN (Associate of Nursing)
Also known as an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) or an ASN (Associate of Science in Nursing), this two-year nursing degree focuses on technical skills and prepares students for the NCLEX exam and licensure as a Registered Nurse.

ASPT-APT (Associate in Physical Therapy)
I don't know yet.

AGS (Associate of General Studies)
A generalized two-year degree, focusing on general education classes, to prepare students for transfer to a four-year college or university.

Interested in finding schools offering accredited online associate degrees?

Bachelor Degrees

BASc (Bachelor of Applied Science: also BAS, B. App. Sci., or BS)
An undergraduate degree awarded for a course of study related to solving practical problems in scientific or technological fields.

BArch (Bachelor of Architecture)
A professional four-year study course involving both studio and practicum classes, this degree grants qualification for the Architect Registration Examination – as opposed to the B.S. Arch or B.A. Arch pre-professional degrees, both of which call for completion of a Master's degree for licensing.

BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
An undergraduate degree awarded for any specialization of business studies.

BComm (Bachelor of Commerce: also BCA, Bachelor of Commerce and Administration)
An undergraduate degree in a field related to the mathematics and statistics of business, such as management, accounting, or economics.

B.CompSc. (Bachelor of Computer Science: also BCS)
Stressing theory and mathematical foundations over hyper-specialized technical skills, this undergraduate degree prepares students for a career in software and hardware development.

BD (Bachelor of Divinity: renamed MDiv, Master of Divinities, in most seminaries)
A professional degree related to the study of divinity or related subjects, such as theology or religious studies, this prepares students for a career in ministry.

BDes (Bachelor of Design)
An undergraduate academic degree awarded to students for a course of study related to most practical visual arts, from graphics and game design to interior and industrial design.

BEd (Bachelor of Education)
An academic degree involving courses in curriculum and instruction, which prepares students for certification and licensure as a primary or secondary school teacher.

BEng or BE (Bachelor of Engineering)
A professional degree in the vein of Applied Sciences, focusing on training students for a career in one of many specializations in the engineering field.

BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
An undergraduate degree awarded to students training to professionally enter the world of visual and creative arts.

BMath (Bachelor of Mathematics)
A rare degree, compared to the BS or BA in Math, this is awarded at some institutions to students having completed a course in mathematics or related studies, such as computer science or statistics.

BMus (Bachelor of Music)
A degree given to students who have completed a course at a college, university, or musical conservatory in the study of music theory, usually accompanied with proficiency in a chosen instrument and intent to enter the music world either professionally or academically.

BPharm (Bachelor of Pharmacy)
Given to students who have completed a course of study of pharmacy, this degree is mandatory for working in the field and a prerequisite in working toward one's licensure.

BTech (Bachelor of Technology)
A degree given to students who, in addition to Bachelor of Science requirements for their major, have also undertaken an internship or a similar type of supplemental field practice-based training.

LLB (Bachelor of Laws)
A form of Liberal Arts undergraduate degree focusing on law, and the first major step toward obtaining sufficient education to pursue a career in practicing law.

Master's Degrees

MAS (Master of Applied Science: also MASc or MAppSc)
A focused and professional degree for those who have spent extra time and coursework in an applied science field after obtaining a Bachelors; this degree is much more common in English-speaking countries outside of the US.

M. Arch I or II (Masters of Architecture)
Professional degrees in architecture that, along with internship, fully qualify students for the Architecture Registration Examination for official licensure.

MA (Master of Arts)
An academic postgraduate degree awarded for further study in any discipline related to the arts, humanities, or social sciences.

MBA (Master of Business Administration)
A professional degree, often times earned online or while simultaneously working, which satisfy requirements for moving up in the world of business and executive management.

M.Comm. (Master of Commerce: also MCom)
A postgraduate degree in fields related to commerce, such as accounting or economics.

MCA (Master of Computer Applications)
A professional theory-focused degree in computer science, awarded mostly in India.

MCJ (Master of Criminal Justice)
A postgraduate degree in criminal justice that can either serve as a terminal degree or as the foundation for a doctoral program.

M.Div. (Master of Divinity)
The most common degree at seminaries, this is the first professional-level degree in divinity and is the primary qualification for ordination into the priesthood licensure for professional ministry in most Christian sectors.

M.Ed. (Master of Education: also MAEd or Ed.M.)
An academic program following a curriculum/instruction, counseling, or administrative track in education; it is standard prerequisite for counseling and principalship, and, in some states, even for teaching licensure.

M.Eng (Master of Engineering)
A professional, coursework-based degree awarded to those studying in the field of engineering.

MEM (Master of Environmental Management)
An advanced and specialized degree designed for students interested in pursuing a career in environmental policy, education, consulting, or management of environmental issues.

MFA (Master of Fine Arts)
A terminal degree awarded to students after significant study and coursework in the visual, creative, and performing arts.

MSF (Master of Science in Finance)
A professional degree developed to prepare students for careers in the world of finance, such as investment management and financial analysis.

MHA (Master of Health Management)
A work-focused professional degree meant for students aiming to advance or move into a career in administration within a health care institution.

LL.M. (Master of Laws: also LLM)
An advanced academic research degree for students who have already obtained a professional degree in law.

MA (Master of Arts in Liberal Studies: also MLA, MLS, or MALS)
An academic degree offered with the intention of imbuing students with a well-rounded interdisciplinary study of the liberal arts and humanities.

MLIS (Master of Library and Information Science)
A somewhat vocational degree, this is the standard prerequisite for most professional librarian positions.

MMR (Master of Marketing Research)
An offshoot of an MBA, this professional degree focuses solely on the business aspect of marketing research.

