We are planning to discuss several aspects of obtaining qualifications in this section but first we want to look at the base lines that is pretty universal. The levels are High school, Diploma (2 years or more), Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate. We will discuss each of these briefly below.
High School - This level is like the basics for moving forward with work or university education. If you don't have a high school diploma or certificate, you should look into adult programs that offer these. Programs like the GED in the US are available in most countries. With an High School qualifications, you could get work in most occupational fields but very limited to advance without further training or focused personal development.
Professional Diploma - The word diploma is used in association with many courses and in fact more advanced degrees are referred to as diploma. For the purpose of this discussion, a Diploma is one given after completing a two year or more full time course. Some countries actually have three year diploma programs. In the US, this is normally called an Associate Degree. Typically completion of these courses either prepare you for further degree studies or taking a job in the skilled category. Honestly, this is a good start in life and if you continue to develop yourself, it would not limit your capabilities.
Bachelors - This is really the first degree that caters for bona fide professionals. This is the level where you would have had a comprehensive introduction and training in a specific professional field. You could look at it in terms of advancement from the Associate degree or as preparation for more detailed academic work. The Bachelors holder can get a trainee professional positions which allow them to grow up the organizational chain over time.
Masters - This is basically the next level over the Bachelors and then to address someone who wants to improve things. Meaning that the training is such that this person should be able to take a concept and develop on it. At this level you are either preparing to take on more hard core academic studies or you want to enter the work force as more of an innovator so to speak. Some masters degrees are terminal in the sense that they prepare you to fill a specific professional role and not too much into further studies. In the UK for example, there are Post-Graduate Certificates or Diplomas that fit into the same level as a Masters degree.
Doctorate - This is like the climax of the educational journey. A doctorate is normally very academic oriented and is focused on developing original ideas as part of the program. Nowadays, you have doctorates that are more occupationally focused as oppose to just strictly academic.
Professional Degrees - These at the same levels as regular degrees but mostly specialized to a profession for example Nursing etc.. There is data that implies that these degrees earn more salaries over time.
As we can see these are the basic levels of qualifications you can have, we will explore other qualifications that can map into these especially for persons without any but want to improve their standings with alternative schemes.
Here is a good write up on Wikipedia about degrees - Academic Degrees.
Also check out UNESCO's classification of educational levels - Here.
High School - This level is like the basics for moving forward with work or university education. If you don't have a high school diploma or certificate, you should look into adult programs that offer these. Programs like the GED in the US are available in most countries. With an High School qualifications, you could get work in most occupational fields but very limited to advance without further training or focused personal development.
Professional Diploma - The word diploma is used in association with many courses and in fact more advanced degrees are referred to as diploma. For the purpose of this discussion, a Diploma is one given after completing a two year or more full time course. Some countries actually have three year diploma programs. In the US, this is normally called an Associate Degree. Typically completion of these courses either prepare you for further degree studies or taking a job in the skilled category. Honestly, this is a good start in life and if you continue to develop yourself, it would not limit your capabilities.
Bachelors - This is really the first degree that caters for bona fide professionals. This is the level where you would have had a comprehensive introduction and training in a specific professional field. You could look at it in terms of advancement from the Associate degree or as preparation for more detailed academic work. The Bachelors holder can get a trainee professional positions which allow them to grow up the organizational chain over time.
Masters - This is basically the next level over the Bachelors and then to address someone who wants to improve things. Meaning that the training is such that this person should be able to take a concept and develop on it. At this level you are either preparing to take on more hard core academic studies or you want to enter the work force as more of an innovator so to speak. Some masters degrees are terminal in the sense that they prepare you to fill a specific professional role and not too much into further studies. In the UK for example, there are Post-Graduate Certificates or Diplomas that fit into the same level as a Masters degree.
Doctorate - This is like the climax of the educational journey. A doctorate is normally very academic oriented and is focused on developing original ideas as part of the program. Nowadays, you have doctorates that are more occupationally focused as oppose to just strictly academic.
Professional Degrees - These at the same levels as regular degrees but mostly specialized to a profession for example Nursing etc.. There is data that implies that these degrees earn more salaries over time.
As we can see these are the basic levels of qualifications you can have, we will explore other qualifications that can map into these especially for persons without any but want to improve their standings with alternative schemes.
Here is a good write up on Wikipedia about degrees - Academic Degrees.
Also check out UNESCO's classification of educational levels - Here.