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From Associate to Doctorate: A Complete Guide to College Degree Levels

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Are you ready to discover your college program?

Considering a college degree? First, you’ll have to understand the types of degrees and college degree levels.

Different degrees prepare you for different career paths. For example, you can’t become a psychologist with just a bachelor’s degree — you’d need a master’s or doctorate in psychology. And you usually can’t become an engineer without at least a bachelor’s degree.

Typically, as your university degree level rises, your earning potential increases, and the unemployment rate decreases. That’s one more reason it’s important to understand the different types of degrees.

What Types of Degrees Are There in College?

There are many types of degrees you can earn in college. College degree levels can be broken down into two categories: undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees.

Here are the college degrees in order, from lowest ranking to highest:

• Associate degree (undergraduate)
• Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate)
• Master’s degree (graduate)
• Doctoral degree (graduate)

While a doctorate is the highest education level, some fields may stop at a master’s. The phrase “terminal degree” refers to the highest degree in a field.

A professional degree is a type of graduate degree — often a doctorate — that prepares you for a professional career in fields like law and medicine.

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Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Associate Degree

• Typical Program Length: 1-2 years
• Typical Number of Credits: 60

Most associate degrees prepare you to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation. These programs can be found at community and technical colleges and typically last 1-2 years.

An associate degree can also serve as the foundation for a bachelor’s program. You may even be able to transfer some of the credits you earned for your associate degree toward a four-year degree.

Some associate degrees require you to complete an internship or practicum in addition to taking classes. This is particularly common among healthcare and tech degrees.

To apply for an associate degree program , you’ll need a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED certificate. Some schools may require you to submit standardized test scores, such as the ACT or the SAT, as well.

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What can you do with an associate degree.

An associate degree prepares you for vocational, allied health, and support roles. For example, you can become a medical assistant , paralegal , or vet tech with an associate degree.

The highest-paying careers with an associate degree pay over $80,000 per year. See the table below for salary information on other popular associate degree jobs.

Source: BLS

Types of Associate Degrees

Colleges can offer three kinds of associate degrees:

• Associate of Arts (AA)
• Associate of Science (AS)
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Arts, humanities, and creative fields typically offer an AA, whereas social sciences and natural sciences fields often award an AS. Many applied and vocational programs offer an AAS degree.

The type of degree matters if you’re planning to transfer into a bachelor’s program. Colleges normally offer fewer transfer credits for an AAS degree.

Popular Associate Degrees

• Business Administration
• Business Management
• Computer Science
• Criminal Justice
• Cybersecurity
• Early Childhood Education
• Graphic Design
• Healthcare Management
• Information Technology
• Medical Assisting
• Medical Billing and Coding
• Pre-Nursing
• Social Work

Bachelor’s Degree

• Typical Program Length: 4 years
• Typical Number of Credits: 120

A bachelor’s degree prepares you for many career paths. You’ll generally spend four years earning a bachelor’s degree at a college or university. You’ll take general education classes and courses in your major . You can also choose a minor.

Some colleges offer accelerated bachelor’s programs , which take less time — often 2-3 years. Degree-completion programs can also speed up the timeline by awarding you credit for previous college coursework.

You can earn your bachelor’s degree online as well. An online degree from an accredited college meets the same standards as that of an in-person degree.

You’ll need a high school diploma for admission and may also need to submit SAT or ACT scores.

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What can you do with a bachelor’s degree.

In diverse industries like business, tech, and education, a bachelor’s degree can prepare you for many entry-level careers. Some of the highest-paying jobs with a bachelor’s degree include roles in finance, management, and tech.

Graduates with a four-year degree can also benefit from high demand in many lucrative fields, like software development and engineering. The table below introduces some popular jobs with a bachelor’s degree.

Types of Bachelor’s Degrees

You can earn a bachelor’s degree in many fields. Some of the most common types of bachelor’s degrees you’ll see include:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Bachelor of Science (BS)
• Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA)
• Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)
• Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.)
• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The two most popular degrees are a BA and a BS. These degrees cover all arts and sciences majors and some education and engineering degrees.

Popular Bachelor’s Degrees

• Civil Engineering
• Communication
• Computer Programming
• Health Informatics
• Health Sciences
• Human Resources
• Mathematics
• Organizational Psychology
• Political Science
• Public Policy
• Supply Chain and Logistics

Master’s Degree

• Typical Program Length: 1-3 years
• Typical Number of Credits: 30

A master’s degree can help you gain specialized skills and qualify for higher-paying roles. As a graduate student, you’ll work closely with experts in your field to explore advanced topics.

