University Level First Stage: Associate’s Degree, Bachelor’s Degree, Advanced Level Certificate, First Professional Degree:

An associate degree is the first academic or professional degree that can be awarded in the US post-secondary education system. Holders of this degree may apply for admission to higher degree programs at the bachelor’s level, but are not eligible to apply directly to continuing education (postgraduate) programs. Programs of study for this degree usually take 2 years of full-time study, but some take longer to complete. Those pursuing this degree on a part-time basis also require more than 2 years to complete their studies.

An associate degree may be awarded in the liberal arts and general studies as an academic qualification or may be awarded in a professional field. Some professional career programs at the Associate level are final professional programs that do not lead to further study, while others do.

University Level Second Stage: Master’s Degree, Post-Master’s Degree/Certificate, Diploma/Certificate, Education Specialist’s Degree:

The master’s degree is the second stage of higher education and is the first academic degree. U.S. master’s degrees can be taught (without a dissertation) or conduct research (with a dissertation) and can be awarded in academic or professional fields.Most master’s degrees take 2 years of full-time study, although the time may vary depending on the subject, the preparation achieved by the student at the undergraduate level, the structure of the program, and whether the degree is given on a full-time or part-time basis. Research-based master’s degrees typically require completion of a series of advanced courses and seminars, comprehensive examinations, and an independent thesis. Non-research master’s degrees usually require the completion of a specific project, as well as coursework and examinations. Both types of master’s degrees also require the satisfaction of specific requirements (such as linguistic or quantitative skills) or a combination of the two.

University level third stage: PhD:
The research doctorate is the third and highest level of higher education in the United States and can be awarded in academic disciplines and some professional fields of study. This degree is not awarded solely by examination or coursework, but requires demonstrated proficiency in the chosen subject and the ability to conduct independent original research. Doctoral programs require intensive study and research in at least one area and professional level competence in several others.After a series of research seminars designed to prepare an individual research proposal, PhD examinations follow (covering at least two sub-fields in addition to the field of research activity, one of which must be in a subject not in the doctoral candidate’s own faculty but related to his/her research ).