A professional degree merely serves to prepare students for employment in a particular field or profession. These degrees typically satisfy the prerequisites for certification, accreditation, or licensure, as each job requires them. Depending on the standards in a particular field, professional degrees can range in level; in the United States, the majority of professional degrees are doctorates. First-professional degrees were also used up until 2011, when the new post-baccalaureate award categories took their place.
The term “professional degree” is no longer used very frequently in the United States because it has largely been replaced by just using the specific titles of each degree. A professional degree, such as one in law, pharmacy, medicine, or education, is one that equips students for careers in those fields. This kind of degree satisfies the prerequisites for certification, accreditation, or licensure as required by a particular field. A doctor of medicine and a juris doctorate are two readily recognizable examples of the many degrees we now regard as professional degrees that must be obtained prior to starting a particular practice.
Professional degree programs emphasize the practical application of what you learn in them, so that as you progress through your education you gain practical experience and strengthen your resume. Unlike degree programs that result in academic degrees, this is different. Because academic degrees place a strong emphasis on research methods and theoretical knowledge, they are now more commonly referred to as research degrees. These courses require students to finish a thesis or capstone project in place of clinical or practicum hours. A Doctor of Philosophy or PhD is the result of doctoral programs with this academic or research focus.
Before 2011, graduates could receive what was referred to as a first-professional degree. A first-professional degree was one that satisfied requirements like finishing the academic requirements to start practicing in the profession, completing at least two years of college coursework before enrolling in the program, and finishing the degree program in its entirety over at least six academic years. There were ten fields in which a student could obtain this kind of degree at that time. These professions included veterinary medicine, audiology, chiropractic, dentistry, law, education, nursing practice, optometry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, podiatry, and theology. All of these degrees were reclassified by the Department of Education in 2011, with the exception of first-professional degrees in Theology, which were reduced to Masters’ degrees. The majority of these degrees fell into the newly established “doctor’s degree-professional practice” category. First-professional certificates became Post-masters certificates.
Following the change, almost all professional degrees that a student can obtain will be considered doctorates under the category of doctorate-professional practice. However, the Department of Education no longer mandates that all professional degrees be doctorates or places restrictions on the fields in which they can be granted. For instance, the Master of Engineering and the Bachelor of Architecture are both professional degrees.
Different Types Of Degrees Explained: (Associates, Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate, and Professional)
How to get a professional degree
If you determine that you need a professional degree to achieve your professional goals, look into the options for getting one. Depending on the institution and program, the path to a degree will vary, but most share the following steps:
1. Get your undergraduate degree
Getting your bachelors degree typically takes four years. The majority of schools demand that you decide on a major by the end of your second year. If you are certain of the career you want to pursue, you can select a major that will equip you with the necessary knowledge and abilities and get you ready for the following steps in the professional degree path.
2. Take a professional degree admissions exam
Your chosen professional admissions test will depend on the degree you wish to pursue. There are various entrance exams for each type of degree, including the following:
3. Get your masters degree
With the completion of a master’s program, many professions either require it or offer higher earning potential. You can choose to forego or complete your master’s degree while working toward your doctoral or Ph D. program depending on the school. Masters programs usually take one to two years to complete.
4. Get your doctoral degree
While some professionals must earn a doctoral degree in order to practice their profession, others may do so in order to advance or to be seen as an authority in their field. Doctoral programs can take up to eight years to complete. Professional degrees are only those that emphasize professional learning rather than academic learning.
What is a professional degree?
A professional degree is a course of study intended to prepare you for employment in a particular field or profession. With this degree, you may also be eligible for certain field-specific licenses, accreditations, and certifications. Without a professional degree, you cannot work in some professions. Professional degrees come in a variety of names, but they all aim to give you the specialized knowledge you need to succeed in your line of work.
You may have heard of the term “first professional degree. Professional degrees are the same as first professional degrees. Although some people still refer to a professional degree as a first professional degree, the term is out of date.
While there are jobs in every industry that only need a bachelor’s degree or less, some other positions might need more education and training. There are a lot of jobs that need a professional degree in the following sectors:
Professional degrees differ from academic degrees that place more of an emphasis on research than learning a profession in that they must also teach you how to perform your chosen job.
List of professional degrees
There are numerous professional degrees available that can be applied to numerous fields and jobs. Here are the most common professional degrees:
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
If you want to work in medicine, you must have a doctorate in medicine. Holders of an M. D. have a high salary based on their specialization. The top earners in medicine are general surgeons and anesthesiologists.
