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Awards scholarships of $500 or $1500 per year to students achieving academic excellence while in high school..
Receive $500 or $1,500 per year
For high-achieving students graduating from a NYS high school and attending college full-time in NYS
Students are nominated by high schools
Must be a legal NYS resident for 12 continuous months prior to enrolling or qualified under NYS-DREAM Act
No signup id provided. please contact us for information on deadline information., $500 or $1,500.
Amount determined by:
Must complete the FAFSA and TAP application or Dream Act application each year for payment.
2 years for students pursuing their associate degree full-time.
4 years for students pursuing their bachelor’s degree full-time.
5 years for approved five-year degree programs.
Any award payment received may have tax implications. Please direct any questions to a tax professional, the Internal Revenue Service, or the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance.
Undocumented and other immigrant students: before submitting your application material, apply for eligibility under the NYS DREAM Act .
To receive the Scholarship, you must meet the following residency requirements:
Not a citizen or eligible noncitizen? Learn more about the NYS DREAM Act application .
High School, GED, or Ability to Benefit
College & Program
Once in college, you must meet the following requirements:
Be matriculated in an approved program of study a public or private college in NYS.
Be in good academic standing.
Be enrolled full-time.
There are no income limits for this Scholarship.
Have questions .
Schedule a Call HESC is here to answer your questions or help you with a specific issue.
Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Request an Appointment
New York State Higher Education
Services Corporation
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12255
© Higher Education Services Corporation
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Written by Michael Feder
Reviewed by Marc Booker , PhD, Vice Provost, Strategy
If you’ve decided to return to school, you might be wondering about the difference between bachelor’s and associate degrees. Different types of degrees fulfill varying educational needs, and what’s good for one person may not make sense for another.
Let’s explore associate degree vs. bachelor’s degree programs, including how online options for both can help you progress toward your career goals without disrupting your work and home life.
Getting your associate degree before a bachelor’s degree isn’t a requirement. Many individuals choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree directly after high school or whenever they decide to pursue higher education. Since bachelor’s degree programs typically include the foundational coursework found in an associate degree, there’s sometimes a sense that one leads to the other.
However, there are a few reasons why one may choose to pursue an associate degree. For example, certain types of associate degrees are vocational and more tied to a specific trade outcome. This can teach you skills to enter your desired career.
Some bachelor’s degree programs enable you to transfer credits earned in your associate degree toward your four-year degree. This can potentially help reduce the overall cost of obtaining a bachelor’s degree if finances are a concern.
Bachelor’s and associate degrees are both options that prepare students with specific knowledge and skills in their chosen field but can offer different benefits too. Below are the major differences between bachelor’s and associate programs.
Associate and bachelor’s degree programs have different time requirements. Associate degree programs typically take about two years of full-time study to complete compared with four years of full-time study for a bachelor’s. While bachelor’s degree programs involve a more extensive time commitment, they also typically offer a more comprehensive education.
An associate degree program may be a better fit if you need to enter the workforce or earn credentials quickly.
Associate degree programs typically cost less than bachelor’s programs because associate degrees generally require 60 credits while bachelor’s degrees require 120.
One of the biggest differences between bachelor’s and associate degrees is the depth of study. While some associate degree programs, such as criminal justice, information technology and cybersecurity might provide specialized training, other associate degrees offer a more generalized education that provides foundational knowledge across various subjects. This broad approach can benefit students who want to gain essential skills and explore different fields of interest.
Bachelor’s degrees allow students to focus more on specialization and comprehensive expertise in their chosen field. This in-depth study equips graduates with more comprehensive skills and a thorough understanding of the subject matter.
Associate and bachelor’s degrees can provide an educational and professional advantage, especially compared with high school diplomas or their equivalents. However, career opportunities can vary significantly between associate degrees vs. bachelor’s degrees.
It is possible to begin a career with an associate degree . Some industries in which this is the case include business, information technology, cybersecurity and criminal justice. That means those who want quicker entry into the workforce may like the idea of earning an associate degree.
On the other hand, bachelor’s degrees typically can offer more career opportunities because of the well-rounded education they offer. Graduates with bachelor’s degrees are often eligible for higher-level positions, management roles and specialized fields requiring in-depth knowledge and skills that are earned in a four-year program.
