Online and Campus Programs
Certificates
Certificates are usually programs that take less than one year to complete. They are highly specialized for a specific are of training. Some have some serious
prerequisites like having a Master's Degree or Bachelor's Degree. Others, like an Automotive certification in Collision Repair don't have any prerequisites.
Usually those who go for these degrees already know what they want to do with it. Or their job is requiring it. Or it will allow them to be more marketable while searching
for a job. It's hard to say what the salary differences would be - having a certificate or not. It highly depends on the area of study it's in.
Associate Degrees
Associate Degrees are usually 2-year programs at an institue of higher learning. These too are usually somewhat specialized. There are Associate Degrees that are General Studies
degrees - that usually transfer your "General Education" to another school if you transferred. Check with your school's Registrar before you plan this move. There are some
employers that will give you a raise in pay - simply because you have an Associate's Degree. It depends on where you work and what field you work in too.
Bachelor's Degrees
This is probably the most common degree people seek after in the United States. Bachelor Degree programs generally take four years to obtain. Some programs take longer due to the
fact some programs require more coursework. It is almost necessary to have (at a minimum) a Bachelor's Degree in order for you to obtain
a high-paying job. According to the Winter 2004-2005 Occupational Outlook Quarterly, The US Department of Labor reported that "In 2003, workers who had a
Bachelor’s Degree had median weekly earnings of $900, compared with $554 a week for high school graduates—that’s a difference of $346 per week, or a 62 percent jump in
median earnings." These figures illustrate the advantage of a Bachelor's Degree is its earning power.
Masters Degrees
Obtaining a Masters Degree is a great accomplishment. Most people do not get this far in their educational career. People tend to find work after graduating from their 4-year
Bachelor's Degree program and enter the workforce. Some jobs in the workforce require a Masters Degree before they'll even look at a potential employee. A person who's obtained
a Masters Degree usually finds a high-paying job and has more responsibilities.
MBA Degrees (Masters of Business Administration)
An MBA degree can qualify you for some of the highest paying entry-level jobs. The training you'll receive pursuing a Masters of Business Administration will give you the
head start you'll need in managing small to medium size business teams. They can include software developers, marketing agents, human resource agents, etc.
Doctorate Degrees
A Doctorate or Ph.D. degree is the highest level of degree offered in the United States. People who obtain this degree generally earn a lot more money and are much more specialized
in a particular area of work.