What Kinds of Online Degrees Are Available?

For students interested in earning a degree online, the first step in the process is understanding what type of degrees are available and what type of degree best suits them. With so many choices out there, it is imperative to do your research.

Most online colleges offer certificate courses. These courses are well-suited for recent high school graduates, working professionals interested in furthering their career and those people who already possess a college degree. Many of these certificates can be earned in such fields as health care, technology and business.

An associate degree is a two-year program also offered by many online colleges. Most associate degree programs require students to have earned a high school diploma or to have received their GED. The most common associate degrees are Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), and Associate of Arts (AA). According to reports, more than half of all degrees earned online are associate degrees. These degrees can be earned in many subjects, including computer technology, criminal justice and accounting.

A bachelor’s degree is generally earned after three years worth of study, although they can vary in length depending on the school. To apply to a bachelor’s degree program, most colleges require students to have received their high school diploma or their GED prior to application. Students have a wide range of degree programs to choose from when seeking a bachelor’s degree, including communications, marketing, fine arts, mathematics, history, government, engineering and more. The majority of bachelor’s degrees are traditionally awarded in two forms, Bachelor of Arts (BA), which is the study of academics and Bachelor of Science (BS), which is the study of a profession. And considering the Educational Testing Service found that the lifetime earnings of males with a bachelor’s degree are 96 percent higher than males without, it is a good degree to earn.

Master’s degrees are also available through online colleges. These advanced degrees require students to have previously received a high school diploma or GED, as well as a bachelor’s degree. While master’s degrees are not as popular online as the other degrees offered, they are available in a wide range of subjects, including Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Finance (MF), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Public Administration (MPA) and more. These programs generally require two years worth of study, but also vary depending on the college.

While not as common as other online degree programs, students interested in advancing their higher education even further are able to earn doctoral degrees online. This is arguably the most prestigious degree possible to attain and can traditionally take from four to six years to complete. They include Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Health Administration (DHA), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and many more.

As shown, there are many online degree choices for students in all stages of their higher education. Doing the research to understand which type of degree program is right for each student is the first step.