Vocational
All You Need to Know about Vocational Degrees
What is a vocational degree, and how does it differ from a standard bachelor's degree? It’s an important question, as more high school graduates – and mature students – are choosing to follow the vocational degree study path than ever before.
There was a time when vocational degrees were limited to a few select subjects. Today, one can study for a vocational degree in many fields, hence the improved popularity. Should you study for a vocational degree, and how do you begin? Let’s talk about vocational degrees in more detail.
Benefits of a Vocational Degree
A standard bachelor's degree will cover a variety of subjects. This is to enable the student to get a grasp of English, for example, or mathematics. While it will major in one specific subject, that is only a part of the program.
A vocational degree takes you straight into the relevant profession. It will only cover other subjects in a minor fashion, if at all. This is the degree to take should you know your chosen profession and career path.
The wide range of markets that vocational degrees now cover is vast. Whereas once they applied only to select trades, now you can study to qualify as any of the following:
- Commercial pilot
- Website developer
- Personal trainer
- Plumber
- Electrician
- Paralegal
- Customer care
- Retail
- Dental hygienist
The list is far from comprehensive but should give you an idea of the available choice. How do you choose a vocational degree that is right for you?
Choosing a Vocational Degree
There are certain considerations when choosing a vocational degree study path. The first is that you should be committed to the profession you wish to follow. Next, you need to think about the following:
- Accreditation Not all vocational degrees are accredited by a recognized industry body, so you need to ensure that the one you choose is. You also need to think about whether to study to a certificate, diploma, or degree level.
- Personal attention Hands-on teaching needs a good deal of one-to-one attention. Ask about the ratio of this to classroom learning in advance.
- Length, of course, An associate's degree is a two-year course, while a diploma or certificate may be shorter. Ensure you have all the details before you commit.
A vocational degree is a sensible option if you are certain of the profession you wish to follow. They can even be studied if you want to join the police or fire services, and many other careers in addition to those we have listed above.
Conclusion
A vocational qualification may give you a head start in terms of gaining employment. Employers recognize that this type of degree gives you knowledge and skills in the chosen trade or profession in a comprehensive fashion.
With a vocational degree in your chosen trade to hand, you are ready to get in the role and get the job done straight away, so research the possibilities now and advance your career.
8 schools found
Bryan University
4255 S Nature Center Way, Springfield, MO 65804
Years
Private For-Profit
Bryan University has been providing focused, relevant career training programs to students since 1982, and we’re just as passionate and committed to our students’ success now as we were back then. Bryan was founded on an unwavering desire to improve the lives of our students. That’s why it’s a part of our Mission Statement:
Our mission is to improve the lives of our students, our team and our employers. We accomplish our mission by providing quality education in an environment that enables our team to thrive and our students to realize their potential, creating a positive impact within our communities.
More than 30 years later, these things remain at the core of our goals and mission as a career training school. We strive to improve the lives of our students, whether they have a family, are in the military, or are just looking for a fresh start in life.
Centura College
2697 Dean Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Years
Private For-Profit
Centura College, with campus locations in Virginia, and South Carolina, is dedicated to helping students gain the skills and attitudes necessary to succeed. Drawing from over 30 years of career school experience, we are committed to the education and personal enrichment of each student. Whether you are a recent high school graduate just starting out, planning to return to the workplace in a new career field, or a member of our Armed Forces preparing to enter the civilian workforce, Centura College can get you the training you need quickly. At Centura College, it's all about the training!
Dawn Career Institute
252 Chapman Rd, Newark, DE 19702
Years
Private For-Profit
Dawn Career Institute is a private post-secondary institution of higher education serving Delaware, south-central and south-eastern Pennsylvania, and northern Maryland. The institute offers both campus-based and online career-focused diploma programs, leading to professional certifications and licenses in a variety of healthcare, trades, and wellness fields. DCI was established in 1976 as Dawn Aeronautics. This full-service aviation center provided aircraft sales, maintenance, charters and international flight training. In 1993 the school changed its focus to the health and wellness fields, and the institute's name was changed to Dawn Training Institute, located in New Castle, DE. The first program was Health Insurance Claims Examiner, followed by Medical Billing/Health Claim Specialist and Therapeutic Massage Practitioner in 1997, and Medical Administrative Specialist in 1999.
Eastwick College
250 Moore St, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Years
Private For-Profit
Quick Facts About Eastwick:
- Four local campuses in Ramsey, Hackensack, Nutley and Paterson
- Program length starts at just 6 months
- Affordable tuition compared to many area colleges
- Up to $3000 in book grants when you enroll
- Externships and clinical rotations are included as part of your schedule
- Emphasis on hands-on training for in-demand skillsets
- Lifetime placement assistance for all graduates
Gwinnett Colleges & Institute
4230 US-29 Ste 11, Lilburn, GA 30047
Years
Private For-Profit
Are you ready to start a new vocational career in business, legal studies or healthcare at Gwinnett College? Because you are making the commitment to seek career-focused technical training and vocational education, we commit ourselves to providing you with exceptional customer service each step of the way. Gwinnett Colleges & Institute is committed to providing you with information on the college financial aid for which you may qualify in addition to the other career services we provide to our vocational college students. All of our school instructors possess education or career experience in the fields in which they teach which provides you with a quality learning experience. While we do not guarantee employment, we provide continuous career services assistance upon graduation from your vocational school program. Gwinnett Colleges & Institute is with you each step of the way!
Liberty University
1971 University Blvd Lynchburg, VA 24515
Years
Private Non-Profit
As an accredited Christian college with a 7,000-acre campus in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University offers you an education that is both academically challenging and rooted in a biblical worldview.
At Liberty, you’ll benefit from 35+ years of learning, growing, adapting, and innovating for the distance learner — and more than a decade of researching the needs of the online student. You can be confident that we’ve taken the time to learn what’s important to you.
Southern Careers Institute
1701 W Ben White Blvd. Suite 100 Austin, TX 78704
Years
Private For-Profit
With employer-tailored programs designed to make you the most marketable in your chosen industry, SCI is determined to help you find long-term success.
Our purpose is to close the talent skills gap by elevating human capital and empowering individuals in high-demand careers while adhering to the highest education and business standards.
Of all the ways we help our students build successful lives, SCI is most proud of making each individual student more marketable in their field.
Southern Careers Institute has developed a laser focus on making our students more marketable with customized and employer-tailored programs.
Southern Technical College
1485 Florida Mall Ave, Orlando, FL 32809
Years
Private For-Profit
Southern Technical College provides education and training in a variety of medical and technical areas that enable graduates to obtain entry-level employment. As a student at Southern Technical College, you will have the opportunity learn in several different ways. Choose from a variety of career training programs taught by industry professionals, flexible schedules to fit your needs and experience a class environment designed around different learning styles.
Southern Technical College is the right place for students who want quality career training in the growing fields of:
- Allied Health
- Business
- Information Technology
- Nursing
- Technical Trades
- Veterinary Assisting