While a master’s degree typically takes two years, some universities offer accelerated one-year master’s programs. You can also enroll in a bachelor’s-to-master’s program to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time.

Most master’s programs require a minimum of 30 credits. Admission and graduation requirements vary depending on the program. For example, many arts and sciences master’s programs require GRE scores , while business programs typically require GMAT scores .

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What can you do with a master’s degree.

With a master’s degree, you can qualify for management-level careers and specialized roles in industries like healthcare, research, and social services. The highest-paying master’s degrees include MBAs and nurse practitioner degrees.

Learn more about the earning potential and demand for popular master’s degree jobs below.

Types of Master’s Degrees

Here are some of the most common types of master’s degrees you can earn:

• Master of Arts (MA)
• Master of Science (MS)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Education (M.Ed.)
• Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
• Master of Laws (LL.M.)
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Public Policy (MPP)
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
• Master of Social Work (MSW)

An MA and an MS are among the most popular master’s degrees. Humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences fields typically award an MA or an MS. Other popular options include an MBA and an M.Ed.

Popular Master’s Degrees

• Creative Writing
• Data Science
• Engineering
• Healthcare Administration
• Library and Information Science
• Network Security
• Public Health
• Supply Chain Management

Doctoral Degrees

• Typical Program Length: 2-10 years
• Typical Number of Credits: Varies

A doctorate represents the highest degree you can get in academia. There are a few types of doctoral degrees you can get.

Professional doctorates train you for a professional career. For example, law school and med school are two common professional paths. A Ph.D., on the other hand — by far one of the most common types of doctorates — emphasizes theory and research.

In a doctoral program, you’ll take graduate-level seminars and courses, take comprehensive exams, conduct original research, and defend a dissertation in front of a faculty committee.

Most applied doctorates take 3-5 years, while a Ph.D. typically requires 4-6 years of coursework. In certain fields, you can earn your doctorate online.

Some doctoral programs require a master’s degree for admission, whereas others admit applicants with just a bachelor’s degree. You may need to submit standardized test scores depending on the program.

Featured Doctoral Programs

What can you do with a doctorate.

If you want to become a physician , professor , or lawyer, you’ll need a doctorate. In many fields, a doctorate translates into higher salaries. Lawyers, pharmacists , and physicists all report median salaries of over $125,000 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The following table shows the earning potential and demand for popular doctoral degree jobs.

Types of Doctoral Degrees

A doctorate is the highest education level, but there are still several types of doctoral degrees. Here are some of the most common you can get:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.)
• Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
• Juris Doctor (JD)

A Ph.D. is the most popular doctorate. You can earn a Ph.D. in many arts and sciences fields. Other doctorates take their names from the career path associated with the degree.

Popular Doctoral Degrees

• Curriculum and Instruction
• Educational Administration
• Educational Leadership
• Human Services
• Legal Studies
• Organizational Leadership
• Public Administration

Frequently Asked Questions About College Degree Levels

What are the four types of college degrees.

The four types of college degrees are associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees. Colleges classify associate and bachelor’s degrees as undergraduate degrees and master’s and doctoral degrees as graduate degrees.

Within those categories, you can earn many types of degrees. For instance, at the bachelor’s level, you could earn a bachelor of arts (BA), a bachelor of science (BS), or a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree.

What is a four-year college degree called?

A four-year college degree is called a bachelor’s degree. Another term for this degree type is a baccalaureate degree.

Many careers require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level roles. For example, most careers in business require you to hold a bachelor’s degree. Many roles in tech, education, the public sector, and engineering also require you to have a four-year degree.

Some career paths require a specific major. In many states, you’ll need a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) to become a registered nurse . In other fields, your specific major matters less than the quality of your skills.

What is the highest degree?

The highest degree is a doctorate, also called a doctoral degree. In terms of university degree levels, both master’s and bachelor’s degrees rank below doctorates.

You can earn a doctorate in a wide array of fields, including the social sciences, business, the humanities, education, engineering, and healthcare.

In some fields, however, a master’s degree represents the terminal, or highest, degree. For instance, a master of fine arts (MFA) is the terminal degree for creative writing.

What is the hardest college degree?

Most would agree that the hardest college degree is a doctorate. As the highest education level, a doctorate requires significant expertise in the field.

