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Academic Degree and Certificate Definitions

Degree/Diploma/Certificate: An award or title conferred upon an individual for the completion of a program or courses of study.  Additionally, an honorary degree/diploma/certificate may be awarded to an individual in recognition of his or her public service and/or distinguished career-related endeavors. 

The following mutually exclusive categories are used:

Certificate of proficiency or diploma (less than one year): An award for completion of a program designed for less than one year (15 semester credit hours or less).  It is awarded to students demonstrating mastery of skills and knowledge against specified performance standards in a specific area or discipline and not normally part of other programs leading to a technical certificate or associate degree.

Technical certificate or diploma (at least one, but less than two, years):  an award for completion of a program designed for at least one, but less than two, full academic years.  It recognizes completion of competency in an occupational field and may be part of of an A.A.S. curriculum or a stand-alone program.

Associate degree (two years or more):  a degree granted upon completion of a program that requires at least two, but fewer than four, academic years of postsecondary education.  It includes a level of general education necessary for growth as a lifelong learner and is comprised of 60-72 semester credit hours.  There are four types of associate degrees: 

  • Associate of Arts (A.A.): degree awarded for completion of collegiate level coursework which is transferable toward a baccalaureate degree.  The range of hours is 60 to 64 semester credit hours.
  • Associate of Science (A.S.): degree awarded for completion of collegiate level coursework with an occupational objective of which the majority of occupational courses and all general education courses are transferable toward a baccalaureate degree.  The range of hours is 60 to 72 semester credit hours.
  • Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.): degree awarded for completion of collegiate level coursework that is primarily designed for direct employment.  A minimum of 50% of all semester hours is in the technical area, and the occupational field may be specified in the title of the degree (e.g., Associate of Applied Science in Electronics Technology).  The range of hours is 60 to 72 semester credit hours.
  • Associate of General Studies (A.G.S.): degree awarded for completion of collegiate level work of transfer and/or occupational courses.  The degree is intended to serve as a flexible program option for students whose needs cannot be met by other programs.  Individual courses may fulfill requirements for transfer toward a baccalaureate degree, direct employment, or educational enrichment.  The range of hours is 60 to 64 semester credit hours.

Advanced certificate:  an award for completion of a program of advanced technical courses in a technical specialty.   It requires an associate degree or higher, and/or national certification in the technical specialty, and/or other specifically defined postsecondary eduction requirements.  The range of hours is 24 to 36 semester hours.  

Baccalaureate (bachelor's) degree:  a degree granted upon completion of a program that requires four to five years of full-time college work and carries the title of bachelor.

Post-baccalaureate certificate:  requires completion of a program of study requiring 30 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree but does not meet the requirements of a master's degree.

Master's degree:  a degree which requires at least one, but no more than two, full-time equivalent years of study beyond the bachelor's degree.

Specialist degree/certificate:  a degree or certificate carrying the title of specialist, which requires
completion of a program or study beyond the master's degree but does not meet the academic requirements of a doctor's degree.  Also called a post-master's certificate.

Doctoral degree:  a degree awarded upon completion of an educational program at the graduate level which terminates in a doctor's degree.

First professional degree:  a degree awarded upon completion of a program which meets all of these criteria:  a) completion of academic requirements to begin practice in the profession; b) at least two years of college work before entering the program; and c) at least six academic years of college work to complete the degree program, including the prior required college work.  First professional degrees are awarded in these fields:
  • Chiropractic (DC)
  • Dentistry (DDS or DMD)
  • Law (LLB or JD)
  • Medicine (MD)
  • Optometry (OD)
  • Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
  • Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
  • Podiatry (Pod D or DP)
  • Theology (M Div or MHL)
  • Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

First professional certificate (post-degree):  requires completion of an organized program of study for persons who have already completed a first professional degree.    

Honorary degree/diploma/certificate:  a degree/diploma/certificate awarded to an individual in recognition of his or her public service and/or distinguished career-related endeavors.