A doctoral degree is the highest level of academic achievement. It usually takes no less than 3 years and in many cases more than 7 years to complete, depending on the field of study. Doctoral degrees are often a requirement for those interested in pursing a career in the academic world. A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree is the required education for entrance into a doctoral degree program. There are three types of doctoral degrees including: professional, research and honorary. The final step in a doctoral degree program is a dissertation or academic research paper which is defended in a public arena. There are some doctoral degrees for which there is no dissertation such as a medical doctor or juris doctor also known as a lawyer.
Business & Management
Any organization that provides services to clients requires businesspeople to keep the books and see that operations are running smoothly. This is true whether the organization is a multimillion-dollar corporation, the corner bodega, government offices, or a nonprofit hospital. Business degrees help prepare you for a wide variety of roles essential to operating a successful business, whether you have a knack for numbers, a flair for sales, a gift for leadership and management, or the patience to keep the company IT network humming. Business degrees are offered at all program levels, from entry-level accounting diplomas to MBAs, and generally run from one to four years, depending on the degree.
Computers & Technology
There are more than one billion personal computers in use worldwide today. That’s a lot of computers to program and maintain, and a lot of technology networks to support. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, information technology workers who earn an associate’s degree in computers are paid an average of $3,760 a month. Workers with a vocational certificate in engineering can earn even higher pay. If the virtual world of information technology is second nature to you, upgrade your skills for collecting into a marketable resume. Choose from IT degrees in communications, digital graphics, networks and databases, programming, and operating systems. Or, apply your technology expertise to a specialization in business, healthcare, security, or project management. CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, and Linux all offer certifications.
Source: Gartner, Inc., 6/23/2008
Criminal Justice & Legal
Being a bounty hunter may seem glamorous, but that’s only if you get your own TV show (don’t count on it). Otherwise, it’s pretty hard work and involves a lot of sitting around waiting for your quarry to show up. Criminal Justice and Law offer many other more interesting and more rewarding career opportunities. Twenty-first century pressures and new specializations such as homeland security have broadened the need for criminal justice and legal services, resulting in a greater demand for trained professionals. Schools have responded by increasing their degree programs. Most criminal justice degree programs are offered at the associate, bachelor, and master’s degree levels, and many paralegal programs are offered as diplomas requiring less than a year to complete, in addition to longer associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs.
Education & Teaching
Education and teaching degrees help prepare educators at all levels to create environments that help others to learn. Whether you enjoy working with enthusiastic kindergartners, intense teens, or inspired adults, programs are offered at every degree level, from a teaching assistant diploma to an education studies doctorate. Choose from teaching degrees, education leadership and principalship degrees, special education degrees, early childhood education degrees, adult education and literacy degrees, and education specializations such as curriculum and instruction, distance learning, and education technology. Teaching isn’t an easy job, but education is the key to a better life, and helping others open their doors of opportunity is highly rewarding. No dedicated teacher is ever forgotten.
Nursing & Healthcare
Healthcare is a booming industry right now—and will be for some time to come. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3 million new jobs in health care between 2006 and 2016, so pursuing a career in this large industry could be good for your financial health. Another advantage of this service sector is its wide range of jobs, from nursing to healthcare administration to medical technology. Nurses will be in high demand over the next decade, but so will medical diagnosticians, insurance billers and coders, EMTs, healthcare managers and medical office administrators, and rehabilitative and wellness therapists. Diploma and degree programs in the healthcare industry can prepare you for these careers and other specialties, such as surgical technology, pharmacy assistance, nutrition and exercise, and veterinary medicine.
Psychology & Human Services
In addition to the usual satisfaction that comes with having a career including being a productive citizen, bringing home a paycheck and perhaps benefits, a career in Psychology & Human Services offers a deeper sense of satisfaction since it involves helping others. A bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree in a variety of Psychology disciplines can lead to many career opportunities such as research, or counseling students, addicts or families through a variety of life situations, helping them grow and succeed in their relationships, academic or professional endeavors and more. Organizational Psychology and Industrial Psychology apply psychological concepts and theories to creating a better, more efficient workplace. Human Service careers focus on a variety of individuals and groups, for instance providing assistance to the elderly and children. Other Human Service careers involve developing public service programs, contributing to the greater good at a community level. Like so many careers, greater opportunities and responsibilities usually go hand in hand with higher education.
Religion
The earliest known Latin root of religion, religio, had several interpretations, including “reverence for God or the gods,” and “careful pondering of divine things.” Religio itself is thought to come from the Latin “re” (again) and “ligare” (to bind; to connect): “to reconnect.” And indeed, religion at its best brings people together through faith and commitment, and connects and reconnects people through service and compassion. Generally, those who enter religion as a vocation see it as a calling and a privilege. If this is you, explore the religious studies degree programs for one that fits your purpose. Choose from programs in ministry, divinity, pastoral counseling, Christian leadership, theological studies, and more. Religion programs are offered online, on campus, and in blended format, a combination of campus and online study.
