Key Difference: An academic degree or simply a degree is a college or university diploma that is often associated with award a person in recognition that the recipient has completed a particular course. A diploma is a certificate or deed that is issued by an institution, such as a university, college, or high school that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course. Degree courses are usually longer compared to diploma courses.

Degree and diplomas are words that are often used to describe accreditation by school, university of college. In today’s world both of these words have become synonymous; a person attains his degree when he receives his diploma. However, these two are slightly different from each other.

An academic degree or simply a degree is a college or university diploma that is often associated with award a person in recognition that the recipient has completed a particular course. Degrees that are commonly awarded are Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees. Dictionary.com defines ‘degree’ as, “an academic award conferred by a university or college on successful completion of a course or as an honorary distinction.”  A degree helps a person in terms of getting him/her geared for the job. For example, if studying to a mechanical engineer, earning an engineering degree and specializing in mechanics, will help the recipient earn the necessary qualifications for the job.

A diploma is a certificate or deed that is issued by an institution, such as a university, college, or high school that testifies that the recipient has successfully completed a particular course. The diploma is also given when a person successfully completes a degree course. The term ‘diploma’ comes from the Greek word ‘díplōma’ meaning “folded paper.”  In some countries, diploma can also refer to as a testimonium or testamur, which means “I testify” in Latin. In some countries such as India, a diploma refers to the certification that is earned by completing professional/vocational courses such as Diploma in Electronics Engineering. It is also rated differently when compared to degrees. According to Dictionary.com, a diploma is “a document given by an educational institution conferring a degree on a person or certifying that the person has satisfactorily completed a course of study.” It can also be a document “conferring some honor, privilege, or power.”

Degrees are considered to be at a higher level compared to diplomas, which can be attained by fulfilling short courses that do not require full time courses. In many countries, the terms refer to two different types of certifications that a person can qualify for. Degrees usually require proper four year studies and are geared towards readying the person for the future. A person completing a degree course could also be required to do some internship programs or partake in other projects. However, diplomas do not have such requirements. A diploma is also awarded to a person that graduates high school. Certain diploma programs can also help a person specialize and learn in-depth about a certain portion of his work. For example, a microbiologist after earning his/her degree takes on a diploma course to specialize in a particular type of species.

Owning a degree or a diploma can help a person try and go up the ranks, also earning them a decent paycheck. A person should look into what they want to do, which course is suitable for them before picking either a diploma course or a degree course that is right for them.

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