Important things to know about postsecondary education

At a glance

• Postsecondary education encompasses a wide range of education options for you to pursue after earning a high school diploma or GED. These include community colleges, trade schools and four-year universities.
• Qualifications for postsecondary education vary depending on the type of program you want to attend or career outcomes you are looking for. For example, traditional four-year universities may require specific admission requirements like a minimum GPA, standardized test scores that meet a certain threshold, and potentially a personal essay.
• University of Phoenix offers flexible education and more than 100 programs that align to more than 300 real-world careers!

A wide range of educational opportunities is available after a student graduates high school, earns a GED or obtains another secondary completion credential. This is known as postsecondary education or tertiary education. The length of your postsecondary education might differ from that of another student, since it depends on your academic plans and long-term goals.

For example, someone wanting to become a nursing assistant may only need take a one-year certificate program, while someone who wants to become a college professor will likely need to go on to earn a master’s or doctoral degree, which can take multiple years to obtain after completing a four-year bachelor’s degree.

If you have a high school diploma or secondary completion credential (like a GED), learning about the postsecondary education system can help you define your goals and create a plan to find the right program for you. 

Secondary vs. postsecondary education

Secondary education, also known as high school in the United States, is the level of education that comes after primary/elementary school. In primary school, students generally work year-round with one teacher. In secondary school, studies are often more focused and students have several teachers who specialize in different subjects. Secondary school teachers work to prepare students for adulthood and future educational opportunities.

While secondary school, or at least a portion of secondary school, is mandated by state laws, postsecondary education is different. Completion of postsecondary programs are not required by law, and people can choose whether they want to pursue a program to advance their general learning, prepare for a specific career or develop a certain skill set.

Types of postsecondary institutions

Postsecondary education can be a great option because it accommodates many different goals, needs, budgets and time constraints. By understanding the different types of educational options available to you, you can choose the one that works best for you.

Vocational/Trade schools

Vocational, or trade schools, are ideal for high school graduates who want to learn a specific trade and enter the workforce quickly. Vocational/trade schools are often responsible for training plumbers, electricians and other vocations that require a specialized set of skills.

Most trade school programs can be completed in under two years, and they qualify you to work in your chosen profession without additional education. They operate under an intensive, career-focused curriculum.

Community colleges

The historical goal of a community college is to provide educational opportunities for people locally. Community colleges normally offer certificates, professional development programs and a range of two-year degrees called associate degrees. With an associate degree a person can graduate and enter the workforce, or they can transfer those credits to a four-year institution and have the credits from the associate degree count toward a bachelor’s degree.

Community colleges do not have selective admission requirements and are normally more affordable than larger four-year institutions. While pursuing an associate degree at a community college, you will need to take some general education courses in subjects like English, math and history, and then fill out the rest of your requirements with courses specific to the subject you are earning your degree in. 

Colleges and universities

Colleges and universities are educational institutions that offer four-year undergraduate degrees, and many times they offer more advanced degrees such as master’s and doctoral degrees. Colleges and universities may also offer associate degrees and certificates, but the focus of these schools is usually on higher degree levels.

In the United States, an undergraduate bachelor’s degree program typically takes students four years to complete when attending school full time. A bachelor’s degree program is a mix of a breadth of studies through general education (math, English, humanities, etc.) and a depth of study in the student’s major or focus area, which is why the degree generally takes four years to earn.

After completing a four-year undergraduate program, a student may continue at the university level to earn a master’s or doctoral degree to acquire expert-level knowledge within a specific field of study. Doing so may unlock career advancement or teaching opportunities. 

In the past several decades, distance learning has grown in popularity at colleges and universities. Students can now earn associate, bachelor’s, master’s and even doctoral degrees completely online.

These programs often have affordable tuition rates, and adults who are working full time, traveling frequently or raising a family benefit from the flexibility that online programs provide. Online programs also may provide new opportunities for students who did not think going to a college or university was possible upon high school graduation.

Alternative Postsecondary Learning Options

There are other learning options outside of certificate and degree programs that postsecondary institutions provide to prospective learners.

Non-degree students

If you are not interested in earning another degree after graduating high school, that doesn’t mean you have to leave the classroom forever. Many community colleges and universities allow non-degree students to take courses. This opportunity is ideal for individuals who want to take a specific class to learn about a new topic or develop a skill but aren’t interested in pursuing an entire degree. Institutions may have different admissions requirements for students who are not trying to earn credits or complete a degree and want to take single courses as a non-degree student.

Life skills programs

Not every postsecondary program is a strictly academic or focused on a career outcome. For example, life skills programs exist to help students develop social skills, critical thinking and independence needed to succeed in the world and create awareness about life and society around us. Life skills programs may be offered at local schools, community colleges and cultural centers.

Continuing education programs

Even if you do earn a postsecondary degree, that does not mean your education is done. If you’re trying to earn a raise or a promotion, or you want to develop a more specialized skill within your field, then participating in a continuing education program might be the right choice. Additionally, certain professions, like teaching, may require individuals to take recurring continuing education courses to stay current on trends and needs. Colleges and universities often host these programs, and you can speak with your supervisor about potential tuition funding or other benefits that may be available through your employer to help you pursue continuing education opportunities.