What Is A Terminal Qualification? All You Need To Know!

A Qualification is an essential piece of document that certifies that a person has theoretical and/or practical expertise in a particular field. It also signifies that the person is prepared for that field of work.

This is why it is difficult to enter a line of work without having a certain level of certification in it. It can be anything from a high school Qualification to a college Credentials.

Have you heard of a doctor who has a title without going through years of Med-school or a lawyer who hasn’t passed the Bar? Certainly not! You would ideally require a professional Qualification, which most people think of as medicine or law.

What Is The Terminal Qualification?

A terminal Qualification refers to the highest Qualification available in any academic field. So essentially, if you graduate with a Terminal Qualification, you have reached the highest rank of education offered in your field.

Terminal degrees are usually offered through ‘Doctor of Philosophy Qualification’ programs, commonly known as PhDs.

However, there are other alternatives as well, such as Doctor of Education (EdD) or Juris Doctorate (JD). It can vary depending on your academic study.

A Bachelors’s and Masters help build your knowledge in your field. However, a terminal Qualification like a Ph.D. can make you an expert on the matter.

It is not always necessary to get a terminal Qualification to get a job. Still, it sure does get people promotions—especially someone who is looking to get to the highest rank within a corporation.

Different Types of Terminal Degrees

There are several types of Terminal degrees in different academic fields. You will be surprised to know that not all terminal degrees are doctorates.

§  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

There are many different fields in which you can get a Doctor of Philosophy Qualification. It is the highest level of education one can achieve in a certain academic discipline.

Some of the most popular fields that people enter include Engineering of all kinds, Physical therapy, Chemistry, Biology, Psychology, physics, English, Education, and more.

§  Doctor of Education (EdD)

You can get a Ph.D. in education as well as a Doctor of Education. Different schools give out different titles.

Some programs that end in an EdD are curriculum, Counselling, Policymaking, Leadership, Adult education, Technology within Education, and Administration.

§  Doctors of Art (DA)

A doctor of Arts program consists of a concentrated study on a certain aspect of the field compared to how someone would study it holistically.

People can get a doctor of art in Mathematics, English as well as history. It is considered a terminal Qualification in the UK; however, the USA recognizes it as an honorary Qualification.

Professional Degrees

Apart from doctorates, there are professional degrees as well, which can be earned before you decide to enter the workforce. Some workplaces may also require a professional Qualification in the academic discipline before you make the cut.

These degrees help students specialize in the area they are interested in. So you gain knowledge, do practical work, and improve your level of expertise in your chosen field.

A professional Qualification comprises three learning stages, usually, and the last stage is what qualifies as a terminal certification.

Some professions that require a terminal professional Qualification include Law (JD), Clinical healthcare. Pharmaceuticals, Dental care (DDS), Theology and ministry, Engineering, Chiropractic therapy (DC), Veterinary medicine (DVM), and Optometry.

A professional Qualification is just as extensive as a doctorate as it allows a person to master their field of focus and develop a certain specialization. Most professional degrees are complete in 5 to 7 years.

Are Masters Degrees considered Terminal Degrees too?

Yes, a master’s Qualification can be considered a terminal Qualification in certain cases. This is usually when the field of work does not have a requirement for higher education.

There are many masters that are recognized as terminal degrees, which include various creative fields like film, photography, cinematography, editing, or performing arts.

Certain business degrees also are sufficient at a master’s level and do not require a doctorate. Some examples of terminal masters degrees include Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Architecture (MArch), or a Master of Library Science (MLS).

FAQs

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions relating to Qualification programs to help you out.

§  Can I get a Novelty Credentials?

Yes, you can Get a Novelty Credentials. It is a fun and novelty item to have. Many people do it to decorate their workspaces, Get as a gift, or just enjoy a good joke.

However, a Novelty Credentials has no comparison with the real thing. You can sure get a Novelty Credentials, but it cannot replace UCF transcripts, can it?

§  Is there a Qualification higher than a Doctorate?

Currently, in the United States, there is nothing higher than Doctorate. However, that differs from country to country. For example, in the UK, you can earn a Doctor of Letters (DLitt) or a Doctor of Science (Dsc).