When researching post-secondary schooling, you’ve likely seen baccalaureate degrees discussed.
Although it has a very impressive title, it’s one of the most common degrees obtained by college and university students.
This guide will explore bachelor vs baccalaureate degrees and the other types of degrees available from college or university.
Bachelor vs Baccalaureate Degrees
Before we get into the different degree types, you must ask, “Is baccalaureate same as bachelors?”
Its name sounds significantly more impressive, but it provides you with the same benefits as a bachelor’s degree.
There’s no difference between a baccalaureate degree vs bachelor degree.
Baccalaureate is an old-world term for a bachelor’s degree derived from the Medieval Latin term, “Baccalaureatus”.
Baccalaureatus means the first degree you obtain in university, which is what a bachelor’s is.
After obtaining this degree, you can then decide to further your education with post-graduate coursework.
Most often, students will pursue a master’s degree and then determine if a terminal degree is required, such as a Ph.D.
Depending on the field you’re going into, you might be required to obtain a Ph.D. to practice.
Alternatively, you could find that an undergraduate degree gives you all of the education required for a career.
What Is Meant by Undergraduate Degree?
When you begin researching different degree types, “undergraduate” is a common term.
It’s easily explained as the first level of studies you’ll complete in university to obtain a degree.
Most often, undergraduate degrees take between four and five years to complete, depending on specialty.
What Are the 4 Types of Degrees?
With a clear understanding of a baccalaureate degree vs bachelor degree, let’s explore other degree types in detail.
There are four primary types of degrees you can obtain from post-secondary institutions.
Associate Degrees
Associate degrees are most often awarded through colleges and trade schools and are the “easiest” to obtain.
With associate-level programs, you’ll be able to unlock doors to a vast number of careers.
Some individuals with associate degrees become dental hygienists, while others become tradespeople.
Most of these programs take two years to complete and are highly recommended for entry-level positions.
The primary objective of associate degree programs is to prepare students for a specific career.
You can also opt to transfer your associate’s degree credits to a bachelor’s program to further your education.
There are three main types of associate degrees you can obtain, which include:
- AAS (Associate of Applied Science)
- AS (Associate of Science)
- AA (Associate of Arts)
You’ll find most participants are looking for a way to be certified in a specific field to begin work as soon as possible.
Associate degrees can also be highly beneficial for professional development.
Most of the courses are pretty flexible and take less time to complete than bachelor’s degree programs.
Students also have the option to take courses at night, making it ideal for working individuals.
Upon completing your associate’s program, you can acquire higher-paying jobs, better job titles, and more opportunities.
Bachelor’s Degrees
If you’re asking, “Is a baccalaureate the same as bachelor’s?”, the answer is yes, and it’s a common degree type.
Students who partake in a four-year post-secondary program will obtain a bachelor’s degree.
You’ll be required to choose a specific area of study that your courses will revolve around with this type.
Like associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees cover a wide variety of career options, including:
- Biology
- Communications
- Finance
- Criminal Justice
- History
- Teaching
- Psychology
Upon completing your program, you’re likely to enter your field in an entry-level or management-level position.
The most important aspect of a bachelor’s degree is that it’s a requirement for all post-graduate programs.
For example, if you intend on obtaining your master’s or Ph.D., you will also need to have a bachelor’s degree.
You’ll also notice that the vast majority of jobs also require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
Answering, “Is baccalaureate same as bachelors” is important for working in any environment.
It’s important because it’s the first degree from university-level institutions to consider.
You’ll find there are a few different types of bachelor’s degree programs to apply for, including:
BA (Bachelor of Arts)
- Counselors
- Lawyers
- Teachers
- Writers
- Researchers
BSc (Bachelor of Science)
- Mathematicians
- Biologists
- Chemists
- Physicists
BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- Artists
- Authors
- Dancers
- Actors
BAS (Bachelor of Applied Science)
- Software Developers
- Engineers
- Project Managers
BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)
- Managers
- Business Executives
- Marketing Professionals
- Entrepreneurs
BArch (Bachelor of Architecture)
- Interior Designers
- Industrial Designers
- Architects
- City Planners
Master’s Degrees
The next step in the educational hierarchy is a master’s degree— a graduate degree program.
This area of study is highly recommended and often required for students pursuing a specialty.
For example, if you intend on becoming a Psychologist, you will require a Master’s degree before practicing.
Where they differ from other degree programs is that they’re taken after completing an undergraduate degree.
It’s also not guaranteed that you will be granted entry to a master’s degree program, depending on your GPA.
On top of your four years of undergraduate study, master’s degrees take another one to two years to complete.
It’s common for applicants to take an entrance exam before being accepted to a master’s program.
You could also be required to complete a thesis or capstone project before graduating.
Although it’s more work, it is well worth the effort to offer significant employable benefits.
With these programs, you’ll have unique benefits that other job applicants don’t have.
Master’s degree programs focus on a specialty rather than a broad spectrum of subjects.
All of your coursework will focus specifically on one subject, such as law, business consulting, or psychology.
The most common types of master’s degrees include:
MA (Master of Arts)
- Psychologists
- Professors
- Researchers
MS (Master of Science)
- Data Scientists
- Mechanical Engineers
- Software Engineers
MBA (Master of Business Administration)
- CEOs
- Business Consultants
- Executives
MFA (Master of Fine Arts)
- Authors
- Professors
- Creative Directors
LLM (Master of Laws)
- Lawyers
- Politicians
- Judges
MPub (Master of Publishing)
- Typographers
- Publishers
- Graphic Designers
Doctoral Degrees
As the upper echelon of the educational spectrum, doctoral degrees are the highest degree program available.
You’ll find doctorates are also commonly referred to as PhDs.
As the highest level of education you can obtain, you’ll likely need undergraduate and master’s degrees before applying.
There are several other requirements students need to meet before being accepted into Ph.D. programs.
Often, you’ll require standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and more.
PhDs are also very time-consuming to obtain since they can take several years.
With doctoral degrees, you’ll be required to complete a dissertation of your specific area of study.
For example, medical-related PhDs require in-person clinical hours with actual patients.
Although the requirements and expectations are significantly high, they’re very beneficial.
Upon completion of your Ph.D., you’ll be considered an expert in your field.
You’ll find top-paying jobs are far simpler to acquire, as are the most impressive job titles.
The most common types of doctoral degree programs include:
MD (Doctor of Medicine)
- Surgeons
- Doctors
DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery)
- Dental Surgeons
- Orthodontists
Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)
- Professors
- Academics
EdD (Doctor of Education)
- College Presidents
- Provosts
JD (Juris Doctor)
- Lawyers
- Legal Scholars
Baccalaureate Degree: Final Thoughts
With a baccalaureate degree, you can explore many professional opportunities in an array of fields.
If you want to further your studies, you can opt to pursue even higher education through master’s and doctoral programs.
With most of today’s career options, bachelor’s degrees are the bare minimum to consider.
Further Reading: What Do You Need to Get a Bachelor’s Degree?
