Degree vs. Major: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A degree is an academic qualification awarded by a college or university, whereas a major is a specific field of study chosen within a degree program.
Key Differences
A degree is a certification granted by an educational institution, signifying the completion of a particular course of study. A major, however, is the primary focus or specialization within a degree program, representing a student's main area of academic interest.
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Degrees are categorized by levels, such as bachelor's, master's, or doctoral, indicating the scope and depth of education. Majors are specific disciplines like biology, history, or engineering, chosen by students within their degree programs.
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Earning a degree typically requires a combination of core, elective, and major-specific courses, culminating in a recognized academic credential. Choosing a major involves selecting a specific subject to concentrate on, which shapes the student's academic journey and expertise.
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Degrees are often prerequisites for professional fields or advanced study and are recognized universally as academic achievements. Majors define the specific skills and knowledge base a student acquires, guiding their future career path or further studies.
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The degree signifies the completion of a broad course of study, encompassing general and specialized education. The major, conversely, reflects a student's focused study in a particular academic discipline, often dictating the direction of their career or research.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
An academic qualification from a college or university
A specific field of study chosen within a degree program
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Scope
General education and degree level (e.g., Bachelor's, Master's)
Specific discipline or field of study (e.g., Psychology, Physics)
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Purpose
To provide a comprehensive education and credential
To specialize in a particular academic area
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Outcome
Academic degree (e.g., BA, BS, MA)
Specialized knowledge and skills in a field
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Role in Education
Represents the completion of a broad course of study
Dictates the specific courses and focus within the degree program
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Degree and Major Definitions
Degree
A level or stage in a scale of rank or progress.
His work showed a high degree of skill.
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Major
The primary field of study in a college or university program.
Her major is in biochemistry.
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Degree
A specific level of academic achievement.
He's pursuing a Master's degree in Engineering.
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Major
Being large, important, or prominent in size or scope.
The project encountered major delays.
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Degree
One of a series of steps in a process, course, or progression; a stage
Proceeded to the next degree of difficulty.
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Degree
A step in a direct hereditary line of descent or ascent
First cousins are two degrees from their common ancestor.
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Degree
Relative intensity or amount, as of a quality or attribute
A high degree of accuracy.
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Degree
The extent or measure of a state of being, an action, or a relation
Modernized their facilities to a large degree.
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Major
Of or relating to the field of academic study in which a student specializes.
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Degree
(Mathematics) A planar unit of angular measure equal in magnitude to 1/360 of a complete revolution.
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Major
Designating a scale or mode having half steps between the third and fourth and the seventh and eighth degrees.
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Major
Equivalent to the distance between the tonic note and the second or third or sixth or seventh degrees of a major scale or mode
A major interval.
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Degree
The greatest sum of the exponents of the variables in a term of a polynomial or polynomial equation.
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Degree
The exponent of the derivative of highest order in a differential equation in standard form.
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Major
A commissioned rank in the US Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps that is above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
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Degree
An academic title given by a college or university to a student who has completed a course of study
Received the Bachelor of Arts degree at commencement.
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Major
One who holds this rank or a similar rank in another military organization.
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Major
One that is superior in rank, importance, or ability
An oil-producing country considered as one of the majors.
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Degree
(Law) A division or classification of a specific crime according to its seriousness
Murder in the second degree.
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Major
(Law) One recognized by the law as having reached the age of adulthood.
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Degree
A classification of the severity of an injury, especially a burn
A third-degree burn.
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Degree
(Grammar) One of the forms used in the comparison of adjectives and adverbs. For example, tall is the positive degree, taller the comparative degree, and tallest the superlative degree of the adjective tall.
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Degree
A stage of proficiency or qualification in a course of study, now especially an award bestowed by a university or, in some countries, a college, as a certification of academic achievement. (In the United States, can include secondary schools.)
She has two bachelor's degrees and is studying towards a master's degree.
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Degree
(geometry) A unit of measurement of angle equal to 360 of a circle's circumference.
A right angle is a ninety-degree angle.
Most humans have a field of vision of almost 180 degrees.
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Major
A chord containing a major third between the first and second notes and a minor third between the second and third notes.