Ultimately, while both degrees can lead to fulfilling careers, bachelor’s degrees generally provide a broader range of opportunities and long-term benefits.
One benefit of an associate degree program is that you can often transfer those credits to a bachelor’s degree program, but it’s not as cut and dry as you might expect.
Several factors can influence the transfer process. Ensure the associate degree you earn is from a properly accredited institution. Most bachelor’s programs require this for credit transfers. You’ll also need to ensure those completed courses are relevant to the bachelor’s program you want to pursue. Credits are more likely to transfer if they closely align with the bachelor’s degree curriculum.
Some community colleges and universities have articulation agreements with four-year institutions that define which credits are transferable and how they apply to specific programs. Additionally, schools often have a cap on the number of credits you can transfer and minimum grade requirements.
Transferring associate degree credits to online bachelor’s degree programs is one way to reduce the time it takes to earn that degree. If you have questions about the process, speak with academic advisors at your current and prospective schools to ensure you handle everything correctly. Transferability of credit is at the discretion of the accepting institution. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm whether credits will transfer to their institution of choice.
Graduate studies require a bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite. Some graduate programs may also request specific test scores and other requirements. An associate degree may be a steppingstone toward a bachelor’s program, but it won’t satisfy graduate program requirements.
While associate degrees provide foundational educational experiences, a graduate program requires a deeper understanding and expertise of the field you plan to study. Developing this knowledge is made possible as part of a bachelor’s program.
Although it’s possible to find a graduate program that does not require an essay or test scores for admissions, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution is a must.
Which educational path makes the most sense for you? It largely depends on your educational and career priorities, preferred timeline and financial situation. When you look at the difference between bachelor’s and associate degrees, you’ll see that both programs can prepare you for career opportunities. Which you pursue is ultimately based on your situation and preferences.
One of the best ways to make this decision is to speak with current professionals, academic advisors or career counselors with experience in your preferred field. They can help point you in the right direction of the program or programs you might pursue and answer questions about potential outcomes.
UOPX offers both online associate and bachelor’s degree programs . To learn more about University of Phoenix degree programs and transfer credit opportunities , request more information today .
A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at University of Phoenix where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.
Dr. Marc Booker, University of Phoenix Vice Provost for Strategy, has more than two decades of experience working with online and distance education students at the post-secondary level. He currently oversees critical path academic initiatives to improve the student experience. Dr. Booker is a regular speaker, author and contributor to national higher education associations.
This article has been vetted by University of Phoenix's editorial advisory committee. Read more about our editorial process.
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List the faculty and staff who will be closely associated with the program. There should be at minimum five (5) tenure track faculty or teaching professors affiliated with the new program. This can include (but not limited to):
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The two most common types of graduate degrees are master's and doctoral degrees: A master's is a 1-2 year degree that can prepare you for a multitude of careers. A PhD, or doctoral degree, takes 3-7 years to complete (depending on the country) and prepares you for a career in academic research.
In some cases, students may be awarded a stipend, or pay, to complete the doctoral program and dissertation. Ph.D.'s take a considerably longer time to complete than a master's, five to eight years on average, and they carry a rather high rate of noncompletion due to time and financial commitments.
Deciding between a master's vs PhD involves considering many variables. Both types of graduate degrees offer career advancement, but you must decide your reasons for obtaining either.
Masters vs PhD Degree - Which Is Right for You? Thinking about continuing your education after earning an undergraduate degree? Then you might wonder what the differences are between a Masters vs PhD. As many reasons as people have to pursue a graduate degree, there are just as many degrees available to you.
A Masters degree is the next level of education after the completion of an undergraduate degree, commonly known as a Bachelors. These degree levels are often referred to in terms of cycles so that a Bachelor's is a first-cycle degree, a Masters is a second-cycle and finally, a PhD is the third-cycle of higher education (and the highest).
Compare PhD vs. master's degrees by discuss their benefits, and explore answers to several frequently asked questions you may have about both graduate degrees.
Masters vs PhD can be a tricky choice. Let's compare them from several angles to help you decide which is best suited for you.
The main difference between a Masters and a PhD is the purpose of each degree. A Masters degree involves expanding your understanding of existing scholarship in a particular subject area. The purpose of PhD study, on the other hand, is to make an original contribution to your field.
