What Is a Graduate Degree?

A graduate or postgraduate degree is a master’s or doctoral degree that follows the completion of a bachelor’s degree. A graduate degree is necessary for many professions, such as a doctor, lawyer or professor.

Postgraduate degrees are more focused than undergraduate degrees, with classes centered around a specific field of study. Seeking a master’s degree requires one to three years of additional study, while a doctoral degree requires four to six years. Some colleges offer both undergraduate and graduate degree paths, while other colleges only offer one or the other.