Academic degrees are organized by level, from shorter undergraduate qualifications to advanced graduate and doctoral credentials. Understanding the different types of academic degrees helps students compare study paths, time commitment, and long-term career options.
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TL;DR
The associate degree is usually the first main college degree level.
The bachelor’s degree is the standard four-year undergraduate degree in many systems.
Graduate study usually includes master’s, specialist, and doctorate-level degrees.
The doctorate is usually the highest academic degree level.
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What are academic degrees?
Academic degrees are formal qualifications awarded by colleges and universities after a student completes a defined program of study. Each degree level represents a different stage of higher education and a different depth of academic or professional preparation.
The most useful way to understand academic degrees is to see them as a progression. Students usually begin with undergraduate degrees and may continue later into graduate-level degrees if their academic or career goals require more specialization.
Simple definition: academic degrees are structured education levels that show how far a student has progressed in higher education.
Academic degrees in order: from lowest to highest
In many higher education systems, the most common academic degree order looks like this:
Associate degree
The associate degree is usually the first main college degree level. It is an undergraduate credential often completed in about two years of full-time study.
Common associate degree types include the AA, AS, and AAS. Students may use an associate degree for workforce entry, technical preparation, or transfer into a bachelor’s degree program.
Bachelor’s degree
The bachelor’s degree is the most common full undergraduate university degree in many systems. It usually takes about four years of full-time study and often serves as the standard qualification for many careers.
Common bachelor’s degree types include the BA, BS, and BAS. The bachelor’s degree is also the normal academic bridge into graduate study.
Master’s degree
The master’s degree is a graduate-level qualification pursued after a bachelor’s degree in most systems. It is more advanced and more specialized than undergraduate study.
Many master’s programs take about one to two years beyond the bachelor’s degree and may focus on professional development, advanced coursework, or research preparation.
Specialist degree
The specialist degree is an advanced postgraduate credential most commonly found in fields such as education and school psychology. It usually sits above the master’s degree in specialization, but below the doctorate in overall academic level.
Examples include the Ed.S. and some specialist-level psychology credentials. These degrees are often chosen by professionals who want advanced applied expertise without a full doctoral path.
Doctorate degree
The doctorate is usually the highest academic degree level. Doctoral programs may be research-focused, like the PhD, or professional-practice focused, depending on the field.
Doctoral study is usually the most advanced stage of academic training and may lead to research careers, university teaching, executive leadership, or specialized professional practice.
Undergraduate vs graduate degrees
The easiest way to understand academic degree types is to separate them into two broad groups. Undergraduate degrees usually include associate and bachelor’s degrees. Graduate degrees usually include master’s, specialist, and doctorate-level qualifications.
This distinction matters because students often search for “types of degrees” without realizing that some belong to the first stage of higher education and others belong to more advanced levels.
Which academic degree level is right for you?
The right degree level depends on your current background, your career goals, your budget, and how much time you want to invest in study. A shorter undergraduate credential may be enough for some students, while others need a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate for their target field.
In general, the more advanced the degree level, the more specialized the study becomes. That is why it helps to think of academic degrees as a ladder rather than as disconnected titles.
Final verdict
The main academic degree levels are associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctorate. Understanding this order makes it much easier to compare study paths and choose the right next step.
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Academic degree FAQs
What are the main types of academic degrees?
The main academic degree levels are associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctorate.
What is the lowest academic degree level?
In most common higher-education pathways, the associate degree is the lowest main college degree level.
What is a four-year degree called?
A four-year degree is usually called a bachelor’s degree.
What degree comes after a bachelor’s degree?
The most common next level after a bachelor’s degree is a master’s degree, although some students later continue to specialist or doctoral study.
Is a doctorate the highest academic degree?
Yes. In most academic systems, the doctorate is the highest academic degree level.
Are graduate degrees and academic degree levels the same thing?
Not exactly. Graduate degrees are one part of the academic ladder, while academic degree levels include both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
