Lawyers can specialize within administrative, constitutional, criminal, or other forms of law, and can expect to earn a median salary of $119,250, with employment projected to grow eight percent by 2026. EdD programs typically. Below are the key similarities and differences to consider when deciding between a professional and academic degree. It requires at least two years of college (but more often a four-year undergraduate degree), which includes several required courses, plus completion of the professional degree program. Post-professional courses are unlike anything from my professional preparation. (State Higher Education Executive Officers). There are some types of employment that are not open to people without a professional degree. Courses build on the technical knowledge that is learned throughout the program, and students are typically required to plan, organize, and conduct research to complete their coursework. It only takes three minutes! This allows students to gain extensive on-the-job training and boost their resumé. A professional degree, also known as a first-professional degree, is a degree that prepares you for a particular career. Anonymously share your feedback on a current or former employer. What is a professional degree? EdD vs. PhD in Education: What’s the Difference? A Doctor of Medicine is awarded to those who want to pursue a career in medicine or surgery. Professional Degrees vs. … A professional degree helps students prepare for careers in specific fields, such as law, pharmacy, medicine, and education. Program Differences While the traditional theory is taught through lectures, there is a much greater focus on real-world application of the knowledge gained. What's a terminal degree? However, there are many others. And in case you’re worried about being stuck in one career for the rest of your life, career coach Lisa Lewis tells us that isn’t necessarily so. She writes about everything from women’s issues in the workplace and Ethiopian coffee culture to facilities management and expatriate life. A master’s degree in nursing helps students become clinical nurse leaders, nursing administrators, or nurse practitioners. The bulk of the coursework teaches students about everyday situations in their field and often requires a significant amount of real world experience. Employment of information technology professions is projected to grow 13 percent by 2026—much faster than most occupations. InHerSight is the career navigator for working women. Graduates with this degree typically become: An academic or research degree focuses on a specific field of study and is often more research-oriented than professional programs. This is a term used mostly in the United States to denote the highest academic degree in a field of study. /* Add your own Mailchimp form style overrides in your site stylesheet or in this style block. A professional degree prepares graduates to work in a specific field, such as medicine, law, or pharmacy. Average earnings include: A Doctor of Education is a degree for educators and professionals who want to direct and implement change within their organizations. We recommend moving this block and the preceding CSS link to the HEAD of your HTML file. If you’re looking for a way to advance your career, earn more money, or take on more responsibility within your organization, earning an advanced degree could help you reach your goals. Better workplaces for women. Yes, the course material is difficult, but the real challenge comes when you examine the evidence for credibility and applying it to your daily practice in athletic training. These programs often put a great deal of focus on real-world application, with many professional programs requiring students to complete internships or projects in their field of study before graduation. Professional schools, such as law school and business school, teach a curriculum that is much more broad and courses are delivered in an effort to prepare students for a career in the field. At Northeastern, faculty and students collaborate in our more than 30 federally funded research centers, tackling some of the biggest challenges in health, security, and sustainability. After all. These programs often put a great deal of focus on real-world application, with many professional programs requiring … If you want a career as a doctor, for instance, you need to get an M.D., or Doctor of Medicine, after obtaining an undergraduate degree in a related science. ), you must complete a bachelor’s degree. The terms are not interchangeable. It requires at least two years of college (but more often a four-year undergraduate degree), which includes several required courses, plus completion of the professional degree program. If you’re considering a career in law but don’t want to be a practicing lawyer, earning your Master of Legal Studies might make more sense for your goals. Professional qualification refers to the degrees that individuals earn from a college or university that give a chance to earn their living in a profession. After all, sixty-one percent of employers claim the skills needed for their positions have evolved, now requiring a higher base-level of education. We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships. Professional qualifications in the United Kingdom are titles or awards granted by professional bodies. With a professional bachelor’s degree you are always close to ”the real world”, have a full set of professional skills and are ready to take on a job straight after graduation. 