Many Ph.D. programs take six years or more and require you to write a book-length dissertation based on original research.

Because a doctorate represents the top of the university degree levels, it’s a relatively uncommon degree. Only around 2% of U.S. adults held a doctorate in 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau .

What is the quickest degree?

The fastest degree you can get is either a one-year associate degree or a one-year master’s degree. While other types of degrees typically take a minimum of two years, you can earn a master’s degree in one year with an accelerated or fast-track program.

You can sometimes add a master’s degree to your bachelor’s through a 4+1 program, also known as a bachelor’s-to-master’s program. In this case, some of your coursework counts toward both your undergraduate and graduate degrees, meaning you’ll spend an additional year in college to leave with a master’s degree.

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More colleges are offering AI degrees — could they give job seekers an edge?

As artificial intelligence continues to attract attention and investors , colleges and universities are beginning to market undergraduate AI degrees to students, from Arizona State University to the University of Texas at Dallas.

New graduates are coming into a rough tech job market. While computer science degrees were once seen as a golden ticket to high-paying tech jobs, now, it’s become harder to land tech internships or entry-level positions with increased competition and major cuts across the industry .

But AI majors and professors are hopeful that a more specialized course of study may help graduates stand out.

NBC News identified 13 major colleges and universities that began offering bachelor’s degrees in AI in the last six years. 

With some of the first AI majors just graduating in the last several years, it remains an open question how the majors will fare, but early signs suggest the new degree could give young job seekers an edge.

Carnegie Mellon University was the first in the U.S. to launch a B.S. in Artificial Intelligence in 2018, saying at the time that the major would address the “growing demand for AI specialists.” The University of Pennsylvania will be offering a major in AI starting this fall, while colleges known for their STEM research like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Purdue University also currently grant undergraduate degrees in AI.

“This is a pioneering and forward-looking interdisciplinary program,” University of Southern California professor Yolanda Gil said while announcing her school’s Artificial Intelligence for Business degree. “With this program, we will empower business and organizational leaders to understand the possibilities, as well as the limitations, of AI technologies and to help them better understand the people they serve, predict trends and improve decision-making processes.”

According to Reid Simmons, director of the AI major at Carnegie Mellon, there were initially some doubts at his school about how interested employers would be in an undergraduate major in AI. However, he described the reaction as “very positive.”

“Some of the bigger tech firms indicated that they would hire everybody,” Simmons said. “That was six years ago.”

Simmons noted that most of his students went to Big Tech companies. Now, students are working in other industries like health care, finance and robotics as well. While AI majors are not necessarily guaranteed an internship or job at a Big Tech company like Google or Apple in 2024, Simmons said that many of his students have found internships and jobs this summer.

Among them is Mehmet Deniz Birlikci, who graduated with a B.S. in Artificial Intelligence from Carnegie Mellon this past May and will be joining Amazon’s AGI division soon as an engineer. Birlikci was initially interested in studying computer science but switched to the AI major sophomore year.

“I was really viewing AI as a new computing paradigm which is a lot more flexible than hard coding rules,” Birlikci said.

He got an internship in 2022 with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, where he helped train and deploy AI models. Birlikci credited the “branding that CMU AI gave” with helping him land the position.

As more students graduate with AI degrees, the programs are becoming more popular with students. Out of the around 250 incoming freshmen to the School of CS, Simmons noted, 200 noted in a survey that they were “considering” the AI major. While he acknowledged that not all students will end up declaring the major, it marked a substantial increase from the 30 to 35 majors the department estimated when originally establishing the program.

Still, landing a Big Tech job is not students’ primary motivation for choosing the major, Birlikci said. “[Students] are much more interested in getting their hands dirty building things and really leaving an impact than just get[ting] pure jobs,” he said.

Birlikci also noted that since only a few colleges in the U.S. offer an AI major, it’s hard to tell whether the seeming success of these students on the internship or job hunt is due to their college’s general prestige or the skills learned in the major.

“There’s a radical difference between the top schools such as UPenn, MIT or Carnegie Mellon and what it means to come out of them,” Birlikci said.

Emma Twitmyer, a rising junior at Penn, is one of the first students at her school to major in AI. Twitmyer noted that she has already finished transferring her credits to her new major.

“In the world that we live in today, a technical degree is always an asset, and this degree will absolutely be technical in nature,” Twitmyer said, adding that she believes majoring in AI will allow students to pursue careers in many fields.

