College Degrees Explained
Find, Grades 7 – 11
s
e
i
it
v
i
t
c
A
d
e
t
s
Sugge
The video Different Types of Postsecondary Education offers students a glimpse
into the postsecondary experiences of four students pursuing different career
paths and degree plans. This lesson further develops the information about types
of degrees that students might pursue, possible length of study, and examples of
careers related to that degree.
1. Different Types of Postsecondary Education Video and Discussion
Introduce Different Types of Postsecondary Education by telling students they will be seeing some examples
of students who are going to college to earn various types of degrees at a community college and a four-year
university. Ask them to jot down the reasons that each student gives for choosing his or her school.
After the video, ask them to name the type of degrees and career each college student talked about.
Answers:
Tony: Associate’s degree; registered nurse
Ben: Associate’s degree; professional chef
Rachel: Master’s degree; aeronautical engineer
Liz: Bachelor’s degree; journalist
Ask the students if they were surprised by any of the postsecondary education requirements of the careers
discussed. Which career interested them most?
2. A Matter of Degrees Game and Handout
Give students a copy of the attached handout called “A Matter of Degrees” and ask them to use it in the next
activity. The handout details various types of degrees and gives students space to list possible careers associated
with each one.
Divide the class into groups of three or four. Give each group a set of 4 note cards with one of these words written
on each card: Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate/Professional. When you call out a profession, ask
them to discuss with each other to determine the highest degree most often required for that career. Select from
the list of professions below, or choose your own. On your call, teams will hold up their card. The teams with the
most correct answers win the contest. (Offer a prize, if possible.)
After the game award winners and ask them if they know what they are interested in studying and what type of
degree is required.
They may complete the Own Your Own Future Finder at
http://www.ownyourownfuture.com/future-finder/
or research careers, degree requirements, and salary figures at
http://www.careerinfonet.org/.
Journal
I am hoping to pursue a(n) _____________ (associate’s, bachelor’s,
master’s, professional/doctoral) degree in _______________. I can
take the following courses now to prepare for that degree:
ownyourownfuture.com || Texas GEAR UP
Job
Architect
Clergy (preacher)
School teacher
Medical scientist
Graphic artist
Engineer
Lawyer
Computer Programmer
Degree
Master’s degree
Master’s degree
Bachelor’s degree
Doctorate
Bachelor’s degree
Bachelor’s or Master’s
Professional degree
Associate’s or Bachelor’s
College Degrees Explained
A Matter of Degrees
Students may know how to apply and enroll in college, but they probably need more
information about the various types of degree programs offered. This lesson will
provide them with a resource that explains the differences between an Associate’s
degree, Bachelor’s, Master’s and more advanced degree options.
An associate’s degree is earned in two years or less
and may be earned at community, junior, or technical
colleges. Associate’s degrees will include basic courses,
such as math and English, as well as classes related
to your particular career choice. You may use courses
completed through the community college to transfer to
a four-year institution. Possible careers that require this
degree are:
1. ______________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________
A bachelor’s degree
is usually a four-year
program of undergraduate
courses. To earn this
degree, you must take
general studies classes
like math and English, as well as a certain number of
hours in your major field of study. You may begin with
transfer credit from Advanced Placement, CLEP, or
community college courses. There are several different
types of bachelor’s degree programs, and the type you
earn will depend on the major you choose. Possible
careers that require this degree are:
A master’s degree
follows a bachelor’s
degree and will usually
take at least two additional
years to complete.
Master’s degrees are very
focused and are called “master’s” because it means that
you have mastered a particular area of study. You must
complete undergraduate courses and take a graduate
admissions exam. The most common master’s degrees
are Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Master of
Science (M.S.), and Master of Education (M.Ed.). Certain
careers require this degree, such as:
1. ______________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________
Even more advanced degrees, such as doctoral and
professional degrees in medicine, law, education,
arts, or sciences, may also be obtained. A doctoral, or
Ph.D. program, often follows a master’s degree. Other
professional programs, including a law degree, may be
obtained after completion of a bachelor’s degree. These
graduate degrees take from three to five additional years
to complete. These are some of the careers that require
this degree:
1. ______________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________
1. ______________________________________________
2. ______________________________________________
3. ______________________________________________
Own it!
I am hoping to pursue a(n) _____________ (Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional/
Doctoral) degree in _______________. I can take the following courses now to prepare for that
degree: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________.
ownyourownfuture.com || Texas GEAR UP
College Degrees Explained