The hooding ceremony is a graduation tradition for doctoral students.
An advanced college degree is anything above a bachelor's degree. These include master's degrees and doctoral degrees. Master's degrees signify that the student has a deeper level of subject knowledge that the undergraduate student though he cannot yet contribute new knowledge to the discipline. Those with a doctoral degree should have the highest level of knowledge in their field and are expected to continually produce new material to contribute to their discipline's knowledge base.
Master of Science or Master of Arts
These are the two most commonly awarded masters degrees. MAs are generally awarded in the arts, humanities and some of the social sciences, such as political science or sociology. MS degrees go to students of mathematics and the physical sciences, such as physics, engineering and geology. Some social sciences that may also have MS degree options, including economics and psychology.
Whether a school offers a MA or and MS for a given field often depends on the curriculum. For example, Portland State University offers both an MA and an MS in speech and hearing sciences. The only real difference between the two programs is that MA students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language.
Master of Fine Arts
MFAs are generally awarded to students in visual arts, theater arts, filmmaking or creative writing. Most MFA programs last about two years and culminate in some kind of artistic exhibit, film or substantial written work.
Master of Business Administration
Students interested in advanced studies in business management go for the MBA degree. The traditional, full-time version of the program lasts two academic years. There are also part-time programs for working professionals, with classes scheduled in the evening and on weekends.
The goal of MBA programs is to produce strong business managers who are familiar with the core functions of a company, such as product development, marketing and accounting. Graduates are also experts in different leadership styles and know motivate their workers and properly allocate resources in order to achieve the company's goals.
Master of Public Administration
Much like the MBA, MPA programs are concerned with efficient management, but this time in the public sector. As a professional degree, the MPA teaches students implement government policy and skills in project planning and nonprofit management. MPA graduates often go on to become city managers, think-tank researchers or nonprofit organization leaders.
Doctor of Medicine
This is the degree granted to medial doctors. Obtaining an MD routinely requires seven years of education, first as a medical student, then as an intern and finally as a resident. Upon earning the degree and obtaining a license, new doctors can safely practice medicine in their state.
Juris Doctor
A JD is the degree required to practice law. Law school typically lasts for three years. Undergraduates from any major may apply, though some schools have dedicated pre-law curricula. The classes are typically devoted to different areas of the law, such as criminal procedures, corporate law, environmental law and torts. There are also courses on specific aspects of legal practice ,including the rules of evidence and legal writing.
Doctor of Philosophy
A Ph.D. is generally the highest degree available in most academic disciplines, including mathematics, English and anthropology. Whereas professional degrees, such as the MPA, JD or MD, are meant to create working practitioners, a doctoral education trains students for careers as researchers. Most graduates go on to work as professors for universities. The culminating event for most Ph.D. programs is the dissertation, a lengthly research paper that contributes an original idea to the student's field of study.
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