In the United States, more and more college graduates are pursuing graduate degrees. Graduate degrees (sometimes called "postgraduate degrees") are available in virtually every field of knowledge. They are divided into two main categories: the master’s and the doctorate. In general, a graduate student first earns a master’s degree. This requires completing a certain number of courses or credit hours. Depending on the field, it may also involve writing an in-depth research paper (a thesis), completing an oral exam, and/or completing an internship. Many students do not plan to study after earning the master’s degree. Others continue their education and pursue a doctoral degree. Like the master’s degree, the doctorate requires completing a certain number of courses or credit hours. A doctoral student’s main research paper is the dissertation. This paper may take a year or more to write, and it helps to establish the student’s specialized knowledge. It may serve as his or her first professional publication and help lead to job opportunities.

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