There are four major categories of degrees available for postsecondary students: associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. Earning one of these degrees can take 2-8 years, depending on the level of the degree and field of study.
Associate Degrees
Associate-level programs offer different degrees for a variety of careers. These 2-year programs may provide the necessary training to prepare students for entry-level positions in fields like nursing, graphic design and other vocational areas. Associate degree programs are most commonly available from community colleges and technical schools.
Bachelor’s Degrees
A bachelor’s degree program is an undergraduate program that usually takes four years to complete. Enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program requires that students choose a major area of study, such as finance, history, communications or biology. Graduates from a bachelor’s degree program are qualified to work in entry- or management-level positions, depending on the field.
Master’s Degrees
Master’s degree programs are graduate programs that let students specialize in an area of study and typically take 1-2 years to complete. Along with an undergraduate degree, enrolling in a master’s degree program usually requires a minimum GPA and an acceptance score on a graduate entrance exam, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Many master’s degree programs require a thesis or capstone project for graduation.
Doctoral Degrees
Doctoral degree programs are the most advanced type of degree program available. Admittance into a doctoral degree program usually requires a master’s degree. Completing the Ph.D. usually takes several years, involving the completion of a dissertation and a major research project.
Source: education- portal.com
Message From The Dean – Bob Fulcomer
As we enter the time of year when many high school seniors are making decisions about what school they will attend in the coming fall, there are many who are not making this choice and for several reasons. Some of the latest statistics show that the percentage of young adults who receive a 4 year degree by the time they are 24 yrs. old has increased. The surprising part of these statistics are the income levels of the families. Approximately 77% are families from the top income quartile and only 9% are from the lowest quartile. Many young adults feel they can’t financially afford to go to college or that they have to work to help support the family.
From experience, I feel that the single biggest obstacle is lack of knowledge, not academic knowledge but the knowledge that there are so many opportunities available for anyone and everyone who wants to pursue a higher education. This is the premise that the HIFE CPP program is based on. With proper planning, there is a way to obtain not only an education but a rewarding and satisfying career.
National Universities Rankings
Various factors that make up the college experience can’t be measured by a series of data points. But for fami
lies concerned with finding the best academic value for their money, the U.S. rankings provide an excellent starting point for the search. Many factors will figure in your decision, including location and the feel of campus life; the range of academic offerings, activities and sports; and cost and the availability of financial aid. But if you combine college visits, interviews and your own intuition, rankings can be a powerful tool in your quest for the right college.
Source: usnews.com
Do You Know?
Some well-informed students actually graduate from college with an Associate degree before they graduate high school!
Most, if not all, of the cost for this Associate degree was paid for by the high school the student was attending!
The students who obtained their Associate degree before graduating high school were, in most cases, guaranteed acceptance to the public universities in their state.
Many of these students who apply to private universities receive better awards and are looked at more favorably for admissions.
The number of students that actually complete their Associate degree before completing high school is very low. There are significantly more students who graduate high school with some college credit. There are many reasons why the numbers are so low, starting with students and parents not knowing that it is an option. Many times, by the time they find out this as an option, it is too late to take action.
Different states have different requirements, and individual school districts have their own requirements and guidelines as well. Not all colleges participate in these types of programs, and when they do, there may be additional procedures and guidelines that vary from school to school.
The key to being successful in participating in this type of program, which is commonly referred to as dual enrollment, is planning. HIFE College Planning Coaches are experts in this area and have many years of experience helping high school students and their parents to understand what this program is and how it works for their individual situation. With proper planning and guidance, the additional workload for the student is minimal.
5 Tangible Reasons to Get a College Degree
- You’ll make more money. Figures range from several hundred thousand to a million dollars or more over your lifetime. Regardless of the details, however, you’ll have more income.
- You’ll have a lifetime of increased opportunities— more job openings, more chances at promotions, and more flexibility. Which jobs you take (and keep) are just a few of the doors that will be opened when you have your degree in hand.
- You’ll be more empowered as an agent in your own life. You’ll be better educated about the things that have an impact on your day-to-day existence: knowing how to read a lease, having an understanding of how the markets will influence your retirement accounts, and handling the finances of your family. A college education can empower you in all kinds of ways to be more in control of your life’s logistics. .
- You’ll be better able to weather adversity. From having more money available (see #1 in this list!) in a savings account to having marketable skills and an education during an economic downturn, having a degree can come in handy when life throws you a curve.
- You’ll always be marketable. Having a college degree is becoming increasingly important in the job market. Consequently, having a degree now will open doors for the future, which will in turn open more doors and make you more marketable later … and the cycle continues.
5 Intangible Reasons to Get a College Degree
- You’ll lead a more examined life. The critical thinking and reasoning skills you learn in college will stay with you for a lifetime.
- You can be an agent of change for others. Many social service positions, from doctor and lawyer to teacher and scientist, require a college degree (if not a graduate degree). Being able to help others means you have to educate yourself to do so through your time in school.
- You’ll have more access to resources. In addition to the financial resources you’ll have access to through your higher income, you’ll also have resources in all kinds of unexpected and intangible ways. Your roommate from freshman year who is now an attorney, your friend from chemistry class who is now a doctor, and the person you met at the alumni mixer who may offer you a job next week are the kinds of benefits and resources that are hard to plan for — but that can make all the difference in the world.
- You’ll have future opportunities in ways you may not be considering now. When you graduate from college, you may have never even given a second thought to graduate school. But as you get older, you may unexpectedly develop a strong interest in medicine, law, or education. Having that undergraduate degree already under your belt will allow you to pursue your dreams once you realize where they are going.
- You’ll have a strong sense of pride and self. You may be the first person in your family to graduate from college, or you may come from a long line of graduates. Either way, knowing you earned your degree will undoubtedly give a lifetime of pride to yourself, your family, and your friends.
Source: collegelife.about.com
Coach’s Corner
This time of year is a busy time for seniors in the HIFE College Planning Program. They are working on the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), finishing applying to schools and finalizing their majors for college. Seniors just enrolling into the HIFE College Planning Program are now are facing the same tasks, however, they have less time. If you have seniors who have not enrolled yet, this is a great time to do so. The HIFE Coaches are ready to help these seniors catch up and get through these tasks. It is an exciting time for all seniors. The HIFE Coaching staff will make sure they know what is needed.
