Postgraduate

Postgraduate education (also known as graduate education) involves learning and studying for academic degrees, academic or professional certificates, academic or professional diplomas, or other qualifications for which a first or bachelor's degree generally is required, and it is normally considered to be part of higher education. In North America, this level is generally referred to as graduate school.

The organization and structure of postgraduate education varies in different countries, as well as in different institutions within countries. This article outlines the basic types of courses and of teaching and examination methods, with some explanation of their history.

Types of postgraduate qualification

There are two main types of degrees studied for at the postgraduate level: academic and vocational degrees.

Academic degrees

The term degree in this context means the moving from one stage or level to another, and first appeared in the 13th century.

Master's degrees

These are sometimes placed in a further hierarchy, starting with degrees such as the Master of Arts (from Latin Magister artium; M.A.) and Master of Science (from Latin Magister scientiæ; M.Sc.) degrees, then the Master of Philosophy degree (from Latin Magister philosophiæ; M.Phil.), and finally the Master of Letters degree (from Latin Magister litterarum; M.Litt.) (all formerly known in France as DEA or DESS before 2005, and nowadays Masters too).

Doctorates

These are often further divided into academic and professional doctorates. An academic doctorate can be awarded as a Doctor of Philosophy degree (from Latin Doctor philosophiæ; Ph.D. or D.Phil.) or as a Doctor of Science degree (from Latin Doctor scientiæ; D.Sc.). The Doctor of Science degree can also be awarded in specific fields, such as a Doctor of Science in Mathematics degree (from Latin Doctor scientiarum mathematic arum; D.Sc.Math.), a Doctor of Agricultural Science degree (from Latin Doctor scientiarum agrariarum; D.Sc.Agr.), a Doctor of Business Administration degree (DBA), etc. In some parts of Europe, doctorates are divided into the Doctor of Philosophy degree or "junior doctorate", and the "higher doctorates" such as the Doctor of Science degree, which is generally awarded only for particularly insightful research or original contribution to the discipline.

Professional degrees

These are designed specifically for those looking to enter the professional career market and are becoming increasingly popular.

See also

• Graduate school
• Graduate university
• Graduate student
• Graduate diploma
• Postgraduate training
• Postgraduate diploma
• Postgraduate certificate
• Postgraduate research
• Postgraduate Year One
• Postgraduate Year Two

References

Postgraduate Resources
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