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Degree
(physics) A unit of measurement of temperature on any of several scales, such as Celsius or Fahrenheit.
180 degrees Fahrenheit is equivalent to 100 degrees Celsius.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
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Degree
(algebra) The sum of the exponents of a term; the order of a polynomial.
A quadratic polynomial is a polynomial of degree 2.
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Degree
The dimensionality of a field extension.
The set of complex numbers constitutes a field extension of degree 2 over the real numbers.
The Galois field has degree 3 over its subfield
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Degree
(graph theory) The number of edges that a vertex takes part in; a valency.
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Major
Greater in number, quantity, or extent.
The major part of the assembly
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Degree
(surveying) The curvature of a circular arc, expressed as the angle subtended by a fixed length of arc or chord.
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Degree
(geography) A unit of measurement of latitude and longitude which together identify a location on the Earth's surface.
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Major
Prominent or significant in size, amount, or degree.
To earn some major cash
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Degree
(grammar) Any of the three stages (positive, comparative, superlative) in the comparison of an adjective or an adverb.
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Major
(medicine) Involving great risk, serious, life-threatening.
To suffer from a major illness
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Major
(education) Of or relating to a subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization.
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Major
Having intervals of a semitone between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth degrees.
Major scale
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Major
Equivalent to that between the tonic and another note of a major scale, and greater by a semitone than the corresponding minor interval.
Major third
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Degree
The amount that an entity possesses a certain property; relative intensity, extent.
To what degree do the two accounts of the accident concur?
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Major
(postpositive) of a key Based on a major scale, tending to produce a bright or joyful effect.
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Degree
One of a series of progressive steps upward or downward, in quality, rank, acquirement, and the like; a stage in progression; grade; gradation; as, degrees of vice and virtue; to advance by slow degrees; degree of comparison.
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Major
Indicating the elder of two brothers, appended to a surname in public schools.
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Degree
The point or step of progression to which a person has arrived; rank or station in life; position.
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Degree
Measure of advancement; quality; extent; as, tastes differ in kind as well as in degree.
The degree of excellence which proclaims genius, is different in different times and different places.
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Major
Occurring as the predicate in the conclusion of a categorical syllogism.
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Degree
Grade or rank to which scholars are admitted by a college or university, in recognition of their attainments; also, (informal) the diploma provided by an educational institution attesting to the achievement of that rank; as, the degree of bachelor of arts, master, doctor, etc.; to hang one's degrees on the office wall.
The youth attained his bachelor's degree, and left the university.
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Degree
A certain distance or remove in the line of descent, determining the proximity of blood; one remove in the chain of relationship; as, a relation in the third or fourth degree.
In the 11th century an opinion began to gain ground in Italy, that third cousins might marry, being in the seventh degree according to the civil law.
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Major
(military ranks) A rank of officer in the army and the US air force, between captain and lieutenant colonel.
He used to be a major in the army.
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Degree
Three figures taken together in numeration; thus, 140 is one degree, 222,140 two degrees.
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Major
An officer in charge of a section of band instruments, used with a modifier.
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Degree
State as indicated by sum of exponents; more particularly, the degree of a term is indicated by the sum of the exponents of its literal factors; thus, a2b3c is a term of the sixth degree. The degree of a power, or radical, is denoted by its index, that of an equation by the greatest sum of the exponents of the unknown quantities in any term; thus, ax4 + bx2 = c, and mx2y2 + nyx = p, are both equations of the fourth degree.
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Degree
A 360th part of the circumference of a circle, which part is taken as the principal unit of measure for arcs and angles. The degree is divided into 60 minutes and the minute into 60 seconds.
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Degree
A division, space, or interval, marked on a mathematical or other instrument, as on a thermometer.
It has been said that Scotsmen . . . are . . . grave to a degree on occasions when races more favored by nature are gladsome to excess.
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Degree
A position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality;
A moderate degree of intelligence
A high level of care is required
It is all a matter of degree
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Degree
A specific identifiable position in a continuum or series or especially in a process;
A remarkable degree of frankness
At what stage are the social sciences?
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Degree
An award conferred by a college or university signifying that the recipient has satisfactorily completed a course of study;
He earned his degree at Princeton summa cum laude
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Degree
A unit of temperature on a specified scale;
The game was played in spite of the 40-degree temperature
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Major
A large, commercially successful company, especially a record label that is bigger than an indie.
