Frequently Asked Questions on College Degree Options

Review frequently asked questions on the types of degrees, academic degree order, and length of time to earn a degree.

How many degrees are there in college? 

Most community colleges offer only two-year associate degrees, while most four-year colleges offer bachelor’s, graduate, and doctoral or professional degrees. Some four-year colleges may also have associate degree programs.

How do academic degrees go in order? 

There are four types of degrees. In order of level of education, they rank as associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s or graduate degrees, and doctoral or professional degrees.

How many years do you have to be in college to achieve certain degrees? 

Though it will vary between academic disciplines, associate degrees usually take two years to achieve, bachelor’s degrees take four years, master’s degrees take two years, and doctoral or professional degrees can take anywhere from four to eight years.

The first four years of college are the undergraduate years, and a student studying for a bachelor’s degree is called an undergraduate. The four years refer to the total accumulated credit hours; a student may take fewer or more than four years to attain their undergraduate degree.

What are the four years of college called? 

The first four years of college are the undergraduate years, and a student studying for a bachelor’s degree is called an undergraduate. The four years refer to the total accumulated credit hours; a student may take fewer or more than four years to attain their undergraduate degree.

What’s an eight-year degree? 

An “eight-year degree” typically refers to a doctoral degree or PhD. Although some doctorates can be completed in as little as three years, these degrees typically require more time studying highly specialized subjects. Students in these programs often must defend a dissertation while already working a professional job.

What does a graduate degree mean? 

A graduate or master’s degree is an advanced degree that some students pursue after earning a bachelor’s degree. Earning a graduate degree signifies mastery of a particular field of study. A major difference between a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree is that a master’s degree focuses more intensely on a subject. Graduate degrees usually take two years to attain.

What do you call a master’s student? 

A master's student is called a graduate student or “grad student” for short. A student studying for a bachelor’s degree is called an undergraduate student (“undergrad student” or “undergrad” for short).

How many years is a master’s degree?

Graduate degrees usually take around two years to attain, but this can vary based on the degree. Many institutions allow students to enroll in a graduate program in a field unrelated to their bachelor’s degree, although it may require some extra credit hours.