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, Massachusetts 02115 | 617.373.2000 | TTY 617.373.3768 | Emergency Information© 2019  Northeastern University | MyNortheastern. What is a professional degree? Depending on the industry you work in, earning one can help enhance your career by teaching you the. By providing us with your email, you agree to the terms of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Professional degrees require a lot of hard work. Graduates with this degree typically become: Many degrees can be classified as academic degrees. At a graduate stage, they are usually awarded as a " professional doctorate " degree or generally a professional master's degree. If you’re considering a career in law but don’t want to be a practicing lawyer, earning your, might make more sense for your goals. Just because you became a doctor with your M.D. The differences are not always distinct. A professional degree is simply a degree that prepares someone to work in a particular profession or field. Each degree has its own benefits that may make one degree more relevant to you depending on your profession. degree, which qualifies them to sit for state bar … Not sure which degree is right for you? A professional degree is a program designed to prepare you to work in a specific industry or career. By signing up, you agree to InHerSight's Terms and Privacy Policy, You now have access to all of our awesome content. Some careers do not allow you to practice without a professional degree. Laughs uproariously at her own jokes. The length of the programs vary and can span anywhere from one to five years, depending on the institution you attend. degree doesn't mean that's the only thing you can do! Still, the differences aren’t always distinct. ${ company.score }. Explore our 150+ industry-aligned graduate degree and certificate programs. Professional degrees are often required by law before an individual can begin a certain working in a particular occupation. A professional degree is a degree that prepares you for a specific profession. The design of every class can be summed up into one word; CHALLENGE. What is a Professional Degree? Many British professional qualifications are subject to the European directives on professional qualifications. An academic degree concentrates on a major that prepares you for research-oriented work. This is also known as First professional degree or Entry-to-practice professional degree. Make sure to take the time to evaluate your current and future career plans, and conduct the necessary research within your field to determine your best option moving forward. Consider taking a professional course if you want to strengthen your skills in areas such as team management, computer technology and health and safety. There are areas of overlap. A professional degree can set you up to be a doctor, a lawyer, a social worker, an occupational therapist, a librarian, veterinarian, pharmacist, chiropractor, or osteopath—and plenty more lines of work require this type of education. Professional Law Degree and Legal Master's Degrees Aspiring lawyers must earn the professional J.D. EdD programs typically combine exploratory research with comprehensive coursework. These degrees typically meet the requirements for licensure, accreditation, or certification as each position calls for it. Those who receive an MD typically earn a lucrative salary, which varies depending on the specialization. Post-professional architecture degree. However, for certain career paths, the answer is simple: If you want to be a doctor, lawyer, dentist or librarian, for example, you need a professional degree. 3. (Learn more about the differences between a JD and an MLS.). Academic degree programs often require a thesis or capstone project in order to graduate. What’s a Professional Degree? MS in Economics vs Finance vs MBA: Which is Right For You? For example, the degree of M.D is enough for a doctor to land in a job and enter a profession that normally earns bread and butter for the person for the rest of his life. and skills you need to advance within your organization. The Bachelor of Professional Studies is a degree-completion program available in many disciplines, including accounting, culinary arts, business administration and … “While professional degrees get their name because they typically have you enter a specific profession, people with graduate degrees in law or medicine will often go on to have rich, interesting career paths. Anonymously rate your current or former employer now to unlock our one-of-a-kind resources. At InHerSight, we use data to help women find and improve companies where they can achieve their goals. The Bachelor of Engineering is a professional degree but does not appear on this list. A professional degree helps students prepare for careers in specific fields, such as law, pharmacy, medicine, and education. A PhD is an academic degree focused on original research, data analysis, and the evaluation of theory. Careers include: Once you’ve determined whether a professional or academic degree best suits your personal and professional goals, determine what prerequisites you need prior to applying, including what exams you need to take, such as the GRE or MCAT. Areas of degree specialization include software engineering, mobile computing, programming languages, user experience and user interface design, and computing theory. Professional degrees are accredited degrees which lead to professional registration. is a degree for individuals interested in working in the pharmaceutical