Which degree - and how should I earn it?

How do you know which degree type is for you? And how do you know the best way to earn it? The answer to both questions can be found within one simple statement: It depends on what you want to do.

Begin with your ultimate goal, then work backwards. After all, a degree or course of study isn't an end unto itself - it's a step toward a better future. Here's a breakdown of the degree types you'll encounter as you research your educational opportunities:

Associate's Degrees - Typically offered by junior colleges and some universities. Full-time students spend two years earning their associate's degree. Part-time students take somewhat longer, although online coursework can shorten this timeframe significantly. An associate's degree is best leveraged toward technical careers, office management careers and some accounting disciplines (although a host of options are available). This degree will give you a significant employment edge over those with a high school diploma.

Bachelor's Degree - An undergraduate degree offered by a college or university. It takes the typical full-time student four years to complete a bachelors degree. Part-time students take somewhat longer, although online coursework can enable quicker graduation. Bachelor's degrees are particularly appealing to working professionals who hold associate's degrees. Generally, these individuals are able to advance their careers while earning their bachelor's degrees part-time. You can choose to major in one field and pursue a concurrent minor course of study in any discipline of your choice.

Master's Degree - A master's degree is a graduate-level degree from a university or college. A bachelor's degree must be earned first. It can take anywhere from one to six years to earn a master's degree, and can be either academic-based or research-based. There are several types of master's degrees: The Master of Arts (MA), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science (MS), among others. Earning this level of degree requires significant time and money, even with a flexible, career-friendly online program. As such, it's a degree level that's most appealing to mid-career professionals who have the resources to pursue it.

Doctorate - Sometimes called a doctoral degree, this is the highest academic level awarded by a college or university. It typically takes two to three years to complete after attaining a master's degree. Doctoral degrees provide significant opportunity in terms of salary and career advancement. Some fields - such as psychology, education and public health, to name a few - are online-friendly and provide some avenues for degree completion via the Internet. Other fields - such as medicine - require nearly exclusive on-campus education. Some disciplines allow a combination of both.

Certificate/Diplomas - As an alternative to degrees, many educational institutions offer certificates or diplomas in specific areas of study. This avenue may be appealing to you if, for instance, the steps for a formal master's degree aren't required for your discipline and you wish to gain the necessary knowledge without additional coursework or completing a thesis. A careful assessment of your career goals will help you identify if a certificate or diploma is a viable alternative for you.

You've got several modes of study to choose from, too. Here's a look at what they all mean:

Online - This avenue of study allows you to complete coursework via the internet through virtual classrooms, real-time online discussions and online testing components. It offers the most flexibility in terms of degree completion. Online degrees are just as common as "traditional" degrees, but be sure that the degree-granting institution is accredited. This is a way to ensure the college or university is held in esteem in the academic community.Some online degrees are more cost-effective than their on-campus counterparts; others are not. It varies from institution to institution. The best course of action is to do your homework on costs - before class even begins.

On Campus - This is the "traditional" college experience, where students gather in classrooms for lectures, discussions and labs.Some students benefit from face-to-face instruction and dynamic peer interactions. For others, it's not an integral part of the learning experience. Consider your own learning style - and your availability in terms of time and flexibility - when considering college on campus.Some fields - such as the sciences, where hands-on lab work is critical to understanding - require at least some on-campus study. This is not necessary for other disciplines.

Hybrid - Many colleges and universities are now taking a "best of both worlds" approach through hybrid education - a combination of on-campus and online study. With this technique, students visit campus for some lectures and lab work, and augment their study with online discussion groups, message boards and video/audio lectures. Testing and assessment is also made available online. Many universities will combine online and in-person study within the same course, so it's important to stay organized. To maximize the benefits of hybrid study, you must be motivated and deadline-oriented.

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