Degree (Academic)

It is an award or a title granted to a candidate by a college or a university to affirm the completion of the candidates’ chosen course of study.

Academic degree, more commonly termed as just ‘Degree’ is presented as a document sometimes accompanied by a medal of honour. The degree document is presented as a Scroll in a special ceremony called ‘Convocation’ or a ‘Graduation Ceremony/Day’. The scroll is a certification issued by the university or college stating the successful completion of candidates study as a member of a certain educational institute. The recipients are supposed to wear a ceremonial costume known as ‘Academic Dress’ or ‘Academical Regalia’. The dress comprises of a ‘Robe’ or a ‘Gown’ with accompanying ‘Mortarboard’ (square academic cap), ‘Tudor Bonnet’ (soft round cap) or a ‘Tam o' Shanter’ (type of bonnet cap) depending upon the region. Those who are unable to attend the ceremony can either collect the degree from the office of the institution or are sent the same at their mailing address.

The most commonly pursued ones are B.A. and the B.S. degree. Russia is the largest degree awarding country in the world as per the College Board report.  54% of the Russian Federation's population aged 25 to 64 has an Associate's Degree or Higher (Organisation for Economic and Co-operative Development). The streams in which the largest numbers of degrees are pursued include science, technology, engineering, medicine, and education.  A degree is a student’s symbol of literacy, accomplishment and specialisation. To gain an academic degree you have to complete an academic degree program by observing certain rules and an established course of study. Mere passing in the examinations or adhering to the rules does not result in acquiring a degree. Both rules and study have to be followed. An academic degree is more than just a qualification, it is a valuable asset, one which will not only get you respect but it will also get you a job. 

The conventional mode of acquiring a degree is the most prevalent one. A regular course of study, a part time or a distance one, have been the traditional modes of study. With paucity of time and comfort dependent population on the rise, acquiring a degree has become an easy task courtesy ‘Online Degrees’. Today, you can opt for this specialised branch of distance education wherein you can do everything sitting at your home without being concerned with the conventional chores of attending an institute. More on that later, first let’s acquaint ourselves with the history of academic degree.

History of Academic Degrees

The system of academic degrees evolved and expanded in Europe from 11^th to 12^th century onwards. Degrees were not the same then; they were professional certifications which specified that certain candidates have attained the guild (association) status of a ‘Master’. There was only one degree which was established, either that of a master or a doctor. In France and England the term ‘Master’ was used to refer a degree while in Italy it was ‘Doctor’. Academic degrees were considered as means to become a part of the teacher’s guild (profession of teaching) rather than actually becoming an intellectual.

By 13^th century, the system became a bit streamlined. The study before a master’s degree acquired the status of bachelor’s degree. This study wasn’t recognised as a formal one because it taught moral and intellectual education. The bachelor’s degree required a student to study for 3-4 years of prescribed study in ‘Trivium’. It included the study of Latin grammar, literature, rhetoric, law and logic (dialectic), collectively known as Liberal Arts.  It was in fact a degree of Bachelor of Arts (baccalaureate or bicentiate). Successful candidates were now eligible to pursue a degree of master or doctor. The bachelor’s degree was more of a stage towards mastering the teaching skill.

It would be a master’s or doctor’s degree, which would enable a candidate to teach at any university. The study for master’s degree was known as Quadrivium’. It comprised 3 years of study of arithmetic, geometry, geography, natural history, music and astronomy and astrology. This course was followed by Hebrew, and Greek philosophy and history. After completing the studies, the candidate was examined by the chancellor’s board and by the faculty. Upon clearing the exams, the candidate received a master’s or doctor’s degree. Master of Arts could then study under the higher faculties of law, medicine or theology and earn first a bachelor's and then master or doctor's degrees in these subjects.

This system of academic degree was propounded in European Universities during the Middle Ages (11^th-14^th century). The system influenced a similar pattern found in medieval universities. These included University of Cambridge, University of Montpellier, University of Orleans, University of Oxford, University of Padua, University of Palencia, University of Siena, University of Salamanca, University of Toulouse etc.

In the 14th century, southern European universities started to make a distinction between the Master and Doctorate degree. A student who studied arts or theology became a master and a student who studied civil law or canon law became a doctor. But at an academic level these were same and were different only in the subjects they studied and the profession they acquired. The development of the degree system in modern times developed slowly from the 14th century to the 20^th century. During this time, the traditional practice of teaching at educational institutes changed. Students started taking other professions even after acquiring a master’s degree. Bachelor’s degree acquired its own separate identity, master’s degree received the status of specialisation in a certain area and the doctorate degree became to be associated with research. The industrialisation and its consequent specialisation, especially in English speaking countries resulted in a variety of specific academic degrees in the 20th century. The degree system of the Europe was now adopted worldwide.

Academic Degree Hierarchy

Academic Degree Hierarchy is a logical order of degrees in which the first level of degree (undergraduate) achieved by a candidate is placed down the table. The second level of degree (post graduate) ones are placed at the top of the table. Their positions are based on their value both in terms of advanced study and experience. This hierarchy is followed in almost all parts of the world. The hierarchy defines the respective importance given to all the degrees. They also represent certain specialisations and achievements. There are however, certain discrepancies in the hierarchy as certain degrees break the norm. This has been mentioned in the following paragraphs.

Academic Degree Levels

The different levels of degrees in hierarchy are:

1. Associate Degree
2. Bachelor Degree
3. Masters Degree
4. Doctorate Degree

Academic Degrees List and Academic Degree Abbreviations

List of Bachelors Degree

List of Masters Degree

List of Doctorate Degrees