"What Am I?": Postsecondary Terms

Bachelor's Degree

I'm called a four year degree, but some students take five years to complete me

Registration

A professional organization or agency will examine you before you can get your name on my list

Technical/Community College

From a single class to two full years of study, I prepare you for a job

College credit/semester hours

I am a number that represents the amount of hours spent in class, but three times this number is the amount of hours students are expected to study independently

Certification

I am a statement or credential that a person earns when he or she has successfully completed an education program and performance assessment

Diploma Degree

I represent one year of full-time college coursework

Associate's Degree

I represent two years of full-time college coursework

On-the-job training

I'm pretty rare in healthcare, but occasionally you might find me in an entry-level position

Master's Degree

If you study non-sto, you could receive me six years after you graduate from high school

Doctor or philosophy degree

Students study many years and won't earn me until they complete a research project and a thesis about their findings

Apprenticeship

The biggest part of my job training program is working with a master for several years to learn a trade

Licensure

You must complete an accredited program and pass a test before a government agency will issue me

University

You will come to me to earn a professional degree