Twitmyer said that there are “plenty of us transferring this year,” with more students in younger grades to follow.

Julie Steele, also in the Class of 2026, is majoring in Course 6-4, Artificial Intelligence and Decision Making, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which first started offering the major in 2022.

This summer, Steele is interning at Citadel as a software engineering intern. An internship at Citadel is one of the most coveted among college students; recently, Business Insider reported that out of tens of thousands of applicants, only 300 were selected this year, with the company focusing on attracting “top talent.”

Steele said that although her current internship doesn’t directly involve AI, her past experiences have been AI-focused. Steele works as a researcher for MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and was a Data Science & AI Engineering and Research Intern for Nasdaq, per her LinkedIn.

While she’s heard fellow students talk about how it’s been harder to find internships, Steele noted that the people she knows majoring in Course 6-4 have landed a variety of summer opportunities, including doing research or software engineering and finance-related internships.

According to Nancy Xu, founder of the AI-powered tech recruiting platform Moonhub, a bachelor’s degree in AI may appeal to employers who aren’t looking for AI researchers but “great software engineers who have an understanding of AI.”

“Ultimately, we don’t have enough people who work in AI and we need more people,” Xu said.

Victoria Feng is an intern on the NBC News technology desk.

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• Science Education (Secondary Biological Sciences) – M.A.
• Science Education (Secondary Earth Science)– M.A.
• View all Technology Bachelor's Degrees

Cloud Computing – B.S.

Computer Science – B.S.

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – B.S.

Data Analytics – B.S.

Information Technology – B.S.

Network Engineering and Security – B.S.

Software Engineering – B.S.

Accelerated Information Technology Bachelor's and Master's Degree

• Information Technology Management – B.S. Business Administration (from the School of Business)
• User Experience Design – B.S. (from the School of Business)
• View all Technology Master's Degrees
• Cybersecurity and Information Assurance – M.S.
• Data Analytics – M.S.
• Information Technology Management – M.S.
• MBA Information Technology Management (from the School of Business)
• Full Stack Engineering
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• Front End Web Development
• Back End Web Development

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• IT Certifications Included in WGU Degrees
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• Nursing (RN-to-BSN online) – B.S.
• Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S. (Available in select states)

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• Health and Human Services – B.S.
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• Health Science – B.S.
• Public Health – B.S.
• Healthcare Administration – B.S. (from the School of Business)
• View all Nursing Post-Master's Certificates
• Nursing Education—Post-Master's Certificate
• Nursing Leadership and Management—Post-Master's Certificate
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• View all Health & Nursing Degrees
• View all Nursing & Health Master's Degrees
• Nursing – Education (BSN-to-MSN Program) – M.S.
• Nursing – Leadership and Management (BSN-to-MSN Program) – M.S.
• Nursing – Nursing Informatics (BSN-to-MSN Program) – M.S.
• Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN Program) – M.S. (Available in select states)
• Nursing – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (BSN-to-MSN Program) – M.S. (Available in select states)
• Nursing – Education (RN-to-MSN Program) – M.S.
• Nursing – Leadership and Management (RN-to-MSN Program) – M.S.
• Nursing – Nursing Informatics (RN-to-MSN Program) – M.S.
• Master of Healthcare Administration
• Master of Public Health
• MBA Healthcare Management (from the School of Business)
• Business Leadership (with the School of Business)
• Supply Chain (with the School of Business)
• Accounting Fundamentals (with the School of Business)
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DEGREES & PROGRAMS

Degrees in IT—Online Bachelor’s Programs Designed For You

Information technology bachelor's degrees.

Problem solvers and math lovers needed! Your task:...

Problem solvers and math lovers needed! Your task:

Lay the groundwork for the computing breakthroughs that will enable tomorrow's technologies. Utilize your previous college courses or IT experience to help you complete your degree faster.

• Time:  60% of graduates in similar programs finish within 25 months.
• Tuition:  $4,085 per 6-month term.
• Courses: 38 total courses in this program.

You'll have the opportunity to earn these certifications:

• Linux Essentials
• Axelos ITIL Foundation

Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:

• Architecture and systems
• Data structures
• Computer theory
• Version Control

Protect your career and earning potential with this degree....

Protect your career and earning potential with this degree.

• Time:  60% of graduates finish within 29 months.
• Tuition:  $4,365 per 6-month term.
• Courses : 34 total courses in this program.

