Definition

Noun: 1. A formal qualification awarded by a college or university: An academic degree is an official recognition that a person has successfully completed a prescribed program of study at an institution of higher education. It signifies a level of expertise or scholarship in a particular field.

Usage

An "academic degree" is the formal term for the qualification itself. It is typically used in formal, administrative, or official contexts when discussing educational attainment. - She holds an academic degree in molecular biology from Stanford University. - The job posting requires candidates to possess a relevant academic degree. - He is pursuing an academic degree while working full-time.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "To be awarded/conferred an academic degree": This is the formal phrasing for receiving the qualification.
  • He was awarded an academic degree with honors.
• "To hold an academic degree": This indicates possession of the qualification.
  • All faculty members hold an advanced academic degree in their field.

Variants and Related Words

• Degree: A common, shorter synonym used in everyday language.
  • She has a degree in history.
• Undergraduate degree: A degree awarded for completion of a bachelor's program.
• Graduate degree: An advanced degree, such as a master's or doctorate.
• Doctorate/Doctoral degree: The highest level of academic degree.

Synonyms

• University degree
• College degree
• Diploma (Note: In some contexts, "diploma" can refer to the certificate of degree completion or to a different type of qualification.)

Related Phrases

• Degree program: The specific course of study leading to a degree.
  • She enrolled in a four-year degree program.
• Degree requirements: The courses and criteria that must be met to earn the degree.
  • He has fulfilled all his degree requirements.

Noun

1. 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