Considering graduate school? We've compared Master's vs. Doctorate degrees to help you take the first step in your journey.
In some cases, a master's degree may hold advantages over a doctoral degree. For example, a master's degree in social work (MSW) may be more cost-effective than a doctoral degree, given the time and funds required to earn the degree and the pay differential. The admission offices at the schools you're applying to can often help you determine ...
A Ph.D. and a master's degree are both types of graduate degrees. Both are postsecondary achievements that traditionally follow the completion of a bachelor's degree. Understanding the differences and similarities between the two is important when evaluating your career options. In this article, we discuss the definition of a Ph.D. and a master's degree and evaluate the similarities and ...
Generally, individuals with a PhD tend to earn higher salaries than those with just a Master's degree. The advanced knowledge, specialized skills, and research experience gained during a PhD program make individuals more valuable in the job market, leading to better job prospects and higher earning potential.
After earning a master's degree, the next step is a PhD or doctorate. Learn the differences between these degrees and what students need to know to succeed.
Both graduate degree options offer a narrower educational focus than the undergraduate experience. The higher the degree, the longer it takes to earn and the more specialized is its focus. Today, we're taking a closer look at master's and doctorate degrees to highlight differences and help you determine which might be most useful to you in your social-impact career.
The demand for both master's and doctorate degrees is high. But how do you know which level of educational attainment is right for you? Does your industry or career aspirations necessitate one degree or another? Will you personally benefit more from a master's or doctorate?
An M.D. and a Ph.D. are both doctorate degrees that individuals who complete the highest level of graduate school can receive. However, people who have an M.D. have different careers than those with a Ph.D. designation. Understanding the difference between these two degrees can help you decide which one suits your academic and professional goals. In this article, we discuss what an M.D. is ...
How much time do you have to pursue a graduate degree? Master's degrees typically take two years to complete, while Ph.D. programs generally take five to seven years ( see Duke programs' time-to-degree ). That is a significant difference in commitment and opportunity costs. It might also play a key role in deciding which factors take higher ...
If all you want is a raise, a PhD is probably not the road to choose. A master's degree will boost your career possibilities enough for the kind of raise you want. If you love learning in and of itself, then the work required for a PhD may be worthwhile. Master's degrees tend to be more career oriented while PhD's tend to be more research ...
A doctorate is usually the most advanced degree someone can get in an academic discipline, higher education experts say.
Review the differences between a PhD vs master's degree, explore the definitions of each type of degree and review the benefits of both types of degrees.
The four types of degrees are associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Each college degree level equips you with skills for a successful career.
There are actually a number of degrees which require a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree or are considered higher in qualification than a PhD. But this all depends on the country's system you are looking at. While there are degrees which require a PhD for admittance, this is not the case in all countries. For the US, a PhD is regarded as the ...
A master's degree in public health equips professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to tackle some of the most pressing health issues facing communities today. It provides a comprehensive understanding of public health principles, from epidemiology and biostatistics to health policy and environmental health, ensuring graduates are ...
The computer science subject table uses the same trusted and rigorous performance indicators as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024, but the methodology has been recalibrated to suit the discipline. This year's table includes 1,027 universities, up from 974 last year. View the World University Rankings 2024 by subject: computer science methodology The
A Master's degree is a graduate-level program that provides specialized education in a specific field. Unlike an MBA , which has a broad business focus, a Master's degree allows students to ...
For PhD candidates, applicants must hold a master's degree from a recognized university, possess a strong academic background, provide supporting statements from two referees, and submit a ...
On the one hand, an array of new programs and initiatives enacted by the Biden administration has led to very real, tangible relief for millions, including lower payments and student loan forgiveness.
High School, GED, or Ability to Benefit. Graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma (GED), or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test.; Students are nominated by schools.
An associate degree may be a steppingstone toward a bachelor's program, but it won't satisfy graduate program requirements. While associate degrees provide foundational educational experiences, a graduate program requires a deeper understanding and expertise of the field you plan to study.
Select the Graduate Research Scholars Community for this program. List the core program faculty and staff with title and departmental affiliation(s) who are primarily involved and will participate in the delivery and oversight. List the faculty and staff who will be closely associated with the program.