Types of Degrees and Programs

Consider where you want to work and what kind of work schedule you'd prefer. Do you want to own your own business, work as a freelancer, or work for a company? Is there a lot of competition for the job that you're seeking? (If so, a higher degree will help you compete.) Do you hope to earn a professional license? Does your state require certification? If so, how much college course work do you need before you can take the state exam?

If you don't know the answers to these questions, do some research. You can contact a local professional who works in your desired field, and simply ask for information. Explain that you're a student. Be polite and take notes. Most professionals — even strangers — are glad to advise future colleagues.

You can also borrow a career guide from your local library. The Internet has plenty of career sites too, but the Internet is often cluttered with advertisements, biased blogs, and other unreliable information. In a library, you can trust that the resources are neutral and accurate. Just make sure the guide you borrow is relatively current — not published in 1985.

Finally, request information from some of the colleges that are listed here, on eLearners.com. All of the schools on eLearners are accredited, reputable institutions. Enrollment advisors from these schools are trained to help you understand the various degree options and how these options compare to the professional requirements in your chosen field. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask questions.

If you don't have any college experience, or if you've been away from college for many years, then confidence might be an issue for you. Starting with an associate's degree is a good way to test the waters, for those who are concerned that college will be too difficult or too time-consuming. If you can stick with your classes for 2 years (or less, in some cases), then you'll graduate with an associate's degree. This option is better than starting a bachelor's degree and dropping out, without any formal credential to show for your efforts.

On the other hand, plenty of first-time college students start at the bachelor's degree level. If you're willing to study, and you trust in your ability to stay motivated there's no reason not to pursue a bachelor's degree, right off the bat. Bachelor's degree courses are not more difficult than associate's degree courses. Plus, in most careers, a bachelor's degree is the standard requirement for an entry-level position. It makes sense to start working on your BA or BS as soon as possible, if you're drawn to a career that prioritizes 4-year degrees.

If you already have a college degree or a significant amount of course work in one field, but you're hoping to transition into an unrelated career, you might be wondering if you need a new bachelor's degree or just a master's degree in your new field. This is a complex question. The answer varies quite a bit, depending on your individual circumstances. Here again, it's a good idea to do the research listed in the previous section. Speak to some professionals in the field, and get advice from the enrollment advisors at any programs you're considering.

If you have a bachelor's degree in your desired field, but you're wondering if a master's degree or a Ph.D. will be worth the investment>, make sure you have some specific job titles in mind. (In other words, don't enroll in graduate school just to see where it takes you.) Next, research these jobs. Find out the average salary, and make sure that your future earnings will offset the cost of the degree you're considering. You should also find out how plentiful these jobs are. Unfortunately, some jobs are extremely difficult to acquire — even if you have the necessary degrees.

Many people assume that an associate's degree takes 2 years and a bachelor's degree takes 4 years. This isn't always true — especially with online degree programs. In many cases, online degrees can be completed faster than degrees from traditional colleges. This isn't because online degrees are "easier" or less thorough. It's because online programs allow asynchronous learning and self-pacing. Students can access lessons faster, because the materials are all available online. There's no waiting for the next class meeting on campus. (The flip side is also true with self-paced courses. If you decide to work at a casual pace, they can take longer than traditional degrees.)

More importantly though, you shouldn't choose your college degree level based on the time commitment involved unless:

a.) you have serious doubts about your ability to stay motivated and follow through, or
b.) your financial situation means that you need to get a well-paying job as soon as possible.

Ideally, you should choose your degree level based on what other professionals in your industry are doing. To give you a better idea about what other professionals are doing, we've compiled several career directories, called Mini-Guides, which highlight basic information about popular careers. Find your career Mini-Guide, and get informed. If your desired career isn't listed, let us know.

Unfortunately, many people can't afford the time it takes to work their way up the ladder. Your dream job might be sports reporting, but sports reporting is highly competitive. Many reporters work for just cents per word, collecting publication credits with local newspapers and minor websites, waiting around for a big break. If you have a family and financial commitments, you probably can't afford to take that route — at least not right now.

So, if your main objective is to qualify for a stable, well-paying job within one or two years, here are some certificate programs that can lead to faster opportunities.

College is expensive. State colleges and community colleges are less expensive than private schools, but either way, college is still expensive. When choosing a degree level, money should not be your first consideration, unless you absolutely need to start working immediately — in which case: here are some certificate programs that can lead to faster opportunities.

Remember, bachelor's degree holders earn far more, on average, than graduates with an associate's degree or just a high school diploma. Similarly, master's degree holders earn far more, on average, than bachelor's degree holders. The more you learn, the more you are likely to earn.

Whenever possible, you should pursue the highest level degree that you need. In other words, if you know that you're going to need a bachelor's degree eventually, don't bother starting with an associate's degree. Likewise, don't pursue a master's degree, if you need a Ph.D. and you can apply for it directly. This is just like the concept of skipping a grade in elementary school. College is what you make of it. With a little extra effort and initiative, you can handle the head start, and still be an A+ student.