You want to continue your education. You’ve combed through college websites. You see that there are many different types of programs—some are individual courses, and some programs lead to a diploma, or an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree. What do these terms mean to you?

Here’s the lowdown on the different levels of achievement offered by career schools and colleges.

• Continuing Education: These are courses that are typically offered to working adults. Classes are often held in the evening or on weekends to accommodate students’ busy schedules. Programs run the gamut—from cooking or painting to traditional liberal arts courses such as writing or history, and technical programs in auto repair or computers. Classes may last only one night, or continue over several weeks. 

These classes do not lead to a degree or certificate. They are taken one at a time, for enjoyment, to acquire specific knowledge, or to help the student advance in the workplace. Sometimes, credits from continuing education courses can count towards a degree, if the institution is accredited.

• Certificates and Diplomas: The terms are roughly interchangeable. Programs usually last one year, if courses are taken full-time.

For example, a typical medical assisting program will require the completion of 30 course credits. A course may count for anywhere from one to five credits, depending upon the duration and difficulty of the course. Most classroom courses count for three credits. Medical assisting programs often require the completion of four or five core subjects, such as an introduction or overview course, basic anatomy, and medical terminology. These count for twelve credits. An additional twelve credits must be earned in an area of specialty, such as administrative or clinical medical assisting. In addition, students must earn credits in a laboratory or clinical workplace environment.

Sometimes, even after you earn a certificate from a career college, you must pass a state or federal exam before you are eligible to begin work. Your career college can give you the information you need.

• Associate Degree: Taken full-time, most associate degree programs last two years.

For example, an associate of applied science in electronics and computer technology might require 71 credit hours. Courses might include communication skills (seven credits), humanities (three credits), social sciences (three credits), professional development (five credits), math and science (eight credits), electronic circuits (14 credits), digital computer systems (15 credits), electronics and controls (eight credits), and computer networks (seven credits).

Many community colleges offer two-year associate degree programs. Upon graduation, students may choose to continue their education by applying to a four-year college and earning their bachelor’s degree during the next two years.

• Bachelor’s Degree: Taken full-time, most bachelor’s degree programs take four years to complete when commenced after high school graduation or earning a GED. Some programs (such as engineering) may take five years.

A typical bachelor of science in business administration degree will require a minimum of 124 credit hours. Courses might include communication skills (15 credits), humanities (nine credits), social sciences (nine credits), professional development (five credits), math and science (12 credits), business core (36 credits), and 39 credits in a concentration such as accounting or sales and marketing.  

Generally, at liberal arts colleges, students are required to concentrate on a major (English, math, history, chemistry). Credits may be tallied as semester hours. For example, a program in political science may require 44 semester hours of classroom study for graduation. That’s about five and one-half hours per semester. Courses vary in how often they meet—seminars may meet only once a week, or others may meet twice a week.

Check out the many career schools and colleges on EducationForCareers.com. You’re sure to find the program that’s right for you!