Because postsecondary institutions in the United States are not regulated or managed by the federal government, their philosophy, policies, and practices vary considerably. The undergraduate bachelor's degree typically takes four years to complete. At most institutions the four years are known as the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years of undergraduate study. Many students complete their first two years at a junior or community college, earning an associate degree, and then transfer9 to a four-year college or university to complete two more years for a bachelor's degree. During the first two years, students have the opportunity to explore various fields of study such as social sciences, humanities, and natural or physical sciences.
Students then spend the remaining two years taking more courses directly related to their major.
Students who major in certain fields such as business, engineering, or science find that the curriculum is more tightly structured than it is in the humanities or social sciences. Graduate Education Graduate education can result in a variety of degrees. Master's degrees are the most frequently awarded graduate degrees, usually obtainable after one or two years of graduate-level study. A doctorate usually takes five to seven years to complete. Unlike undergraduates, graduate students begin specialized study on the first day of classes.