Certifications included in this program at no extra cost include:

• Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) - Associate of (ISC)2 designation
• Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) - Associate of (ISC)2 designation
• ITIL® Foundation Certification
• CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst Certification (CySA+)
• CompTIA IT Operations Specialist
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional
• CompTIA Network Security Professional
• CompTIA PenTest+
• CompTIA Project+
• CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist
• CompTIA Security+
• CompTIA Security Analytics Professional
• Secure Systems Analysis & Design
• Data Management
• Web and Cloud Security
• Hacking Countermeasures and Techniques
• Digital Forensics and Incident Response

Lean into data, and walk away with a cutting-edge online degree:...

Lean into data, and walk away with a cutting-edge online degree:

• Time:  62% of graduates finish within 36 months.
• Tuition and fees:  $3,835 per 6-month term.
• Courses:  39 total courses in this program.

Certifications in this program at no additional cost include:

• AWS Cloud Practitioner
• CompTIA Data+
• Udacity Nanodegree—a unique, highly recognized credential designed to prepare you for a career in data science
• MSI Change Management (Optional Certification)
• Certiprof Design Thinking Professional Certificate (Optional Certification)
• Data management
• Data wrangling
• Statistical analysis
• Visualization
• Leadership and management 
• Model deployment & storytelling

Launch your career in designing, securing, and optimizing complex networks....

Launch your career in designing, securing, and optimizing complex networks.

• Time:  61% of graduates finish similar programs within 36 months.
• Tuition:  $3,835 per 6-month term.
• Courses : 34 or 37 courses in this program depending on focus area
• Two focus areas: Students can choose between a Cisco or general program, allowing them to learn and gain experience in their chosen specialty.

Certifications:

• CompTIA Cloud+
• ITIL®*^ Foundation Certification
• LPI Linux Foundations

The Cisco program also includes: 

• Cisco DevNet
• Cisco CyberOps

The general program  also includes: 

• CompTIA IT Operations Specialist (Stacked)
• CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist (Stacked)
• CompTIA Cloud Admin Professional (Stacked)
• CompTIA Secure Cloud Professional (Stacked)
• Network engineering
• Network operations
• Security management skills

This program will help you develop strong skills in network design, network operations, and security management.

IT Management – B.S. Business Administration

IT managers are needed in nearly every organization:...

IT managers are needed in nearly every organization:

• Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
• Tuition:  $3,755 per 6-month term
• Courses: 40 total courses in this program

Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include: 

• Team Leadership
• Operations Management
• Communication
• Agile Project Management
• Analytical Techniques
• Information Technology

Key competencies of these online courses align with industry needs: management and leadership, networks and security, and information systems management.

You're a creative and tech genius who wants the bigger opportunities....

You're a creative and tech genius who wants the bigger opportunities.

• Time:  60% of graduates finish similar programs within 35 months.
• Courses: 36 or 38 total courses in this program depending on your track.

Certifications included in this program at no additional cost are:

• CompTIA Project +
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner 
• ITIL®1 Foundation Certification
• Scripting and programming
• Web development
• Mobile application development 
• User experience design
• Software quality assurance

A three-track program designed to arm you with the certifications and...

A three-track program designed to arm you with the certifications and credentials you need for a career like systems administrator, computer systems analyst, cloud support specialist, AWS support administrator, and more.

• Time:  63% of graduates finish within 37 months.
• Transfer:  Your previous college coursework and existing certifications may waive course requirements, helping you finish even faster.
• Courses : 37 total courses in this program.
• 3 Tracks:  Choose between a multi-cloud, AWS, or Azure focused track to learn specific software specialties.

Certifications at no extra cost, including:

• Amazon AWS Cloud Practitioner
• Amazon AWS SysOps Administration–Associate
• Azure Fundamentals
• Developing Solutions for Microsoft Azure
• LPI Linux Essentials
• Scripting and Automation
• Managing Cloud Security
• Development
• Applications
• Ongoing maintenance and security

Award-winning coursework and value-add certifications make this online...

Award-winning coursework and value-add certifications make this online program a top choice.

• Time:  61% of graduates finish within 39 months.
• Tuition:  $3,725 per 6-month term.
• Courses: 36 total courses in this program.

Certifications included in this program at no additional cost:

• CompTIA A+ 
• CompTIA Network+ 
• CompTIA Security+ 
• CompTIA Project+ 
• CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist 
• Networking and security
• Systems and services
• Business of IT

Earn both your bachelor’s in IT and master’s in IT management at a faster...

