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In the United States, the common order of college degree levels is associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, then doctoral. It is a guide to academic levels, not a mandatory ladder: some doctoral programs admit students with a bachelor’s degree, and professional degrees such as the JD and MD do not fit neatly into one universal sequence.
College degrees in order: the common U.S. sequence
Federal education classifications recognize four familiar degree levels. The examples below are illustrative, not a complete catalog of degree names.
- Associate’s degree — an undergraduate degree below the bachelor’s level. Examples include AA (Associate of Arts), AS (Associate of Science), and AAS (Associate of Applied Science).
- Bachelor’s degree — an undergraduate baccalaureate degree. Examples include BA (Bachelor of Arts), AB (Artium Baccalaureus), and BS (Bachelor of Science).
- Master’s degree — a graduate degree. Examples include MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW, and MBA.
- Doctoral degree — the highest award for graduate study in the National Center for Education Statistics’ classification. Examples include the PhD and EdD, as well as doctorates such as the SJD and DrPH.
These categories describe levels of awards, not an admissions rule. A student may progress from a bachelor’s directly into a doctoral program when that program permits it; earning an associate’s and master’s degree first is not universally required. The NCES glossary defines degree types and levels rather than prescribing one pathway. NCES, Digest of Education Statistics 2022, Appendix B.
What each degree level means
Associate’s: an undergraduate award below a bachelor’s
An associate’s degree is a formal undergraduate degree. Its place in the common order reflects its level, not a requirement that it be completed before a bachelor’s.
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NCES describes a bachelor’s as usually requiring the equivalent of at least four but no more than five full-time academic years of college-level study. That is a general classification, not a guarantee of how long any particular student will take. NCES, Digest of Education Statistics 2022, Appendix B; NCES glossary.
Master’s: graduate study beyond the bachelor’s level
NCES describes a master’s degree as generally requiring one or two years of full-time college-level study beyond a bachelor’s degree. The duration is a general description; individual programs and students may differ. NCES, Digest of Education Statistics 2022, Appendix B.
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Doctoral: more than the PhD
“Doctoral degree” is broader than “PhD.” NCES groups doctoral degrees into research/scholarship, professional practice, and other degrees. A doctorate is the highest award for graduate study in its classification, but the type of work and professional purpose vary by degree.
Where professional degrees fit
Degrees such as the MD (medicine), DDS (dentistry), DVM (veterinary medicine), and JD (law) are professional degrees. They are important college-level credentials, but should not be forced into a single rung that applies identically to all of them. Federal sources classify professional degrees distinctly; the Census Bureau, for example, reports a separate “professional degree beyond bachelor’s” attainment category. NCES, Digest of Education Statistics 2022, Appendix B; U.S. Census Bureau, Educational Attainment.
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For a quick orientation, the associate’s-to-doctoral list is the usual U.S. level sequence. Professional degrees are best understood by their specific field and classification rather than treated as one universally positioned step.
Degrees versus certificates and licenses
A degree is an award from a postsecondary institution recognizing successful completion of a program of study. Certificates and licenses are also credentials, but the Census Bureau distinguishes them from formal degrees. A certificate or license may be valuable for employment or professional eligibility without being another level in the college-degree sequence. U.S. Census Bureau, Educational Attainment.
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Does this order apply outside the United States?
No single international list should be inferred from this U.S. sequence. Degree names, qualifications, and level frameworks vary by country, so compare the relevant national framework when evaluating an overseas credential or planning study abroad.
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