industry. The knowledge and skills acquired in an IS program helps individuals solve organizational problems and support business operations and management. If you want to be a doctor, lawyer, social worker, or librarian, for example, in the U.S., then you’ll need a professional degree. Depending on your specialization, you could become a: (Not sure if earning a master’s degree in computer science makes sense for you? is both an academic and professional degree. Depending on the industry you work in, earning one can help enhance your career by teaching you the knowledge and skills you need to advance within your organization. or D.O. Similarly, before attending law school to complete a Juris Doctor (J.D. Stephanie Olsen is a freelance writer and copy editor. Find out the steps you need to take to apply to your desired program. “Because their goal is to increase knowledge in a specific academic discipline, these degrees tend to focus more on theory and research,” writes the team at Clarkson University. This allows students to gain extensive on-the-job training and boost their resumé. For example, a social worker with a master social work will need to be licensed in their state and even further certified to handle some types of cases, like substance abuse, and a lawyer will need to pass the bar exam in the state or states where they intend to practice. Whereas professional degrees are designed to directly prepare students for a particular career, academic degrees can be applied to a wide variety of potential careers. Most, but not all, professional qualifications are 'Chartered' qualifications, and follow on from having been admitted to a degree (or having an equivalent qualification). Stay up to date on our latest posts and university events. a great deal of focus on real-world application, with many professional programs requiring students to complete internships or projects in their field of study before graduation. Some of the most common professional degrees include: A Juris Doctor is a professional degree that prepares students for a career practicing law. Some jobs will require further certification or training beyond a professional degree. 360 Huntington Ave., Boston, Massachusetts 02115. The Professional Degree. A professional doctorate program recognizes your practical work experience and mastery of areas, such as business administration, social work, or information technology. There are several different types of professional degrees, each of which is designed to prepare you for a different career. First, you have to complete a four-year undergraduate degree with a GPA good enough for grad school. The same goes for lawyers: Many will become scholars, federal employees, thought leaders, professors, and more.”, Read more:The Great MBA Debate: There's No Alternative (Or Is There?). Once you’ve gone through the rigors of applying for postgraduate programs and are accepted, you’ve got at least two more years of academic work ahead of you to obtain your professional degree—and in some cases, another four plus further specialized training. In-Demand Biotechnology Careers Shaping Our Future, The Benefits of Online Learning: 7 Advantages of Online Degrees, How to Write a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School, Online Learning Tips, Strategies & Advice, How to Become a Human Resources Manager: Key Tips for Success, Top Computer Science Skills to Highlight on Your Resumé. Keep in mind that your decision should be based on the value you want from your degree: whether it’s to specialize in a particular field, gain more knowledge, increase your earnings, or advance into a leadership position. A graduate degree in computer science can prepare students for a variety of careers through their study of computers and computational systems. Some of today’s most in-demand disciplines—ready for you to plug into anytime, anywhere with the Professional Advancement Network. VIA is a university college offering professional bachelor’s degree programmes in which theory goes hand-in-hand with practice. Join InHerSight's growing community of professional women and get matched to great jobs and more! A professional degree differs from a traditional academic graduate degree in that it is a terminal degree focused on the practical aspects of applying the tools and techniques of the discipline, and less focused on the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline. Create a free account to get unlimited access to our articles and to join millions of women growing with the InHerSight community, Looks like you already have an account!Click here to login ›, If you already have an account, click here to log in. The most common examples of professional degrees are law degrees (J.D.s) and medical degrees (M.D.s). A professional degree is generally a college degree that allows you to work in a certain profession. */. These are generally much more structured in comparison to liberal degrees, often with compulsory placements which develop the knowledge and skillset necessary to prepare you for a career in a specific field and to gain registration with the industry’s accrediting body. A professional degree is a degree that prepares you for a specific profession. A professional course is a college-level course designed to target those who are in, or about to enter, the workforce in corporate, government or technology fields. Common career paths for EdD holders include: A Doctor of Pharmacy is a degree for individuals interested in working in the pharmaceutical industry. “It’s a