How to Determine Which Degree is Right for You

After you've determined which college to attend, the decision on what program or degree to study is next. Often these decisions are made together, as not every college offers the same degree options or programs.

What do you want to study?

When considering your options, first think about your educational goals. Do you have an interest in a particular field or do you have a career goal that requires a specific degree program? Here are a few ways to help you figure out what you may want to study.

Priorities

What is your goal with your degree? Do you want to study something you're passionate about, something that will pay well or something that you think you could be good at?

Interests

Most people, including students, tend to do better at things that they enjoy. By considering degree programs that interest you may find your coursework more enjoyable.

Skills

Consider the things you are good at, or have experience with when deciding what you may like to study. If you're good at math, for example, courses in engineering may not be as difficult for you as they could be for someone else.

Pay

They say money can't buy happiness but pay is definitely a factor when looking at future employment options. But there's also give-and-take with higher-paying jobs and the education required.

What kind of degree do you need?

Depending on the industry and career path, you may need to hit a specific educational level to be considered qualified, or even competitive. Different levels of responsibility and pay can also play into your decision on what kind of degree you need.

Certificate

If you need a few very specific training courses, then a certificate may be the right option. It takes a few weeks to a few months to complete a certificate, depending on the program. Certificates can be completed in conjunction with, before or after completing a degree program.

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree is the first step, requiring about 60 credit hours -- or two full years -- of coursework. After this, you can transfer the credits to a four-year program or start your career. Traditionally, students can earn an Associate’s of Arts or an Associate’s of Science.

Bachelor's Degree

A four-year degree, which requires about 120 credit hours, the bachelor's degree is typically required for any post-graduate degree. Many jobs have this degree as a requirement, and degrees are primarily a Bachelor’s of Arts and a Bachelor’s of Science.

Postgraduate Degree

There are several options for a postgraduate degree, or a Master's degree. These in-depth programs are usually one or two years long, sometimes done in conjunction with a bachelor's degree to take a total of five years. Many of these programs are offered both full and part-time.

Doctorate

A doctoral degree is the highest academic degree and takes three to six additional years to complete. Usually, a bachelor's and master's degrees are required before obtaining a doctorate.

Ready to learn more about navigating the higher education system as a veteran? Start here.