Schools offer a variety of degree programs. Determining why you are going back to school will help guide what type of education you need. Certificates are miniature degrees that offer only what you need for a specific professional field or task. Typically, a certificate is much shorter than a traditional degree. Some certificates can lead to other degrees. Associate’s degrees typically require around 60 credit hours and may represent the first two years of a bachelor’s degree. Bachelor’s degrees require 124-128 credit hours. Master’s degrees require 32-36 hours beyond a bachelor’s degree. Some programs require as many as 44 credit hours. Doctorate degrees require around 60-75 credit hours beyond a bachelor’s, plus successful completion of a comprehensive examination and a written dissertation of original research.