Degree Advice

Find answers to common questions on entrance exams, college applications, financial aid, success in college, and degree alternatives.

Coursera logo C cutout
[Featured Image] A high school student sits in a library working on their responses to the Common App essay prompts.

Common App Essay Prompts: Craft a Compelling Application Essay

Discover how to craft a compelling Common App essay that sets you apart. Explore its purpose, current prompts, and key strategies to create an engaging piece that highlights your unique personality.

March 18, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A college student sitting with a laptop in the campus commons area working on their cover letter for graduate school.

How to Write a Cover Letter for Graduate School

A cover letter for graduate school is the introduction to your application, and it explains why you are a strong candidate for the program. Read an example cover letter, and learn how to write your own cover letter for graduate school.

March 18, 2025

Article

[Feature Image] A learner searches online, asking, “Do you need a bachelor’s to get a master’s degree?” as they plan their educational pathway.

Do You Need a Bachelor’s to Get a Master’s Degree?

Explore whether you need a bachelor’s degree to earn a master’s degree, what alternative educational pathways may be available, and questions to ask yourself when determining the right pathway for you.

March 18, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A high school student sits in a library working on their responses to the Common App essay prompts.

Common App Essay Prompts: Craft a Compelling Application Essay

Discover how to craft a compelling Common App essay that sets you apart. Explore its purpose, current prompts, and key strategies to create an engaging piece that highlights your unique personality.

March 18, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A college student sitting with a laptop in the campus commons area working on their cover letter for graduate school.

How to Write a Cover Letter for Graduate School

A cover letter for graduate school is the introduction to your application, and it explains why you are a strong candidate for the program. Read an example cover letter, and learn how to write your own cover letter for graduate school.

March 18, 2025

Article

These courses could be eligible for degree credit

Google

Skills you'll gain: Vibe coding, Prompt Patterns, AI powered creativity, Brainstorming, Planning, AI literacy, Visual Storytelling, Responsible AI, Prompt Engineering Tools, Generative AI, Data Wrangling, Data Analysis, Content Creation, Artificial Intelligence, Presentations, Business Communication, Data Visualization, Research, Project Management, Machine Learning

Category: Credit offered

Google

Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Rmarkdown, Data Visualization, Data Presentation, Data Ethics, Data Cleansing, Interactive Data Visualization, Data Validation, Ggplot2, R (Software), Sampling (Statistics), Spreadsheet Software, Data Analysis, Stakeholder Communications, LinkedIn, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), File Management, Web Presence, Data Structures, Interviewing Skills

Status: Free Trial
Category: AI skills
Category: Build toward a degree

Google

Skills you'll gain: Quality Management, Project Closure, Scope Management, Team Management, Project Management Life Cycle, Product Quality (QA/QC), Sprint Retrospectives, Project Management, Project Planning, Agile Project Management, Quality Assessment, Quality Assurance, Backlogs, Team Leadership, Project Scoping, Agile Software Development, Stakeholder Communications, Change Management, Web Presence, Interviewing Skills

Status: Free Trial
Category: AI skills
Category: Build toward a degree
[Featured image]: A student in a cafe uses a laptop as they apply to a master’s degree program.

How Many Grad Schools Should I Apply To?

Discover which factors to consider when applying to graduate school, alternatives to earning your master’s degree, and how many grad schools you should apply to.

March 18, 2025

Article

[Video thumbnail] 9 jobs that pay well without a degree

9 High-Paying Jobs, No Degree Required [VIDEO]

Think you need a degree to earn a great salary? Think again! This video explores 9 in-demand jobs that pay well WITHOUT necessarily requiring a four-year degree.

March 7, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A young woman who holds no marketing degree, is sitting on her livingroom floor, working on a marketing project for a company.

How to Get Into Marketing Without a Degree

Discover several strategies for entering the field of marketing without a college degree.

February 3, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A young person sits at a laptop in a required class for their computer science degree.

What Classes Are Required for a Computer Science Degree?

As the digital age continues to evolve, the pursuit of a computer science degree has become synonymous with a passport to opportunity. Learn more about what classes are required for a computer science degree.

January 29, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A man sits at his laptop at home to research whether you need a degree to be a software engineer.

Do You Need a Degree to Be a Software Engineer?

Discover how to become a software engineer without a degree and which skills you need to start a successful career in the field.

