Academic degree

Academic Degree

An Academic Degree is a qualification awarded to students upon successful completion of a course of study in higher education, normally at a college or university. These institutions commonly offer degrees at various levels, typically including bachelor's, master's and doctorates, often alongside other academic certificates and professional degrees.

Pronunciation

UK: /əˈkæd.ə.mɪk dɪˈɡriː/
US: /əˈkæd.əˌmɪk dɪˈɡriː/

Etymology

The term "degree" comes from the Latin de- ("down") and gradus ("step"). In the Middle Ages, both "degree" and "step" were used for the ranks of the scholastic hierarchy. The term "academic" is derived from the Ancient Greek Akadēmía, a public gathering place where Plato used to teach.

Types of Academic Degrees

Bachelor's Degree: An undergraduate academic degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to seven years.
Master's Degree: A graduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice.
Doctorate Degree: The highest academic degree awarded by universities in most countries.

Related Terms

Higher Education: An optional final stage of formal learning that occurs after completion of secondary education.
Undergraduate Degree: A colloquial term for an academic degree taken by a person who has completed undergraduate courses.
Postgraduate Degree: A degree awarded by universities or colleges after completion of an undergraduate degree.
Professional Degree: A degree that prepares someone to work in a particular profession, often meeting the academic requirements for licensure or accreditation.