At University of Phoenix, we know earning a college degree can help you prepare for a successful future.
But you don’t have to take our word for it. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that full-time workers age 25 and older had median weekly earnings of $583 in 2005 if they were high school graduates. By comparison, earnings were $699 for those with associate’s degrees, $937 for those with bachelor’s degrees, $1,129 for those with master’s degrees and $1,421 for those with doctoral degrees.1
But the advantages of earning a degree can stretch beyond earnings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BSL), data consistently shows, on average, that college graduates “experience less unemployment and have a wider variety of career options than other workers do. A college degree also makes it easier for jobseekers to enter many of the fastest growing, highest paying occupations.” 2
Now that you’ve seen the value of a college education, use the links below to explore how earning your degree at University of Phoenix can help you succeed in a variety of fields.
• Business
• Criminal Justice
• Education
• Health Care and Nursing
• Human Services
• Technology
Business
According to the BLS, the “growing complexity of business is expected to increase the demand for college graduates who have formal business training.” 3
For instance, most accountant and auditor positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, according to the BLS, and some employers prefer applicants with a master’s degree in accounting or a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. 4
Similarly, many employers seek college graduates who have majored in human resources, human resources administration or industrial and labor relations to fill entry level positions as human resources, training and labor relations managers and specialists, notes the BLS. What if you want to advance in the human resources field? Keep this in mind: A master’s in human resources, labor relations or in business administration with a concentration in human resources management “is highly recommended for those seeking general and top management positions,” reports the BLS.5
The importance of a college education is seen in numerous other business areas, including marketing. According to the BLS, some employers prefer a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration with an emphasis on marketing for management positions in marketing, sales and promotion. The BLS adds that in highly technical industries, a bachelor’s degree in engineering or science, combined with a master’s degree in business administration, is preferred.6
Interested in earning a degree in business? Click here to explore University of Phoenix degree programs in accounting, business administration, communications, e-business, finance, global management, hospitality management, human resources, management, marketing, organizational leadership, public administration, retail management and supply chain and operations management.
Criminal Justice
A college degree may help you succeed in a variety of criminal justice positions. For instance, a bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice or a related field is usually required for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists, notes the BLS. Additionally, the BLS reports that some employers require previous experience or a master’s degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology or a related field.7
If you’re interested in police or detective positions, BLS data shows that some larger law enforcement departments require a year or two of college coursework while federal and state agencies typically require a college degree.8
Interested in a degree in criminal justice? Click here to explore University of Phoenix degree programs.
Education
Education-related occupations are expected to provide “plentiful opportunities for college graduates,” according to the BLS, noting that most openings will result from the retirement of thousands of teachers and administrators.9
That’s good news for job seekers. But whether you want to teach kindergarten or high school, you’ll need a college degree. According to the BLS, “all states require general education teachers to have a bachelor’s degree,” as well as have completed an approved teacher training program and supervised practice teaching. The BLS notes that some states have additional requirements and a number of states require that teachers obtain a master’s degree in education within a specified period after they begin teaching.10
What if your dream is to become an education administrator? Consider pursuing even higher education. Most education administrators begin their careers in related occupations, often as teachers, reports the BLS, and prepare for advancement into education administration by completing a master’s or doctoral degree. 11
Interested in earning a degree in education? Click here to explore University of Phoenix degree programs.
Health Care and Nursing
Now’s an ideal time to launch or advance your career in the health care field. According to the BLS, “The need for healthcare—and healthcare practitioners—will increase as the population ages, providing job openings for people who have the appropriate education.” 12
Indeed, having the appropriate education can be important in a variety of health care positions. For instance, RNs with at least a bachelor’s degree generally will have better job prospects than those without a bachelor’s, reports the BLS.13
If you’re interested in management positions, the BLS notes that a master’s degree in health services administration, public administration or business administration is among the standard credentials for most general medical and health services management positions. However, the BLS adds that a bachelor’s degree is adequate for some entry-level positions in smaller facilities, at the departmental level within health care organizations, and in health information management.14
Interested in a degree in health care? Click here to explore University of Phoenix degree programs in health administration and nursing.
Human Services
A career in the human services field can provide the satisfaction of helping others. If you’re interested in advancing in this field, a college degree can help you achieve your goal. According to the BLS, social and human service assistants will find that “formal education almost always is necessary for advancement.” In general, advancement requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in human services, counseling, rehabilitation, social work or a related field, notes the BLS.15
Interested in earning a degree in human services? Click here to explore University of Phoenix degree programs.
Technology
We live in an increasingly high-tech world, and that can mean job opportunities for those with the right skills and knowledge. In fact, the BLS notes that the “rapid spread of technology across all industries has generated a need for highly trained workers to help organizations incorporate new technologies.”16
For example, employers of computer systems analysts are “increasingly seeking individuals with a master’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in information systems, as more firms move their business to the Internet,” notes the BLS.17
As for computer and information systems managers, job opportunities will be best for applicants with computer-related work experience; a master’s degree in business administration with technology as a core component, or a management information systems degree; and strong communication and administrative skills, reports the BLS.18
Interested in earning a degree in technology? Click here to explore University of Phoenix degree programs in information systems, software engineering and visual communication.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Education pays...” Earnings source: U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 6, 2007, from http://stats.bls.gov/emp/emptab7.htm
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Quarterly, “The 2004-2014 Job Outlook for College Graduates.” Fall 2006, p. 43.
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Quarterly, “The 2004-2014 Job Outlook for College Graduates.” Fall 2006, p. 51.
4 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Accountants and Auditors, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos001.htm.
5 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Human Resources, Training and Labor Relations Managers and Specialists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos021.htm.
6 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Advertising, Marketing, Promotions, Public Relations and Sales Managers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos020.htm.
7 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos265.htm.
8 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Police and Detectives, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos160.htm.
9 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Quarterly, “The 2004-2014 Job Outlook for College Graduates.” Fall 2006, p. 52.
10 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Teachers—Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle and Secondary, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos069.htm.
11 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Education Administration, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos007.htm.
12 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Quarterly, “The 2004-2014 Job Outlook for College Graduates.” Fall 2006, p. 53.
13 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Registered Nurses, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos083.htm.
14 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Medical and Health Services Managers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos014.htm.
15 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Social and Human Services Assistants, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos059.htm.
16 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Computer Systems Analysts, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos287.htm.
17 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Computer Systems Analysts, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos287.htm.
18 Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Computer and Information Systems Managers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos258.htm