January 28, 2025

Article

[Featured image] A college student sits at their laptop in a library as they contemplate if they can get a bachelor's degree in two years.

Can You Get a Bachelor's Degree in 2 Years or Less?

Explore ways to get a bachelor’s degree in half the time it takes many students, and the possible benefits and alternatives to a two-year undergraduate degree.

January 9, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A woman works on a desktop computer to form data without human supervision, otherwise known as unsupervised learning for artificial intelligence.

How Unsupervised Learning Works with Examples

Unsupervised learning algorithms help machines evaluate large data sets to find hidden patterns and insights. Discover how you can leverage this method across industries to inform business insights, segment customers, uncover genetic insights, and more.

January 6, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A college student uses a laptop to search 'what degree do you need for real estate agent'

What Degree Do You Need for Real Estate Agent Careers?

Real estate agents don't need a degree to enter the profession, but you may find it helpful to have one in business, marketing, communications, or a related field. Read on to explore what degree you need for a real estate agent career.

December 5, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A recent graduate wonders what comes after a master's degree.

What Comes After a Master’s Degree? 8 Paths to Consider

Explore your career options after completing a master’s degree.

November 8, 2024

Article

[Feature Image] A learner searches online, asking, “Do you need a bachelor’s to get a master’s degree?” as they plan their educational pathway.

Do You Need a Bachelor’s to Get a Master’s Degree?

Explore whether you need a bachelor’s degree to earn a master’s degree, what alternative educational pathways may be available, and questions to ask yourself when determining the right pathway for you.

March 18, 2025

Article

[Featured image]: A student in a cafe uses a laptop as they apply to a master’s degree program.

How Many Grad Schools Should I Apply To?

Discover which factors to consider when applying to graduate school, alternatives to earning your master’s degree, and how many grad schools you should apply to.

March 18, 2025

Article

[Video thumbnail] 9 jobs that pay well without a degree

9 High-Paying Jobs, No Degree Required [VIDEO]

Think you need a degree to earn a great salary? Think again! This video explores 9 in-demand jobs that pay well WITHOUT necessarily requiring a four-year degree.

March 7, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A young woman who holds no marketing degree, is sitting on her livingroom floor, working on a marketing project for a company.

How to Get Into Marketing Without a Degree

Discover several strategies for entering the field of marketing without a college degree.

February 3, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A young person sits at a laptop in a required class for their computer science degree.

What Classes Are Required for a Computer Science Degree?

As the digital age continues to evolve, the pursuit of a computer science degree has become synonymous with a passport to opportunity. Learn more about what classes are required for a computer science degree.

January 29, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A man sits at his laptop at home to research whether you need a degree to be a software engineer.

Do You Need a Degree to Be a Software Engineer?

Discover how to become a software engineer without a degree and which skills you need to start a successful career in the field.

January 28, 2025

Article

[Featured image] A college student sits at their laptop in a library as they contemplate if they can get a bachelor's degree in two years.

Can You Get a Bachelor's Degree in 2 Years or Less?

Explore ways to get a bachelor’s degree in half the time it takes many students, and the possible benefits and alternatives to a two-year undergraduate degree.

January 9, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A woman works on a desktop computer to form data without human supervision, otherwise known as unsupervised learning for artificial intelligence.

How Unsupervised Learning Works with Examples

Unsupervised learning algorithms help machines evaluate large data sets to find hidden patterns and insights. Discover how you can leverage this method across industries to inform business insights, segment customers, uncover genetic insights, and more.

January 6, 2025

Article

[Featured Image] A college student uses a laptop to search 'what degree do you need for real estate agent'

What Degree Do You Need for Real Estate Agent Careers?

Real estate agents don't need a degree to enter the profession, but you may find it helpful to have one in business, marketing, communications, or a related field. Read on to explore what degree you need for a real estate agent career.

December 5, 2024

Article

[Featured Image] A recent graduate wonders what comes after a master's degree.

What Comes After a Master’s Degree? 8 Paths to Consider

Explore your career options after completing a master’s degree.

November 8, 2024

Article

Earning your degree is a big commitment, but it can also yield big rewards. As you consider the next step in your higher education, bookmark these resources and guides for each step along the way. Explore advice and information on:

  • Entrance exams

  • College applications

  • Financial aid

  • Success in college

  • Degree alternatives

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)