1. AA = Associate of Arts AS = Associate of Science  Generally 60 Credits – (2 years of full time college).  These degree’s are generally earned at a Junior, or Community College.  Once you have an Associates Degree - you can transfer to a 4-year college.

2. BA = Bachelor of Arts BS = Bachelor of Science  This is your basic College Degree (Bachelors Degree).  Generally 120 Credits – (4 years of full- time college).  Mr. Moloney has a BA in History.

3. MA = Master of Arts MS = Master of Science  These are Graduate Degrees (“Grad School”).  You need to first get a Bachelors Degree.  Generally 36 Credits (about 2 years of Graduate School).  Some require a lengthy paper of original research.  Mr. Moloney has an MAT (Master of Arts in Teaching). – can’t you tell?

4. MFA – Masters in Fine Arts MBA – Masters in Business Administration These are called ‘terminal’ degrees because you can’t really go any higher in these fields. These are called ‘terminal’ degrees because you can’t really go any higher in these fields. MFA is for artists, musicians, etc. MFA is for artists, musicians, etc. MBA is for Bankers, Wall Streeters, CEO’s, etc. MBA is for Bankers, Wall Streeters, CEO’s, etc.

5. ►JD = Law Degree. ►PHD = Doctorate Degree (But not an MD). ►MD = Medical Doctor. ►DDS = Dental Degree. (We have several PHD’s at ITHS; Turner, Moise, Cassela). ►They are considered Philosophers in their field.

6. GPA = Grade Point Average  4.0 = A  3.0 = B  2.0 = C  1.0 = D  0.0 = F  Many Graduate Programs require you to have a under-grad average of 2.5, or a 3.0 or better.  Most colleges use this 0 – 4 system.

7. Cum Laude = Latin Honors System  Cum Laude = “With Honor”.  Magna Cum Laude = “With Great Honor”.  Summa Cum Laude = “With Supreme Honor”.  These distinctions vary from college to college.  Generally it is:  3.5 for cum laude  3.75 for magna  3.9 for summa  And this is for your final 4-year GPA.

8. Difference Between College and University?  Basically a ‘College’ only grants Undergraduate degrees (BA, BS).  While a ‘University’ grants Undergraduate and Graduate degrees (BA’s. BS’s and Masters, PHD’s, etc.).  Generally you need a Masters Degree to get into a PHD program – but that is changing.