
University Career Pathways
There are 3 different degrees that you can achieve through a university pathway: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, and PhD.
Bachelor's Degree
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Undergraduate degree lasting 3 to 4 years and the typical college/university pathway after high school
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First step towards graduate studies (masters and doctoral degrees) or professional degrees (medical school or law school)
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Participate in lectures, labs, research, discussion groups, field trips, and co-op and work study programs to earn pay while you study
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Can choose your schedule and when you want to have classes (ex. In the mornings, at night)
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Canadian Bachelor’s degrees are globally recognized and equivalent to undergraduate programs in other countries
PICTURE (FLOW CHART) WITH THE DIFFERENT BACHELOR DEGREES
Master's Degree


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1 to 3 years of full-time study
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Usually requires a Bachelor’s degree as a prerequisite
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Students attend lectures, complete assignments, visit research sites, and often travel to different parts of the world for training
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Must complete a heavily weighted dissertation/thesis which is an academic paper that summarizes all the research you conducted during your Masters
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Benefits
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Expand your knowledge in a field you enjoy
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Improves your standing in a competitive field
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Ideal for students who are unsure what they want to do after undergraduate studies
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Receive higher salaries than those with only a Bachelor’s degree
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
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3 to 7 years of full-time study with guidance from a PhD advisor
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For students who are passionate about continuously gaining knowledge and wish to discover something new in their field
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First two years consists of a small portion of coursework and a qualifying exam
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Rest of study is for collecting and analyzing data from research and writing your dissertation
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Chance to mentor undergraduate students
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Complete a dissertation (50 to 300 pages) and defend it (give a presentation) to a large examination panel
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Once completed, students are formally known as “Doctor”
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PhDs are recognized internationally and put you at the top of your field
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Applications for a PhD involve personal statements, academic references, and a PhD research proposal (includes major research that is relevant to your thesis/dissertation, research methodology, and resources you will need)

