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Community or Technical College Certificate:   Six months to two-year course of study at community or 
technical college in skill or technical major.  Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.) degree:  
Two-year full-time course of studies which include general education clas
ses as well as a major:  
1) Occupation major, or 2) Transfer major (that prepares students for transfer to four year college
s).
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.):  Four-year full-time course of studies which includes 
general education classes and major in a subject area.   Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.S.):  
Two additional years of studies beyond Bachelor degree with major in subj
ect area.  
Professional degree:  One- to three-years of studies beyond Bachelor or Master degree dependi
ng upon 
subject area.  Professional degrees are earned for medicine, dentistry, law, chiropractic science, pharmacy, 
podiatry, theology (clergy), or veterinary medicine.  
Doctorate degree:  Two additional years of studies beyond the Master degree with major in a 
subject area.
QUICK CHECK:
1.   a) Define "Community or Technical College Certificate." 
2.  a) For what words do the initials "AA" and "AS" stand?  b) How many years does
   it take to earn an AA or AS degree?  c) List the two types of majors.
3.   a) For what do the initials "BA" and "BS" stand?  b) How long does it take to earn a Bachelor degree?
4.   a) For what do the initials "MA" and "MS" stand?  b) How many years of studies beyond the Bachelor 
degree does it take to earn the Master degree?  c) How many years of studies beyond the Bachelor or 
Master degree does it take to earn a Professional degree?  d) List 8 types of Professional degrees.
5.  a) Which degree had the highest average weekly earnings?  b) Which degree was second?
6.  a) How much more per week did a high school graduate earn than a person with 2 years of high school?   
  b) How much more per year did the high school graduate earn?  (52 weeks per year)
7.   a) How much more per week did a person who has a Bachelor degree earn than a high school graduate?   
b) What would you do with this much extra money each week?
8.  a) List one job you may enjoy for a future career.  b) Give a reason why you selected that job.
9.  a) Is worth your time and effort to go to college to learn how to do a job?  b) Why or why not?	
Education Pays (No Diploma to Professional Degree)	
$607$685 $880$1025
$1065
$1474$1715
$2234$2571
U.S. Work World
CAREER mini-lesson
College & Career Publishing. Permission to use with usworkworld.com subscription.