How to Choose the Right Degree for Your Career Goals

If you’re considering going back to school as an adult, you probably have specific career goals in mind. Maybe you want to advance in your current role or move into another field altogether. Earning a degree can give you the credentials you need to make these goals a reality, but with so many program options, it can be difficult to know where to start.

This process doesn’t need to be intimidating. By assessing your situation and doing thorough research about available programs, you can take the next step in your education with confidence. Here’s some tips to keep in mind when deciding which degree is right for you.

Consider Your Personal Goals and Strengths

There are degrees out there for everyone, but how do you find the best fit for your career path? Here are a few things to consider when searching for a degree:

• Passion: What are you passionate about? What gets you excited and makes you want to learn? There is a lot of focus on learning what’s practical, but if you don’t choose a subject you’re interested in, you’ll set yourself up to fail. When browsing programs, put the most emphasis on ones you genuinely think sound interesting.
• Skillset: What are your talents? Do you have a proclivity for the sciences? Maybe you’re naturally good at teaching or have always been a gifted athlete. Skillset shouldn’t be the end all and be all of your search, especially since part of going back to school is developing new skills, but they can help give you a head start.
• Affordability: School is expensive, and the cost can be a big hurdle. While it shouldn’t get in the way of your decision, program cost should still be part of the equation. When researching programs, be sure to check out your financial assistance options.

What Degree Types Does Campbellsville University Offer?

Regardless of your prior level of education or career goals, Campbellsville University offers a degree type for you. Knowing what degree level best suits your needs will help you find the right program.

• Associate degree: The benefit of associate degrees is that they can be earned quickly. If you have earned a high school diploma and want to earn a credential for your next career move without committing to a full bachelor’s program, this may be the right option.
• Bachelor’s degree: A bachelor’s degree is the next credential beyond an associate degree and usually takes more time to complete. These programs also give a more thorough overview of a subject area and can lead to higher earning potential. Depending on your field of interest, some roles require a bachelor’s degree as a minimum educational requirement.
• Master’s degree: A master’s degree might be right for you if you’ve already earned your bachelor’s degree and want to further explore a subject area. Earning a master’s degree will make you a more qualified and competitive job candidate in fields that require higher levels of expertise.

Campbellsville also offers certificate programs which are great for quickly earning credentials to pursue specific careers. These programs are even faster than associate degrees and can give you focused training for roles where earning a full degree isn’t necessary.

Potential Degree Subject Areas

The fully online degrees at Campbellsville University cover a variety of practical subject areas. These include behavioral and social sciences, business, communications, computer science, criminal justice, health and sports, humanities, theology, nursing, social work and education. Below, you can find examples of some of the different programs.

Business

• B.S. in Business Administration: This program will give you a solid foundation in the principles of business administration and offers eight unique concentration areas: accounting, business information technology, cybersecurity and forensics, healthcare management, human resource management, management, marketing and supply chain management.
• Master of Business Administration: The MBA program will prepare you to take on leadership roles in the business world while building skills in communication and problem-solving. Concentration areas include accounting, human resource management, marketing, information technology, international business, healthcare management and church management.

Computer Science

• A.S. in Computer Science: The A.S. in Computer Science program will build important skills that are useful in IT positions and help you establish foundational knowledge in the field. You’ll study programming languages, cybersecurity principles and practices for managing information systems.
• M.S. in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence: With an M.S. in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, you’ll learn to implement AI and machine learning to solve complex issues. You’ll learn from instructors who have practical experience in the field of AI, and prepare for a fulfilling career in tech.

Education

• A.S. in Early Childhood Education: The A.S. in Early Childhood Education program will prepare you to work with children and inspire their love for learning. This program only takes two years to complete and will build your understanding of child development, teaching methodologies and other foundational topics in education.
• M.A. in Higher Education: The M.A. in Higher Education program will help prepare you for leadership roles in education. You’ll study topics like student development, issues in student affairs, diversity in higher education, faith and ethics on campus and more.

Health and Sports

• B.S. in Public Health: The B.S. in Public Health will build your foundational understanding of key public health principles and strategies in human health and prepare you to improve health outcomes for your community.
• M.A. in Sport Management: The M.A. in Sport Management program will teach you the fundamental business dynamics of the sports and entertainment industry, including marketing, finance, facility development, ethics and sports law. It offers unique concentration options in administration and marketing.

Begin Your Higher Education Journey

Knowing where to start when going back to school can be intimidating, but taking a moment to assess your interests, education level and career goals will help make finding an appropriate program easier. You can find the perfect online program at Campbellsville University Online and prepare for a more fulfilling career. Explore your options and apply today.