An Associate’s degree is an academic degree typically awarded by community colleges, junior colleges and some bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of 60 undergraduate credits.

Full-time students traditionally earn an Associate’s degree in two years.Many students complete their Associate’s degree online in less time. Part-time students enjoy greater scheduling flexibility with our online classes, and most students have access to a much broader selection of programs than are available through their local colleges and universities.

Occupational or professional Associate’s degrees qualify students for entry-level positions that do not require a Bachelor’s degree. Our colleges and universities offer occupational/professional degrees in fields such as computer programming, criminal justice, graphic design, paralegal studies and medical assisting. Occupational/professional Associate’s degrees are often terminal, in that the credits may not be transferable to a bachelor’s degree program.

A Bachelor's degree is an undergraduate academic degree from a college or university that typically requires four years of full-time study to earn 120-128 credits, including a required number of credits in the student's "major" discipline.

The two primary types of Bachelor’s degrees are:

• Bachelor of Arts (abbreviated B.A. or A.B.), which traditionally requires the student to earn a majority of credits in liberal arts classes such as social sciences, humanities and the arts.
• Bachelor of Science (B.S. or B.Sc), which traditionally requires students to earn a majority of credits in life sciences, physical sciences, or mathematics.

While this is the general distinction between the two types of Bachelor’s degrees, many colleges and universities award the B.A. for all "academic" programs, whether in humanities or sciences. Schools that offer applied professional training in fields such as criminal justice, finance and nursing often award the B.S. in these programs, even though science my not be central to the curriculum.

A Master's degree is a graduate academic degree from a college or university that typically requires one to three years of study. Most Master's programs require a Bachelor's degree as a prerequisite for admission.

In North America, the Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) are the most familiar types of Master's degrees. There are also numerous specialized Master's degrees offered in a wide variety of professional disciplines including: Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Education (MEd), Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Master of Project Management (MPM).

Master's programs range from being entirely course-based to entirely research based, with most programs structured to combine both approaches.

A doctorate is an academic degree of the highest level. Traditionally, the award of a doctorate implies recognition of the candidate as an equal by the college or university faculty under which he or she studied.

The two primary types of doctoral degrees are research doctorates and professional doctorates. Research doctorates are typically awarded in recognition of peer-reviewed academic research that is of a publishable standard. Professional doctoral degrees are awarded in fields such as medicine (MD) and law (JD) where candidates focus on qualifying for professional licensure rather than on research.

Certification programs vary widely and are available in most areas of study. Generally, certificate programs are more focused than degree programs and often can be completed over the course of several weeks or less.

Students enroll in online certificate programs for a variety of reasons, including to:

• Qualify for entry-level positions in fields such as medical office administration and Web Design & Development Degrees.
• Learn specific skills in their field, such as IT & Computer Science, Graphic Art & Design and Nursing & Allied Health.
• Meet specific requirements for professional certification in fields such as Business Programs,Hotel & Hospitality Management

Certificate programs are a great way for individuals with and without college degrees to enhance their qualifications. Job applicants who may not have direct experience in a particular job function can differentiate themselves to prospective employers with a certificate program that confirms that they have the necessary job skills.

Follow the choices below to explore our available Certificate Programs and request more information today.  The respective college or university will assist you in making sure that a particular program is the best choice for your educational and career goals.