Juris Doctor (J.D.)
Students must obtain a Juris Doctor degree if they want to practice law. One or more areas of law, such as criminal, constitutional, civil, administrative, or corporate law, are covered in the program. A Master of Legal Studies may be a better option for you if you want to work in the legal field without actually practicing law.
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
Professionals who want to work in pharmacy should consider becoming a doctor of pharmacy. The degree includes clinical practice, teaching, research, and other fundamental elements of the discipline.
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
In-depth coursework and exploratory research are required for a doctor of education program. Ed. D. In the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary sectors, holders can pursue careers as educational administrators. In the field of education, they can also work as instructional coordinators and in other capacities.
Doctor of Dental Medicine or Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.M.D. or D.D.S.)
You must have a D to work as a dentist. M. D. or D. D. S. You will experience the same training and courses for either degree, and the degrees are equivalent. The school is in charge of determining whether to give a D. M. D. or D. D. S.
Doctor of Optometry (O.D.)
An optometrist treats and diagnoses patients’ visual issues and recommends corrective eyewear. In accordance with their profession, interests, and lifestyle, optometrists also advise their patients on the best surgical and non-surgical options to improve their visual health.
Doctor of Podiatry (D.P.M., D.P., Pod.D.)
A podiatrist determines the cause of and treats ankle and foot problems. Podiatrists are in charge of treating pain in their patients, writing prescriptions for medication, scheduling surgery when necessary, and outlining all other options for their well-being.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M, V.M.D.)
A veterinary medicine professional degree will prepare you for the clinical, research, and teaching facets of caring for animals. With experience, veterinarians have a high earning potential and are frequently in demand.
Master of Health Administration (MHA)
A master’s degree in health administration can help you find high-paying jobs in the public and private sectors if you want to work in the healthcare industry. This two to three year program combines rigorous coursework with real-world administrative experience.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
One of the most sought-after professional degrees is the MBA. Students from a variety of business backgrounds are educated in the program, which covers topics like financial management, financial analysis, taxation, and investments, among others. This degree can be used by people in a variety of managerial and marketing positions in businesses.
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Master of Public Administration is a professional degree that can be obtained by those working in the public sector. These courses teach abilities in management, political science, public affairs, and more.
There are numerous universities that also offer professional degree programs in fields like accounting, engineering, and architecture. To increase your earning potential, skills, and opportunities for advancement, you can select from a variety of well-structured programs.
Jobs that require a professional degree
Professional training can support your pursuit of a lucrative and fulfilling career. Some of the best positions you can obtain with a professional degree are listed below:
Job duties: Examine and treat animals. Perform wellness checks, x-rays and routine surgeries for animals. Emergency medicine is sometimes required.
Plan and oversee all of a school district’s operations and activities. Make executive decisions on budget, staff and educational plans.
Job duties: Protect patents for creative and intellectual property. Must be able to maximize clients’ potential for revenue from their intellectual property and represent clients in federal and state courts.
Job duties: Complete drug review of all new prescriptions ordered. Supply patients with drug counseling before distributing prescriptions.
Job duties: Perform surgery on mouth, jaw, head and neck. Extract teeth or prepare the mouth for dental implants. May need to sedate patients.
Job duties: Sedate patients before surgery. Handle pain relief of patients during and after surgery. While performing surgery, keep an eye on vital signs and provide emergency medical care as necessary.
FAQ
What is considered a professional degree?
A professional degree, also referred to as a first professional degree, is one that prepares you for a specific career. Law degrees are the most typical examples of professional degrees (J D. s) and medical degrees (M. D. s).
What is a professional degree student?
GLOSSARY. A student who is pursuing educational opportunities beyond a bachelor’s degree is referred to as a graduate or professional student. The master’s and doctoral degrees offered by graduate and professional programs, including Ph D. , J. D. , and M. D. , among others.
Is master’s degree a professional degree?
Depending on the country and the profession in question, professional degrees can be graduate or undergraduate entry and can be categorized as bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees.
Which is the best professional degree?
The doctor degree is regarded as the most prestigious degree because doctors have the ability to heal and attend medical schools to learn medicine. M. B. B. S. (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery), B. D. S. (Bachelor of Dental Sciences), B. H. M. S.
