There is a long debate on what is considered a professional degree and I know you are reading this page to get an answer. When you look at the main four types of degrees in the academic world (associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and doctoral degree), you will notice professional degree was not included.
Why?
A professional degree is not an isolated degree but rather a degree that can be acquired at the bachelor’s level. A more advanced professional degree can only be acquired at the Master’s level or Doctorate level. Let me show you an example before I explain further.
Housing Management and Development which is related to Urban and Regional Planning is a professional degree that can only be obtained at the Master’s Level and Doctorate Level.
Computer Science in itself is not a professional degree. However, there are professional courses you can study within Computer Science. For example, Software Engineering is a professional degree that can be obtained at Bachelor’s Level, Master’s Level and Doctorate Level. CyberSecurity is also a professional degree that can be obtained at Bachelor’s Level, Master’s Level, and Doctorate Level.
Software Engineering and Cybersecurity are part of the course curriculum in Computer Science. But students who choose to study Cybersecurity as a course, automatically study a professional degree because, unlike Computer Science, Cybersecurity is job oriented. Thus, a professional degree helps students prepare for careers in specific fields.
Another good example of a professional degree in Radiation Protection. However, such a degree can only be obtained at Master’s and Doctor’s levels. Students who study Physics as a course will come across Radiation Protection in their course curriculum.
However, they will lack the in-depth knowledge and required expertise in Radiation Protection except they go for the degree at the Master’s Level.
Meteorology is also a professional degree that can be obtained at Bachelor’s Level, Master’s Level, Doctorate Level.
Business Computing is also a professional degree that can be obtained at Bachelor’s Level, Master’s Level, Doctorate Level.
Forensic Odontology is also a professional degree that can be obtained at Master’s Level, Doctorate Level.
So, What is Considered a Professional Degree?
Any degree that focuses on developing the required skills and expertise in a specific career field is referred to as a professional degree. The purpose of a professional degree is to ensure that you are work ready for a career in a given field and have received the necessary training. This is because a professional degree put an emphasis on real-world application.
See 84 Examples Of Professional Degrees
Counselor
law