1. Career and College Vocabulary Need To Know

2. Postsecondary Education 1. This is any education that a student pursues after high school. Post means after; Secondary education refers to high school. So postsecondary means after high school.

3. Types of Postsecondary Education This includes: trade schools, apprenticeships, certificate programs, associate degrees, bachelors degrees, masters degrees, and doctorate degrees.

4. Trade Schools, Certificates, and Apprenticeships Trade schools train students for the hands on jobs such as: Mechanic Electrician

5. Trade Schools, Certificates, and Apprenticeships Plumber Beautician or cosmetologist

6. Trade Schools, Certificates, and Apprenticeships Trade schools are specialty schools, like Lincoln Tech. You will take classes only in one career. The trade school will help you get start an apprenticeship, which means working with someone who is already licensed or certified to perform that trade. Length of time: anywhere from six months to two years. When completed, you will receive a certificate.

7. Degrees and Credits Different college degrees require different number of courses in order to complete it and receive a diploma. When students get an associates or bachelors degree, they will take courses in general education, in their major, electives, and possibly a minor. Colleges publish a catalog that will tell you which classes you have to take to complete the degree you want.

8. Degrees and Credits General education courses are ones that everyone has to complete. They usually include 2 writing course, 1 math course, and sometimes 1 social studies or 1 science course. Courses in your major include all the courses required in the field of study that you are interested in and that relate to your future career. For example, a future doctor may want to major in biology, while a future computer programmer will major in computer science. Most of your classes will be in your major.

9. Degrees and Credits A minor is a secondary area of study. Often someone picks a minor that compliments their major, giving them additional skills. For example, a theatre performance major might minor in dance. A biology major might minor in chemistry. To complete a minor, students need to complete usually about 5 semester classes in that area of study. Students do not have to complete a minor to earn a bachelors degree. Electives are course you take just for fun or to make yourself more well-rounded.

10. Degrees and Credits Credits: What is this? Each course you take in college will be given a credit value. Often times it is based on how many hours you spend in class. For example, a choral class that practices 2 hours per week, may only earn you one credit. There’s no homework. A writing class in which you spend 3 hours in class and another 6-9 hours a week doing homework will earn you 3 credits. A majority of classes are 3-credit classes.

11. Degrees and Credits A science class which includes a lab, requires 4 hours per week in class and 8 – 12 hours outside of class doing homework, will earn you 4 credits. All degrees are awarded when students have completed with a passing grade the required number of credits. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. If you don’t pass, you don’t get the credit. One last detail…most colleges offer classes on a semester schedule. Students take a set of classes in the fall, then a different set of classes in the spring. The average student takes 5 classes each semester which earns them about 15 credits.

12. Are you ready.. to learn about the different degrees ?

13. Associates Degree Associate programs are two year college programs. Students earn about 60 credits or take about 20 semester classes. These programs will prepare a student for many medium income jobs, such as technicians and assistants Go to this website to find out more: http://www.businessinsider.com/top-paying-jobs-for- people-with-an-associates-degree-2014-12 http://www.businessinsider.com/top-paying-jobs-for- people-with-an-associates-degree-2014-12

14. Associates Degrees Associates degrees are usually offered only through community colleges like Howard Community College. Students take classes in general education, as well as, in their field of interest. Length of time is usually two years, if you attend fulltime. When completed you will get an associates degree diploma.

15. Bachelors Degrees A bachelors degree is often referred to as a four- year degree because it is designed to be completed in four years. It might take longer if you go part-time or have to repeat a course. The degree is awarded when the student has completed all the courses required for their major. Usually, that’s about 120 credits or about 40 semester long courses.

16. Bachelors Degrees Many careers require a bachelors degree before you can get a job. For ideas check out this website: http://www.thebestschools.org/blog/2012/07/02/best- paying-careers-bachelors-degree/ http://www.thebestschools.org/blog/2012/07/02/best- paying-careers-bachelors-degree/ Note: You do not have to earn an associates degree before earning a bachelors degree.

17. Masters Degrees A masters degree is earned after completing a bachelors degree. It can require anywhere from 30 to 60 credits. All courses are in your major, often including an internship which gives you experience on the job and increases your chances at being hired. Can be completed anywhere from 1 year full-time to 5 years part-time.

18. Masters Degrees Many jobs require a masters degree. In some careers, you can get hired with a bachelors degree but you have to earn a masters degree within so many years to keep your position. This is true of teaching. In Howard County, a teacher has to earn their masters within 10 years of being hired. In some careers, you need a masters degree to get a promotion or a pay raise.

19. Doctorate Degrees A doctorate is earned after completing a bachelors and masters degree. It requires either a residency, such as a doctor, or a thesis/research paper. You can get a doctorate degree in any field, not just in medicine. It may take 2 – 6 years to complete. Some jobs require a doctorate such as a medical doctor, veterinarian, and a college professor. Getting a doctorate degree may help you get a promotion or a salary increase.

20. What if you don’t get a postsecondary education? There are some jobs that require only on-the- job training. These include cashier, sales clerks, bus drivers, waiters, fast food cooks, etc. Usually these jobs pay an hourly wage of $8 to $15 dollars per hour, whereas, those with postsecondary education usually make a salary based on a year’s worth of work, such as $40,000 – $95,000 per year.