Introduction: Degrees Explained

A degree is a formal credential that shows you’ve completed a program of study at a college or university. Different degrees serve different goals: some get you ready to transfer, some launch you straight into a career, and some take you deep into your chosen field (hello, graduate school).

Degrees fall roughly into two different categories: undergraduate and graduate. Let’s break down the major types of degrees from shortest to longest.

After reading this chapter you will be able to:

1. Identify the major types of degrees (Certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral)
2. Differentiate between undergraduate and graduate degrees
3. Recognize different course formats (in-person, online, hybrid) and the pros and cons of each.

Undergraduate Degrees

These degrees include associate and bachelor’s degrees. While your academic career may end after achieving an undergraduate degree, you may decide to go onto graduate school.

🎓 Certificate

• • • Length: A few months to a year
    • skill-focused (e.g. welding, office software, CNA)
    • Great for immediate job skills and boosting skills over time
    • See a list of Cascadia’s Certificate Programs

🎓 Associate Degree (2-year degree)

• • • Offered mostly at community colleges
    • Usually take 90 credits to complete
    • See a list of Cascadia’s Degree Programs

🎓 Bachelor’s Degree (4-year degree)

• • • Usually 180 credits in a quarter system (or 120 in a semester system)
    • Includes general education, major-specific courses, and electives
    • Examples:
      • BA (Bachelor of Arts): usually a humanities or social sciences program
      • BS (Bachelor of Science): sciences, business, math
      • BAS (Bachelor of Applied Science): often a follow-up to an AAS; more career focused
    • Tip: You can often transfer from a community college and start at a college or university as a junior, not a first-year. You can bring your prior credits in from your first institution. Learn more about transferring credits. 
    • See a list of Cascadia’s Degree Programs

Graduate Degrees

Graduate school is advanced education you might complete after you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree. It’s not required for everyone, but it can be a valuable step depending on your career goals, personal interests, or long-term plans. Many people go back and complete a graduate degree after years of working in their field — so remember there’s no rush!

Here are a few common reasons students choose graduate school:

• To specialize in a field you care about:
  Grad school allow you to dive deeper into a subject – whether that’s education, computer science, public health or something niche, like medieval literature. You don’t just learn about the field; you become part of it.
  • Example: Someone with a bachelor’s in psychology might pursue a master’s degree in counseling to work directly with clients.
• To qualify for specific careers:
  Some professions require a graduate degree.
  • To be a therapist? You’ll likely need a master’s.
  • To be a professor at a college or university? A doctorate.
  • To be a librarian, social worker, or school principal? Grad school is often required.
• To grow your career (and earning potential):
  A graduate degree can open doors to leadership positions, research roles, or jobs that require deeper expertise. It may also lead to higher salaries—though it’s smart to weigh that against the cost and time of grad school.
• To explore research or academic work:
  Some students go to graduate school because they want to contribute new knowledge through research, writing, or teaching. This is especially true in fields like science, education, or social science.

Types of Graduate Degrees

🎓 Master’s Degree

• • • Usually take 1-3 years post-bachelor’s
    • Examples include:
      • Master of Business Administration (MBA)
      • Master of Social Work (MSW)
      • Master of Arts (MA)
      • Master of Education (M.Ed)
    • May be required for jobs in specific fields.

🎓 Doctoral Degree

• • • Several years of rigorous study and research (usually between 5 and 7)
    • Post-bachelor’s and master’s degree
    • Examples include:
      • PhD in an academic/research field
      • JD (juris doctor) for law
      • MD (doctor of medicine)
    • Depending on the type of degree a licensure exam may be required as well.

Types of Institutions

When people say “college,” they might mean a four-year university, a two-year community college, a technical institute or an online school. There are different kinds of schools, and each one is designed to meet different goals, budgets, and schedules.

Types of Courses

This section breaks down the basics of different course modalities available to you at Cascadia College – which you select is up to you, your learning preferences, schedule, and which courses you are planning to take.

Pros and Cons of Course Modalities

Wrapping Up

This chapter introduced you to different types of degrees and why you might pursue them. You also learned about different types of institutions ranging from community colleges to large universities. Finally, you started learning about course modalities and began reflecting on which type of modality works best for your interest and needs.

Head to the next chapter to learn college lingo and more about the offices that exist to help you be successful in school.