Earn both your bachelor’s in IT and master’s in IT management at a faster pace with fewer courses.

• Time: Approximately 5 years.
• Tuition : $3,725 per 6-month term for the bachelor's degree; $4,040 per term for the master's portion.
• Courses: 42 total courses in this program.

This program allows students to earn their bachelor's degree in IT and move directly into a master's degree in IT management, cutting down on the total number of courses to complete.

An online UX Design program designed for students who want to become...

An online UX Design program designed for students who want to become business-savvy designers that can generate best-in-class, customer-centric products and services.

• Time:  60% of students finish similar programs in 19 months.
• Tuition:  $3,755 per 6-month term
• Courses:  38 total courses in this program

Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:

• Wireframing and Prototyping
• Artificial Intelligence
• Accessible Design
• Figma Design Software
• UI/UX Research
• User Testing
• Adobe Express

This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.

A program designed for future leaders in HIM....

A program designed for future leaders in HIM.

• Time:  61% of grads earned this degree in 36 months or less.
• Tuition:  $4,210 per 6-month term.
• Courses : 36 total courses in this program.
• Medical Terminology
• Healthcare System Applications
• Health Information Law and Regulations
• Healthcare Project Management
• Data Analytics and Information Governance

This CAHIIM-accredited program makes you eligible for the RHIA exam. 

Compare with B.S. Business – Healthcare Management

Top Information Technology Certifications at No Extra Cost

In the IT industry, credentials and achievements are extremely important. That's why a degree AND industry certifications are both crucial in demonstrating your knowledge and experience. And at WGU, we want to make sure you can earn both. That's why all of our IT programs offer top industry certifications as part of the program. You'll be prepared for certification exams as part of your coursework, and the fee for the exam is included in your tuition. You can boost your résumé before you even graduate, increase your earning potential, and stand out from the competition with a degree and industry certifications.

Time to Graduation

The average time to complete a bachelor's degree with WGU is 2.5 years*, proving that WGU students are motivated and use the opportunity to control their speed to graduation.

*WGU Internal Data

Salary Growth

Just 2 years after graduation, WGU students report earning $22,200 1 more per year, and $30,300 after 4 years. 

1 2023  Harris Poll of 1,655 WGU graduates.

Transfer Average

Students transfer an average of 34 credits to bachelor's programs at WGU, helping them move through their degree program even faster.

ONLINE IT BACHELOR'S DEGREES

Boost Your Résumé With an Information Technology Bachelor's Degree and Industry Certs

You're ready to enhance your offering, earn more money, or find a career you love in the IT field. And a bachelor's degree in information technology is exactly what you need to do it. When you earn an IT bachelor's degree from WGU, you can use your current knowledge and experience to help you move through the program faster. 

You don't have to log in to class at a certain time, and there are no due-dates for your assignments. You are completely in charge of your education. And not only will you earn a degree, you'll also get top industry certifications at  no extra cost.  Get ready for an exciting and lucrative career with a bachelor's degree in information technology from WGU.

Stay on Top of IT Industry Trends

Academic Excellence

WGU's B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree program has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through the academic year 2026.  

ABET Accreditation

The B.S. in Computer Science program is accredited by ABET.  ABET is the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineer, and engineering technology. 

Center for Cyber Education

WGU's CCE provides students with faculty trained in areas like network security, cryptography, digital forensics, cyber law, cyber policy, cloud security, cyber defense, and data management.

Online. Nonprofit. Affordable.

Earn a Bachelor's Degree in IT on Your Schedule

You are closer to a bachelor's degree than you think! At WGU, our unique learning model is focused on helping you master material. You don't have to log in to classes, and there aren't due dates for your assignments. You can progress through your courses as quickly as you master the material. This means that you can use your current knowledge and experience to your advantage, or you can spend more time studying a subject that's difficult. You are truly in the driver's seat of your education when you earn an IT bachelor's degree from WGU.

COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION

Competency:  Demonstrated knowledge, skill, or ability required to advance in a degree program.

At WGU, course competencies are defined by an expert council, including employers.

AT YOUR OWN PACE

At WGU, you are in charge of setting the pace. Spend time on areas where you need more understanding and accelerate in subjects where you already have knowledge.

Drive Change in Your Community

If you’re ready to lead, we’re ready to help with the WGU Leadership Scholarship . Valued at up to $5,000, the scholarship can be applied toward any of our respected bachelor’s or master’s degrees in business, healthcare, education, and IT. Now is the time to change your life, so you can help change the lives of others.

