The four widely recognized U.S. degree levels are associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Associate and bachelor's degrees are undergraduate credentials; master's and doctoral degrees are graduate credentials. Programs, entry requirements, duration, and professional meaning vary by field and institution.
These labels form a general sequence, not a universal career ladder. A higher degree is not automatically required or more valuable for every occupation.
Associate degree
An associate degree is a sub-baccalaureate undergraduate degree, usually requiring the equivalent of at least two years of full-time college-level study under the NCES definition. Common abbreviations include AA, AS, and AAS.
Community colleges frequently award associate degrees, although other institutions can award them too. Some programs prepare students to transfer toward a bachelor's degree; others emphasize career or technical preparation. Transfer is not automatic, and the receiving institution decides how credits apply.
Natural résumé wording:
Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology
Use the exact credential name. Do not shorten it to “college degree” if the specific award is relevant.
Bachelor’s degree
A bachelor's degree is the common undergraduate baccalaureate credential. NCES describes it as usually requiring the equivalent of at least four years of full-time college-level study, but actual completion time varies.
Common names include Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS), with many field-specific alternatives. The degree name does not by itself describe every course or skill.
“I have a bachelor's degree in economics.”
In American conversation, people may say they finished college when they completed a bachelor's degree, although associate-degree graduates also completed college-level credentials. If precision matters, name the degree.
Master’s degree
A master's degree is a graduate credential completed after a bachelor's degree or an accepted equivalent. NCES describes many master's programs as requiring one or two years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's, while noting that some programs take longer.
Examples include MA, MS, MBA, MEd, MEng, MFA, and MSW. Programs can emphasize research, professional practice, coursework, or a combination.
“I earned a master's in data science.”
The apostrophe matters in standard English: master's degree, but Master of Science when using the formal title.
Doctoral degree
A doctoral degree or doctor's degree is the highest broad award category for graduate study in NCES classifications. It includes research or scholarship doctorates, professional-practice doctorates, and other doctoral degrees.
A lot to take in? It is.
But Rome wasn't built in a day. Build your American workplace English one expression and cultural reference at a time—with curated explanations and structured practice in Lyra Practice.
Start a session →A PhD is one kind of doctorate, not a synonym for every doctoral degree. Requirements may include advanced coursework, examinations, supervised professional practice, original research, a dissertation, or another major project, depending on the program.
Not every doctorate requires a master's degree first. Admission pathways vary. Professional credentials and licenses also follow field-specific rules; holding a degree does not automatically authorize practice in every jurisdiction.
Degree, major, certificate, and diploma
A degree is the credential level. A major is generally the primary field within an undergraduate degree. See major, minor, and degree for that distinction.
A certificate is not automatically a degree. Certificates can exist at undergraduate, graduate, or professional-development levels and vary in length. A diploma may mean the physical document showing completion; internationally, it may name a different credential category.
Do not translate a non-U.S. credential by selecting the U.S. degree that “sounds closest.” Use the official English name or a credential evaluation when the employer, school, or licensing body requires one.
What might you hear at work?
“A bachelor's degree or equivalent experience is preferred.”
The posting allows a specified credential or another experience pathway, subject to the employer's interpretation and applicable policy.
“The tuition benefit covers a first master's degree.”
The plan may exclude additional graduate degrees or apply other conditions. Read the policy before enrolling.
“She has an associate degree and ten years of field experience.”
This states two qualifications. It should not be interpreted as a lesser version of someone else's path.
“Doctorate preferred, not required.”
The credential may strengthen an application but is not presented as mandatory. Recruiters should apply the stated criteria consistently.
What can you say naturally?
For a résumé or interview:
“I earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and later completed an MBA.”
For an international credential:
“My degree was awarded in Brazil. I can provide the official record and an evaluation if required.”
For benefits:
“Does the policy cover associate and certificate programs, or only bachelor's and graduate degrees?”
For clarification:
“Does ‘graduate degree’ include both master's and doctoral programs here?”
Status and hiring sensitivity
Degree language often carries class, race, disability, immigration, caregiving, and access implications. Avoid using educational level as a shortcut for intelligence, discipline, or cultural fit. Many jobs can be learned through work, apprenticeships, military training, certificates, or other routes.
In hiring, distinguish a legally or professionally required credential from a preference. In networking, “What brought you into this field?” is often more inclusive than “Where did you get your degree?”
For the broader level labels, see K–12, undergraduate, and graduate school. For institution vocabulary, see college versus university versus graduate school.
The practical takeaway
Associate and bachelor's degrees are undergraduate credentials; master's and doctoral degrees are graduate credentials. Durations and pathways vary, so use exact official titles, avoid inventing U.S. equivalencies, and connect education requirements to the actual work rather than prestige.