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A degree does not always mean the traditional four years of college or lots of competition for spots. Some degree programs take only one or two years to finish and accept most students who apply. Earning a certificate takes even less time than earning an academic degree. In addition, a degree does not have to mean debt (see Paying for School or Training).

There are many good reasons to think about getting a certificate or degree. If you agree with any of the following statements, a certificate or degree might be the right choice for you:

• I want the responsibility and extra pay that comes with a higher-level job.
• With more knowledge or training, I can help people more.
• I have ideas about how to do things better and could put them into action if I had a higher-level job.
• I want to build a career and share my ideas with others.
• I’m a good student and I want to continue my education.

There are five basic types of degrees: certificate, associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate. Here are some basic facts about each degree:

Certificate

A certificate is given for completion of a training program that focuses on a particular technical skill or job. Such programs usually last from six months to one year and can be taken after high school. You can receive certificate training in an educational setting — such as a community college, technical school or university — or in a job setting, such as a hospital or health clinic. Some health jobs that support the work of doctors and nurses require certificate training. As a group, these jobs are typically called the “allied health professions.” Examples of allied health care jobs that require certificate training include home health aides, medical appliance technicians and surgical technologists.

Associate’s Degree

An associate’s degree is generally a two-year degree earned at a community college, technical school or university after taking about 20 courses. With an associate’s degree, you will have more job responsibility and receive higher pay than with a high school diploma or certificate. Many of the allied health professions require an associate’s degree. These jobs include technicians and technologists who operate diagnostic machines and the assistants who aid different types of professionals, such as nutritionists and occupational therapists. If you decide to continue your education beyond the associate’s degree, the credits you earned usually count toward a bachelor’s degree.

Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree is given after completing what is typically referred to as a four-year college or university. The difference between a university and a college is that a university also has graduate programs that go beyond the bachelor’s degree, while a college does not. Study for a bachelor’s degree usually includes two years of general study and two years of focused study in a specific field or major. Careers in health care that require a bachelor’s degree include dietician, nutritionist, some scientists and some therapists.

Master’s Degree

To be eligible for most master’s degree programs, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree. The master’s degree can be earned in one or two years. The degree is becoming more popular for launching people into careers in biotechnology, bioinformatics and mental health counseling. Getting a master’s degree can give you a big advantage when applying for jobs in almost any area of the health field and will increase your salary after a relatively short investment of time. Examples of health careers that require a master’s degree include family therapists, licensed educational psychologists, physical therapists and speech-language pathologists.

Doctorate

A doctorate is the highest degree awarded by an American university, and there are several types. For all types, students must have a bachelor’s degree first. Students who want to become physicians apply to accredited medical schools — four-year programs that result in the degree of medical doctor (M.D.). Students who want to become scientific researchers or teachers apply to university graduate programs in a particular science field and may take six years or longer to complete their degrees, with much of that time spent doing independent research. Upon completion of doctoral study, students are awarded a doctoral degree. The most well-known doctoral degree is a doctor of philosophy, or Ph.D. Other doctoral degrees include doctor of engineering (D.Eng.) and doctor of science (D.Sc. or Sc.D.). Examples of health careers that require doctorates include physicians, psychologists and some pharmacists.

Selecting Schools

The search for the right school to attend after high school can seem overwhelming, but you can narrow your search by asking yourself some questions to find out what programs are right for you. For example: What degree am I seeking? Where is the school located? What size is the school? Are there work opportunities available as part of my training? Are graduates of that school employed in jobs that appeal to me?

College and Graduate Entrance Tests

There are a variety of tests that students are required to take or may choose to take when applying to schools to earn a degree. Check with the schools that you are interested in to determine which entrance exams they require or recommend. Check the links below to find out how and when to register for these exams, or ask your guidance counselor how and where to sign up.

• SAT: Most colleges require students’ scores on the SAT, which is made up of three sections: critical reading, math and writing.
• SAT Subject Tests: These tests measure your knowledge of a particular subject area. The most relevant to health are Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math Level 1 and Level 2.
• ACT (American College Test): This test is an alternative to the SAT and is not as widely used as the SAT, so check with the schools before taking the ACT.
• AP (Advanced Placement) Tests: These tests are designed to measure a student’s knowledge of a particular subject — English, math, reading, science and writing — usually after taking the AP class during the school year.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): This test measures English reading and writing skills of those students whose first language is not English.
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): This test measures verbal, math and writing skills at an advanced level and gauges readiness for graduate education at the master’s or doctoral level.
• GRE Subject Tests: These tests measure undergraduate achievement in eight specific disciplines: biochemistry, cell and molecular biology; biology; chemistry; computer science; literature in English; mathematics; physics, and psychology.
• MCAT (Medical College Admission Test): This test assesses critical-thinking skills and science concepts, and is required by most four-year medical schools.

Completing Applications

The first step in applying to a school is to get the application — either through your career counseling office or by writing, phoning or requesting an application over the Internet. The application for each school contains all the instructions about how to apply. Different schools have different requirements for admission, so be sure to check with the institutions where you’re applying to ensure that you send them a complete application.

Most schools require students to take the following steps:

• Complete the school’s questionnaire about yourself.
• Arrange to have a high school transcript sent to the college or university.
• Ask one or two teachers and/or a college advisor to fill out a letter of recommendation or evaluation form recommending you to the college or university.
• Write a personal essay as outlined by the school.
• Fill out the financial aid profile, if needed.
• Have an interview on or off campus, if needed. (See the Interview.)