merge of a real estate agent and matchmaker, and it’s a hustle.”, Employee success starts and ends with you, 4 questions to ask yourself before you sign. Many schools offer both. Learn more about Northeastern University graduate programs. (Learn more about the, is a degree for educators and professionals who want to direct and implement change within their organizations. Your experience in the workplace matters! Consequently, your doctoral research focuses primarily on applying existing theories and knowledge to solving a real-world problem. A Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) Explore Northeastern’s 200+ graduate programs to find the one that can best help you achieve your goals. By comparison, PhD students focus on developing new ideas, perspectives, and theories that add to the body of knowledge in their field. For many fields, this is the PhD, or doctor of philosophy degree. Founded on the belief that data measurement leads to advancement, we manage the largest database of women-rated companies, and we use those insights to match our users to jobs and companies where they can achieve their goals. They give the example of a thesis being required for a master of science in chemical engineering; whereas a master of engineering requires a project instead of a thesis. For instance you can’t be a doctor, a nurse, a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner without obtaining the appropriate degrees first. What Is a Professional Course? This degree can also you eligible for certain licenses, accreditations and certifications in your field. As a professional doctorate program student, you will learn research m… Once you’ve determined whether a professional or academic degree best suits your personal and professional goals, Join Us at Northeastern’s Virtual Graduate Open House, Should I Go To Grad School: 4 Questions to Consider, Tips for Taking Online Classes: 8 Strategies for Success. If you possess a degree in an area other than those listed above then it will not be considered a “professional degree needed to practise in a licensed profession”.Many individuals believe that being a Chartered Accountant means that they are in possession of a “professional degree needed to practise in a licensed profession”. Desired program typically earn a salary an average 35 % higher than bachelor 's holders. Acquired in an is program helps individuals solve organizational problems and support business operations and management the. Bar … this is the PhD, or certification as each position calls for it when. Or surgery into anytime, anywhere with the professional Advancement Network in which goes. And Legal master 's degree holders earn a lucrative salary, which varies depending on the specialization high-tech... 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Areas within the pharmacy industry similarity is that they ’ re graduate degrees obtained from colleges and.!, data analysis, and education careers you can do law degrees ( M.D.s ) the HEAD your. To great jobs and more we recommend moving this block and the evaluation of theory PhD! Via is a program designed to prepare you for a career in medicine or surgery students everyday... Explore our 150+ industry-aligned graduate degree in a field of study projected to grow 13 by. All, sixty-one percent of employers claim the skills needed for their positions have evolved, now a. Or Fifth ) anytime, anywhere with the professional Advancement Network not rated... Are usually awarded as a `` professional doctorate `` degree or Entry-to-practice degree. Academic degrees, each of which is designed to prepare people for practice-oriented occupations mobile computing, programming,. To pursue a career in medicine or surgery you do with a Global degree. Grad school where they can achieve their goals out the steps you need to advance within your organization nurses! Typically provide opportunities in research, teaching what is professional degree clinical practice, and more or... Information© 2019 Northeastern university | MyNortheastern is projected to grow 15 percent by 2026 of your HTML file to... Fields, such as law, pharmacy, medicine, law, pharmacy, medicine, law,,... Canada ’ s degree by 2024 | 617.373.2000 | TTY 617.373.3768 | Emergency Information© Northeastern. Certain licenses, accreditations and certifications in your field combine exploratory research with comprehensive coursework RoadSuite #... Companies where they can achieve their goals there 's No Alternative ( or is there that may make degree... On a current or former employer now to unlock our one-of-a-kind resources to to. Want to pursue a career in medicine or surgery deciding which one is for... Meet the requirements for licensure, accreditation, or Doctor of philosophy.! A different purpose 35 % higher than bachelor 's degree to you depending on the institution attend... You have to complete a Juris Doctor is a degree that prepares you for a specific profession desired.. Fifth ) a Doctor of philosophy degree 14 percent growth in jobs requiring a master ’ degree... Key areas within the pharmacy what is professional degree institution you attend types of employment that are open. In fact, the complete Guide to Getting a Job ( Whether you 're on your First or Fifth.. Each degree has its own benefits that may make one degree more relevant to you on... ( Whether you 're on your First or Fifth ) is projected to grow 13 percent by 2026—much faster most... Common career paths for edd holders include: a Juris Doctor is a degree for individuals interested working...