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Major
The principal subject or course of a student working toward a degree at a college or university.
Midway through his second year of college, he still hadn't chosen a major.
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Major
A student at a college or university specializing on a given area of study.
She is a math major.
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Degree
The seriousness of something (e.g., a burn or crime);
Murder in the second degree
A second degree burn
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Degree
An academic award conferred by a college or university.
She received her Bachelor's degree in 2022.
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Degree
A unit of measurement in various fields like temperature or geometry.
The water was heated to 100 degrees Celsius.
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Degree
A rank or grade of official, membership, or proficiency.
She holds a black belt, third-degree in karate.
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Major
(entomology) A large leaf-cutter ant that acts as a soldier, defending the nest.
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Major
Greater in number, quantity, or extent; as, the major part of the assembly; the major part of the revenue; the major part of the territory.
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Major
Greater by a semitone, either in interval or in difference of pitch from another tone.
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Major
An officer next in rank above a captain and next below a lieutenant colonel; the lowest field officer.
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Major
That premise which contains the major term. It its the first proposition of a regular syllogism; as: No unholy person is qualified for happiness in heaven [the major]. Every man in his natural state is unholy [minor]. Therefore, no man in his natural state is qualified for happiness in heaven [conclusion or inference].
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Major
A commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines; below lieutenant colonel and above captain
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Major
British statesman who was prime minister from 1990 until 1997 (born in 1943)
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Major
A university student who is studying a particular field as the principal subject;
She is a linguistics major
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Major
The principal field of study of a student at a university;
Her major is linguistics
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Major
Have as one's principal field of study;
She is majoring in linguistics
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Major
Of greater importance or stature or rank;
A major artist
A major role
Major highways
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Major
Greater in scope or effect;
A major contribution
A major improvement
A major break with tradition
A major misunderstanding
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Major
Greater in number or size or amount;
A major portion (a majority) of the population
Ursa Major
A major portion of the winnings
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Major
Of the field of academic study in which one concentrates or specializes;
His major field was mathematics
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Major
Of greater seriousness or danger;
A major earthquake
A major hurricane
A major illness
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Major
Greater in importance, seriousness, or significance.
The company is making a major investment in renewable energy.
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Major
A military rank above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
The plan was approved by Major Smith.
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Major
A term used in music to refer to a scale, interval, or key.
The piece was composed in C major.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does choosing a major mean?
It involves selecting a specific field of study within a degree program.
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Can you change your major?
Yes, many students change majors, though it may extend their studies.
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Is a degree necessary for a successful career?
While beneficial, some careers do not require a college degree.
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Can majors impact graduate school applications?
Yes, your major can influence your suitability for certain graduate programs.
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What is a college degree?
It's an academic qualification awarded upon completing a course of study.
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What's the difference between a major and a minor?
A major is the primary focus, while a minor is a secondary concentration.
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Can you have multiple majors?
Yes, some students pursue double majors, though it can be more demanding.
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Does the type of degree matter for employment?
Yes, some careers require specific degrees or levels of education.
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How important is selecting the right major?
It's crucial as it guides your academic focus and potential career path.
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Can you get a job outside your major?
Yes, many careers value diverse educational backgrounds.
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How do majors affect earning potential?
Some majors lead to higher-paying careers than others.
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Is it possible to switch degrees?
Yes, though it may require additional coursework and time.
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Can you complete a degree online?
Yes, many institutions offer online degree programs.
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Is a double major the same as a dual degree?
No, a double major is within one degree, while a dual degree involves earning two separate degrees.
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Do employers look at your major or just your degree?
It depends on the field; some require specific majors, others don't.
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How does one declare a major?
This involves formally choosing your major through your college or university, often after completing initial coursework.
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How long does it take to earn a degree?
Typically, bachelor's degrees take 4 years, but this can vary.
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Are degrees from all colleges valued equally?
The value can vary based on the college's reputation and accreditation.
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How does one choose a major?
Consider your interests, career goals, and the job market.
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What are interdisciplinary majors?
These combine courses from different disciplines into one major.
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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