Is a minor the same as a degree?

A minor is not a degree. It's a concentration that you get in addition to your primary field of study, known as your major.

Some students select a major that's completely different than their major (ie: Computer Science major, Film minor). Whether you want to study a passion, or get a feel for another area of study, a minor can be a great way to test out a different path while giving yourself marketable skills.

A major is the primary focus of the student, whereas a minor is a secondary focus. A minor is often used to pursue personal interests or display extra qualities and skills to future employers. Many students continue studying their minor after completing their major. In this way, they obtain two degrees.

A minor, in contrast, indicates an interest with a lesser degree of mastery. As alluded to above, a well-chosen minor can indicate useful diversity in your educational background.

Pursuing a minor allows you to enhance your major studies and develop a side passion. It gives you an edge intellectually by introducing you to new ideas and, depending on what you choose, it can give you a professional edge, too. That extra line on your resume shows potential employers a few things.

Some employers care about minors, while others don't. The value of minors during job applications depends on the industry and the opinion of hiring managers. Employers who care about minors prefer applicants whose minors are related to their majors and/or the job positions they are applying for.

The Takeaway: If you're truly interested in another area of study, and want to immerse yourself completely in it, double majoring might be the right path. If you're just curious about it or want to try something new, minoring is probably best.

A good college minor is something related to the focus of a student's degree program. While complementary, it should not be exactly the same as one's major as it's not allowed and useless, too. In many instances, a good college minor is related not to a major but a student's passion or interest.

You might consider taking a minor when you're interested in a specific subject but don't want to make it your major area of focus or when you want to complement your major. While a minor can provide a number of benefits, it's also worth considering the potential downsides before you make your ultimate decision.

Double-minoring allows you to explore two areas that interest you personally or that you think you may want to specialize in during graduate school. Since most graduate school students pick a specialty, a double-minor will help you on your way to choosing that specialty.

Remember that minors are optional. A minor can be a nice addition to a medical school application, but it is unlikely to make or break an acceptance. Before committing to a minor, decide whether you have time in your schedule to complete the involved coursework.

Whether you visit a gym, classroom or a local government agency, you are likely to encounter employees with two-year college degrees. These degrees, formally titled "associate degrees," are offered by two-year community colleges across the United States. The degree is the first of several degrees of higher education.

bachelor's degree

Designed to be completed in 4 years, bachelor's degree programs provide in-depth knowledge and skills across a wide variety of career paths to help you stand out in today's competitive job market. Bachelor's degrees are in high demand.

A doctorate degree typically takes anywhere from four to six years to complete. On average, a Ph. D. is earned within eight years. The length of time it takes to earn your doctorate is based on numerous factors.

A six-year degree is also known as a double or dual degree. It is a type of degree that takes twice as long to complete as a traditional undergraduate degree. A six-year degree typically includes two years of study at a community college and four years at a university.

In the US, associate's degrees are available at various types of college, including community colleges, junior colleges and technical colleges, affiliated colleges of universities and university institutes. It typically takes two years full-time to complete an associate's degree.