MM (Master of Management)
Also an alternate to the MBA, this degree is designed for students interested solely in the management aspect of business studies.

MMath (Master of Mathematics)
An undergraduate course in the UK, while a graduate course in North America, this is granted to students after an extended course of study in mathematics.

M. Mus. (Master of Music: also MM)
A professional and academic degree, this combines specialized practice in an instrument with extra study in theory and history, preparing students for professional performing or teaching.

MN (Master of Nursing)
A vocational graduate program in which student with a non-nursing Bachelor's degree can train to be an advanced practice nurse.

MOB (Master of Organizational Behavior)
A derivative of the MBA, this program focuses on business studies related to human resources.

MPharm (Master of Pharmacy)
In many countries, this is the requisite professional degree for registration to practice as a pharmacist.

MPhil (Master of Philosophy)
A research degree, this is often awarded to Ph.D. candidates after having completed their thesis but before defending their dissertation.

MPT (Master of Physical Therapy)
A professional degree awarded to students who have completed an extended course of study in physical therapy and are ready to take the Physical Therapy national licensure exam.

MPA (Master of Public Administration: similar to MPAff or MPP)
A professional public affair degree for training in public policy and urban management at the local, national, and international level.

MPH (Master of Public Health)
A professional degree training students to enter the field of public health, focusing on practice more so than theory.

MS (Master of Science: also M.Sc.)This academic postgraduate degree is awarded for an extensive course of lecture-based study in the realm of physical and social sciences.

MSW (Master of Social Work)
A graduate degree combining study with apprenticeship and field experience to train students for a career in social work.

M.Th. (Master of Theology)
Similar to a Master of Divinity, this graduate degree is awarded for research in the field of religious studies.

MUP (Master of Urban Planning)
A professional postgraduate degree designed to prepare students for a career in urban planning.

Doctoral Degrees

DOAM (Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine)
The highest degree and credential offered in the US for acupuncture and Eastern medicine.

D. Arch. (Doctor of Architecture)
The highest degree offered in the field of architecture.

D. Arts (Doctor of Arts: also Art D.)
An alternative to the Doctor of Philosophy, this degree comes in many disciplines as a highest-level academic degree.

Au. D (Doctor of Audiology)
The first degree for practice as a professional audiologist.

DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)
A research-type degree, focusing on business practice and theory.

JCD (Juris Canonici Doctor: also Doctor of Canonical Law)
The highest degree level awarded to students with extensive study in the canon law of the Roman Catholic Church; this degree is only granted within ecclesiastic universities.

DC (Doctor of Chiropractics: also DCM)A working professional degree in chiropractic medicine.

DD (Doctor of Divinity)
The highest degree awarded in divinity, this degree grants students the license to teach Christian studies or related religious subjects.

DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery)
What we commonly think of when we think of “dentists,” this professional degree is prerequisite for practicing Dentistry.

DHA (Doctor of Health Administration)
An advanced degree for students pursuing an advanced professional administrative position in the field of health care.

DLS (Doctor of Liberal Studies)
This advanced academic degree builds upon students' previous disciplines and focuses on building critical and creative thinking skills.

DM (Doctor of Management)
An advanced degree awarded for research and study in the field of business management.

Ed. D (Doctor of Education: also D.Ed.)A professional degree that trains students for a career in advanced academic or administrative positions in education.

D. Eng (Doctor of Engineering: also Eng. D)
This is simply a high-level degree based on extensive study, research, and contribution to engineering.

DFA (Doctor of Fine Arts)
An honorary degree in the fine arts field, for those who have made a significant contribution within the working world.

JD (Juris Doctor, or Teacher of Law)
A terminal professional degree that prepares students for the practice of law.

MD (Doctor of Medicine)
A doctoral degree for physicians and the first professional degree to practice in North America.

D Min. (Doctor of Ministry)
An advanced degree designed to train students in a career as a minister, with focus on church leadership and applied theology.

DML (Doctor of Modern Languages)
An advanced degree, this focuses on two modern languages and their respective literatures and cultures for research and study.

DMA (Doctor of Music Arts: also D. Mus. A or A Mus. D)
A doctoral degree in music, which blends the application of composition and performance with the academic study of history and theory to give students a good foundation for professorship.

DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice: also DrNP)
An advanced professional nursing degree focusing on the clinical and medical practice aspects of the profession.

DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine)A graduate degree for physicians and surgeons, based around intensive study of the musculoskeletal system.

PharmD (Doctor of Pharmacy)
A professional degree that prepares students for a career in pharmacy practice.

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Among the highest degree levels available, this advanced academic degree is offered in many disciplines of science and humanities, and is often the prerequisite for teaching a subject at the university level.

DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy)
A professional degree for students aiming to enter into a career as a physical therapist.

PsyD (Doctor of Psychology)
A professional advanced degree allowing students to enter the psychology practice.

DPA (Doctor of Public Administration)
An applied research degree for students interested in working within the structure of government administration.

DPH (Doctor of Public Health)
An advanced degree for medical doctors pursuing a professional career within the sphere of public health.

D Sc. (Doctor of Science: also SD or Dr. Sc.)
A research-based degree in the sciences, and more rare but roughly equivalent to the Ph.D.

D. Soc. Sc. (Doctor of Social Sciences)
An advanced academic degree that is gaining interest and popularity, it is specially tailored to focus on work in the field of social sciences.

DSW (Doctor of Social Work)
An advanced professional degree for social workers with extra training and research.

D Tech (Doctor of Technology)
The highest level degree for work and research in the field of technology.

Th.D. (Doctor of Theology: also D.Th.)
A research-based degree requiring the completion of a thesis and dissertation, within the subject of theology (most commonly Christian studies).