Attending a college or university is one of the most exciting experiences in a persons life. Despite this, it can oftentimes be difficult in knowing which degree you are aiming to study for and if the degree will even be applicable for high-paying jobs once you enter the job market. This guide is designed to give you everything you will need to know about undergraduate degrees and which ones are right for you.
What is An Undergraduate Degree
In essence, this type of degree is the first degree that students just graduating from high school will be eligible to receive. These degrees are typically associated with a Bachelor’s degree, which tends to take 3 to 4 years for students to complete. As an undergraduate student, this degree is highly important as it is the primary degree that one can earn in college. If you want to apply for graduate studies, the only way to first do so is by obtaining this degree. Overall, these degrees can have a wide variety of quality, which typically depends on the school of study and the subject that the degree is based on. There are also differing requirements for each area of study, which is why it’s important to ascertain all of those details before making your decision.
Online Degrees and Programs for Distance Learning
One of the best aspects of undergraduate degrees is that many colleges offer a means to take classes online. It can differ with each college though, as some offer a hybrid model, wherein students partake in both classroom and online studies. There are also some colleges and universities that allow students to choose from a selection of degrees that they can complete solely online. Before considering this, it should be understood that online degrees require a lot of focus and devotion, as well as a strong work ethic, as that is what it will take to remain on track when attempting to complete an online degree.
There are even entire online-based colleges that allow students to earn their degree online. If you attempt to earn one of these degrees, make sure that the school of choice is accredited. Programs for distance learning are highly similar to online degrees, though are typically meant for either an undergraduate or graduate student that had previously left college with their degree unfinished to complete the degree with distance education.
Highest Paying Degrees
If you’re an undergraduate considering a degree, then it’s essential to know which degrees make way for the highest paying jobs once leaving college. The overall job market these days is unstable at best, but there are a number of degrees that can pave the way for a high-earning job in a field with a high demand for workers. While graduate degrees do have a tendency to lead to higher paying jobs, there are a number of undergraduate ones that do so as well. Here’s a look a few of the highest paying degrees for undergraduates, which are based solely off the amount of money that can be earned at an entry-level position.
- Petroleum Engineering- $98,000
- Computer Engineering- $62,700
- Materials Science & Engineering- $60,100
- Computer Science- $58,400
- Finance- $57,400
Specific Degrees
There are a wealth of fantastic degrees for undergraduates to choose from, all of which can offer varying amounts of subjects to specialize in. For instance, if you decide to obtain a degree in engineering, it can be for anything from computer engineering to mechanical engineering.
Engineering
An undergraduate academic degree in engineering is commonly known as a Bachelor of Engineering. This type of degree will lead students to become a chartered, registered or licensed engineer in a wide range of fields, including that of automotive, chemical, environmental and mechanical engineering, among a plethora of others. Colleges or Universities that include this degree will typically be accredited by one of a myriad of Engineering Council’s professional bodies.
Business
A business degree is known as a Bachelor of Business and can be obtained from most colleges and universities. There are a large number of areas of study that undergraduate students can choose from, which include Tourism, Economics, Management and Marketing, as well as a variety of others.
Law
When pursuing an undergraduate law degree, it’s important to look for colleges that include Bachelor of Laws degrees. These are also referred to as LL.B. degrees. They allow students to attain a membership to the bar or law society, though it may be required to complete extra studies in some cases, depending on the profession. For students looking into this degree, you will often find that it is beneficial to work in law offices during summer vacation to gain experience and an entry-level position once your education is complete. Many top universities have their own law school, wherein you can obtain your law degree.
Psychology
Majoring and earning a degree in psychology can reap many rewards once finished with your collegiate studies. Despite the fact that you cannot become a licensed psychologist until you’ve undergone extra studying and earned your graduate degree, there are a wide range of entry-level positions that you can apply for with the skills you pickup from the undergraduate psychology degree, including advertising, psychiatric services, social work and career counseling, among others.
Medical
An undergraduate medical degree is often known as a Bachelor of Medicine. This degree is also typically awarded with the Bachelor of Surgery one as well. The only way to complete this degrees is by studying at a medical school within a university in the areas of medicine and surgery. This opens the path for students to complete graduate studies later on. Students that simply complete their undergraduate studies in this field at a med school can also claim usage of the title “Doctor”, though only within their country of graduation.
Physical Therapy
The only path that leads to a degree in physical therapy is one that will take students from earning a Bachelor of Science to a Master of Physical Therapy. For those looking to become physical therapy assistants, an Associate of Applied Science, which is another form of an undergraduate academic degree, can earn you a job in this field. Students who complete all of the first steps can apply to continue their studies with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy degree.
Occupational Therapy
There are a number of undergraduate bachelor degrees that can assist in becoming certified for occupational therapy, including Sociology, Anthropology and Psychology. Once you earn that degree, you’ll have to finish a Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, which can take around 2 years or less. This will allow graduates to work in a large number of places, including rehab centers, private practices and nursing homes.
Colleges Offering These Degrees
There are a number of colleges and universities that offer these degrees for undergraduates. The following is a look at some of the best.
UGA
The University of Georgia offers a variety of degrees for undergraduates in a wide range of fields, including the Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Science in Health Promotion, Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Biological Engineering, as well as a litany of others.
Park University
Park University, located in Missouri, is a fantastic college for undergraduates looking to obtain there degrees online or in the classroom, as the university offers a wealth of online degrees, including Bachelor of Psychology, Sociology, Management and Healthcare Management, among many others. The on-campus degrees include all of these and much more.
Harvard
Harvard is one of the most prestigious universities in the nation. Two of the most popular degrees for undergraduate students are Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science, which includes concentrations in Electrical Engineering, Computer Sciences, Engineering Sciences and much more.
MSU
Michigan State University is a great place for undergraduate students to obtain their degrees, as there are over 150 major programs for undergraduate students to choose from.
Texas A&M
Texas A&M University is home to 10 distinct programs that offer undergraduate students the ability to choose from dozens of degrees. The university is particularly popular for the studies they offer at the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, which include Biochemistry, Forestry and Entomology.
Top 10 Best Degrees
Undergraduate students can choose from hundreds of degrees, which can make things a bit difficult when deciding which degree you aim to study for. To simplify the process, here’s a list of the top 10 best degrees for undergraduates.
- Psychology
- Nursing
- Economics
- Computer and Information Sciences
- Biological Sciences
- Business Administration
- Human Resources
- Mechanical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Marketing
