- There are many types of degrees granted by institutions of higher learning throughout the world. Colleges and universities award degrees to indicate that a student has successfully completed a specific, prescribed program of study. Although several types of degrees exist, including associate's degrees and specialized ones such as a juris doctor, most college degrees can be divided into three general levels: bachelor's, master's and doctoral.
- Institutions of higher learning can be traced back as far as ancient India. The first institution to award academic degrees at all levels was the University of Al Karaouine in Morocco. It is the oldest degree-granting institution in the world and was established in the 9th century.
- There are many types of degrees. The most commonly awarded degrees today include associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, specialist degrees, logistician's degrees, engineering degrees, professional doctoral degrees and research doctoral degrees. Different regions in the world have different systems used to award degrees, but for the most part, all regions follow the same pattern. This first involves obtaining a bachelor's degree as a means to set the foundation of any future education. Completing a bachelor's degree is a prerequisite to obtaining a master's degree. One may choose to move on to the doctoral level after a master's has been obtained. A doctoral degree is the highest degree awarded; however, certification may be granted for outstanding post-doctoral research in some disciplines.
- The United States Census Bureau reports that approximately 27 percent of the adult population in the U.S. hold bachelor's degrees, 6 percent hold master's degrees, and 1 percent hold Ph.D.s.
- There are many reasons why an individual may choose to attend college. While some people choose to pursue a degree in order to further their knowledge in a specific field they are interested in, many people choose to invest in higher education because they believe this investment will improve their quality of life by helping them to obtain a higher-paying job. There is no way to ensure that a college education will lead a graduate directly into the job of his/her dreams. A college degree will ensure that graduates have the tools they need to pursue a career in the field in which they have studied, however.
