What is an Academic Degree?
Colleges and universities are educational institutions that offer educational programs beyong high school. They provide training for students preparing to enter professional careers. These institutions of higher education confer or grants a title of academic degree indicating the the awardee has completed an established course of study.
Different countries have different variations of degrees. But to make it simpler, let’s concentrate first on the most commonly granted degree – the Bachelor Degree. It is also referred to as the Undergraduate Degree and this is awarded on successful completion of an undergraduate course at a college or a university in a major field of study and some including a minor field as well. There are two types of Bachelor’s Degree, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.).
Once a student is awarded an undergraduate degree, the he/she can pursue a post-graduate degree – Master’s Degree. This is grated to students who have completed one/two years of post-graduate work and study and may also require thesis writing.
After Master’s Degree, there is Doctorate Degree which requires completion of two-five years of postgraduate work and study and dissertation writing. This is the highest degree awarded by universities. Admission to the doctorate program is more rigorous and would usually require two-three years of advanced studies, oral or written examinations before being granted the status of doctoral candidate. Once you are a doctoral candidate then a research and dissertation must be completed and successfully defended before a panel of professors.
Here’s a List of Common Academic Degrees and their Abbreviations:
Bachelor of Arts (A.B. or B.A.)
Bachelor of Business Science (B.B.S.)
Bachelor of Civil Law (B.C.L.)
Bachelor of Letters or Literature (B.Lit, B.Litt., or Lit.B.)
Bachelor of Laws (B.L.L. or L.L.B.)
Bachelor of Science (B.S. B.Sc., OR Sc.B.)
Bachelor of Music (Mus.B.)
Civil Engineer (C.E.)
Chemical Engineer (Ch.E.)
Electrical Engineer (E.E.)
Mechanical Engineer (M.E.)
Graduate of Pharmacy (Ph.G.)
Veterinary Surgeon (V.S.)
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.)
Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.)
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.)
Master of Arts (A.M. or M.A.)
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Master of Civil Engineering (M.C.E.)
Master of Science (M.S. or M.Sc.)
Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.)
Doctor of Divinity (D.D. or S.T.D.)
Doctor of Letters or Literature (D.Litt., or Litt.D.)
Doctor of Science (D.S. or D.Sc.)
Doctor of Law (J.D.)
Doctor of Humanities (L.H.D.)
Doctor of Laws (L.L.D.)
Doctor of Music (Mus.D.)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
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