Colleges and universities provide for-credit courses, degrees, or certificate programs in engineering, science, technology, management or other specialized subject areas. They offer associates', bachelors', masters' and/or doctoral degrees. Associate of Arts (A.A.), Associate of Science (A.S.), and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees are awarded by community colleges, junior colleges and some bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon the completion of a course of study equivalent to the first two years in a four-year institution.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees are the basic undergraduate degrees offered by four-year colleges and universities, depending on the required course of study. B.A. degrees require significant coursework in subjects such as languages, literature, and music. B.S. degrees require concentration in mathematics, engineering, technology, or science. Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.A.) degrees require the successful completion of a program of study of at least one, but not more than two, credit-based academic years of work beyond the bachelor's degree.