• Difference Between a Bachelor's Degree & a Graduate Degree
• What types of Graduate Degrees are there?
• How do I know if graduate school is right for me?
  

     There are basically three levels of graduate degrees: master's, specialist, and doctorate degrees. The degree level that is best depends on your goals.

    The master's level degree may be a 'terminal' degree which leads to specific knowledge and skills of a field or it may be obtained in route to a doctorate degree. The master's degree usually takes one to three years to complete depending on your field of study. A master's degree may be the only degree you need, especially if you are planning to work in the professional arena in areas such as social work or business administration.

     A specialist degree is usually a degree pursued in addition to a master's in order to get more specific experience in a given area of interest. Often, a specialist degree qualifies you for additional certification or licensure in your profession. For example, school counselors, marriage and family therapists, and individuals in education may need specialized experience to meet licensing requirements. Additionally, experience in the form of field work or internship experience is usually required in route to a specialist degree.

     The doctorate level degree is the highest level degree program. If you are seeking a career in higher level education (professor) or research this is probably the right route for you. As part of an academic doctorate level program you will need to create and conduct original research in the form of a dissertation. With the dissertation included, this kind of program may take from 5-7 years to complete. There are also doctorate level programs in the professional arena which may require the application of new skills and obtainment of more specialized knowledge. A research paper may also be necessary for a professional degree, but not as heavily emphasized as it is in the academic areas.