Academic credentials

Institutions of learning issue academic credentials to individuals who complete a course of study.

Different kinds of institurions issue different kinds of credentials.

type of institution	certificate	years to complete	notes
High school	High school diploma	4	A high school diploma is almost always required to enter Community College or University
Community College	certificate	1-3	A high school diploma is almost always required to enter Community College Some community college courses can be counted towards a Bachelor's degree
University	Bachelor's degree	3-4	A high school diploma is almost always required to enter University
University	Master's degree	1-3	Master's students typically work one-on-one with a thesis supervisor Master's students almost always complete a 4 year Bachelor's degree prior to entering Grad School
University	PhD	1-7	Master's students typically work one-on-one with a [[thesis supervisor]. Master's students almost always complete a 4 year Bachelor's degree prior to entering Grad School, and most PhD students complete a Master's degree as well. It's unusual for a PhD student to complete their PhD at the same instution that granted their Bachelor's degree University Professors almost always earn a PhD before they are hired as a Professor
University	Juris Doctor		A Juris Doctor is a law degree, in spite of the name it is an undergraduate degree, a kind of Bachelor's degree