The level of education you obtain will greatly determine what type of job you will qualify for as well as how much money you may make in your lifetime. For example, many employers require applicants to have at least a bachelor's degree when only three decades ago you could get away with just a high school diploma. A person who has a bachelor's degree certificate will earn 1.8 times more in their lifetime than someone who only has their high school diploma.
But high school isn't the only place where you can earn a diploma. There are many secondary schools that award this education credential for certain types of coursework. Knowing the difference between a bachelor's degree and a diploma is important to the completion of your goals. Here is a basic rundown of the two degree types.
A bachelor's degree is awarded after you complete four years of coursework in a particular field of study. A diploma is usually given after the completion of a specific class or short term (usually under one year) course of study. The bachelor's degree is designed to give the student a comprehensive education in their subject of interest while a diploma class (or coursework) is designed to impart specific skills or the fundamentals of the topic.
The most common places where you would obtain a diploma for completed work, instead of a bachelor's degree, are at vocational schools, high school, trade schools, and community colleges. The types of studies that award diplomas are vocational and professional courses. An example of this is a Nursing Diploma which is sometimes awarded by hospital based nursing schools.
On the other hand, you will most likely obtain a bachelor's degree from a four year college or university. It is awarded when you have completed the necessary number of credits and coursework required for a particular area of study. An example of this would be the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a degree usually obtained by people looking to work in various management careers.
You can directly enter the workforce with either a diploma or a bachelor's degree. However, if you want to obtain an advanced degree, such as a master's, you must have a bachelor's degree. If you only have a diploma, your application for entry into a master's program will be rejected and you are likely to be encouraged to obtain a bachelor's degree in the field.
As previously stated, a bachelor's degree is more valued in the employment marketplace. However, there are times when having a diploma is to your advantage. If you have already completed an undergraduate program but need continued training in your field, then completing a diploma program is a good way to supplement your education. You can get the specialized knowledge you need without having to go back to school for another four years.
Otherwise, if you have to choose between getting a diploma and completing a bachelor's degree, you should opt for the bachelor's degree. It will be easier to get into the career of your choice and you'll make more money over the long term.
