by You may have noticed on certain career pages our new MyMajors Grad Cap based on the Education Requirement Classification System. These averages are compiled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Each Grad Cap represents the Education Level that one must obtain, on average, to enter that career field. The listing below breaks down the description of each cap and the education required:
5 Grad Caps:
Doctoral or professional degree. Completion of a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) usually requires at least 3 years of full-time academic work beyond a bachelor’s degree. Completion of a professional degree usually requires at least 3 years of full- time academic study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Examples of occupations for which a professional degree is the typical form of entry-level education include lawyers, physicians and surgeons, and dentists.
4 Grad Caps:
Master’s degree. Completion of this degree usually requires 1 or 2 years of full-time academic study beyond a bachelor’s degree. Examples of occupations in this category include statisticians, physician assistants, and educational, vocational, and school counselors.
3 Grad Caps:
Bachelor’s degree. Completion of this degree generally requires at least 4 years, but not more than 5 years, of full-time academic study beyond high school. Examples of occupations in this category include budget analysts, dietitians, and civil engineers.
2 Grad Caps:
Associate’s degree. Completion of this degree usually requires at least 2 years but not more than 4 years of full-time academic study beyond high school. Examples of occupations in this category include mechanical drafters, respiratory therapists, and dental hygienists.
Postsecondary non-degree award. These programs lead to a certificate or other award, but not a degree. The certificate is awarded by the educational institution and is the result of completing formal post-secondary schooling. Certification, which is issued by a professional organization or certifying body, is not included here. Some post-secondary nondegree award programs last only a few weeks, while others may last 1 to 2 years. Examples of occupations in this category include nursing aides, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, and hairstylists.
1 Grad Cap:
Some college, no degree. This category signifies the achievement of a high school diploma or equivalent plus the completion of one or more post-secondary courses that did not result in a degree or award. Examples of occupations in this category are actors and computer support specialists.
High school diploma or equivalent. This category signifies the completion of high school or an equivalent program resulting in the award of a high school diploma or an equivalent, such as the General Educational Development (GED) credential. Examples of occupations in this category include social and human service assistants and pharmacy technicians.
0 Grad Caps:
Less than high school. This category signifies the completion of any level of primary or secondary education that did not result in the award of a high school diploma or equivalent. Examples of occupations in this category include janitors and cleaners, cashiers, and carpet installers.