You're Too Smart to Spend More Than You Need To

Tuition in our programs is about  half*  what you'd pay at many other online universities—and it's charged at a flat rate, not per course or per credit, so when you finish faster, you spend even less. There's a good reason WGU has been named a  Best Value School  by  University Research & Review   year after year.

Earn a Respected Degree in Cybersecurity

WGU's already-low, flat-rate tuition makes earning your degree online affordable. With the  Cybersecurity Scholarship , you can save even more. Valued at up to $5,000, this scholarship is awarded with $1,250 credited per six-month term up to four terms. Get the applicable, real-world skills you’ll need with in-demand certs included. 

*WGU average annual bachelor’s tuition rates are 47% lower than the national average, compared to national rates reported by the  Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems in 2022 . WGU average rate does not include rates for WGU Bachelor of Science, Nursing Prelicensure program.

What Our IT Students Are Saying

See what WGU students and graduates say about our information technology degree programs.

"Being a female in tech, I wanted to expand my knowledge into areas I knew nothing about. This is why I went into Cybersecurity. I was only 17 at the time, and challenged myself as well to complete it as fast as possible. While my goal was 6 months, I ended up finishing in 1 year! I quite literally flew through 4 years of college into just 1 year."

—Uroosa Shah B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance  

"I chose WGU because of its ease, price, and the possibility of gaining IT certifications along with my degree. Now that I've graduated, I have four years of IT experience, a bachelor's degree, and five IT certifications that help show that my skills are valuable. That's a really good jumpstart for a career. After I graduated from WGU I quickly got a much better job and nearly doubled my salary."

—Eric Gardner B.S. Information Technology

Prepared for Success on the Job

*From a 2023  Harris Poll of 300 employers of WGU graduates.

100% of employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.*

97% of employers said that they would hire another WGU grad.*

98% of employers said WGU graduates met or exceeded expectations.*

Frequently Asked Questions About Information Technology Bachelor's Degrees

What is a degree in information technology.

A degree in information technology is an undergraduate program focused on data, computers, technology, and more. These kinds of degrees are focused on all the technological elements that make our world go round.

How long does it take to get a degree in information technology?

From a traditional school an information technology bachelor's degree will take about 4 years to earn. However, there are options to accelerate. For example at WGU, students can utilize their experience or understanding to move faster through courses. Most students finish a WGU information technology bachelor's degree in just three years or less.

What jobs can I get with a degree in information technology?

If you have a bachelor's degree in an IT field, there are many job opportunities that will open up to you. Some of them include:

• Software developer
• Computer systems analyst
• Cybersecurity analyst
• Computer network architect
• Software engineer
• Hardware engineer
• Network administrator

Can I get an IT degree online?

Yes! IT degrees are available online for students who don't want to attend a traditional university. WGU is a completely online university that allows students to pursue their degrees remotely. Students are able to learn, do assignments, and take assessments completely online at WGU.

Which IT degree should I get?

The type of information technology degree you should earn completely depends on what your career goals are. For example, if you want to be involved in coding and programming, a software development degree may be the best fit. If you're interested in IT security, a cybersecurity degree may be your best choice. Consider your end career goal and use that to help you determine which type of IT bachelor's degree will be best for you.

What are the benefits of getting a Bachelor's degree?

Our fully accredited bachelor's degree courses are designed to help you develop the career-oriented skills you need to advance in your current position or seek a new opportunity. If you know which bachelor’s degree program is for you, find out how an online learning experience can give you the education you need to succeed in your career.

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More From Forbes

5 free ai courses with certifications in 2024.

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Generative AI courses are the most popular certifications on Coursera, with more than 300,000 ... [+] learners for each top course

With Generative AI potentially adding close to a 50% bump to salaries in 2024, and transforming industries while rocking job prospects globally, artificial intelligence has professionals everywhere eagerly interested in pursuing AI upskilling.

According to Coursera, an online learning site for career skills development, the platform surpassed two million enrolments in AI-focused courses, demonstrating how people are starting to realize the value of studying AI to improve their work, businesses, and careers.

Coursera analysis revealed the top five AI courses (that also come with certificates) which had the highest number of enrolments to date and appear to be a clear favorite among learners. These courses are available for free, granted you meet the criteria to apply for funding support and are eligible.

The list includes:

1. Introduction To Generative AI

This introductory course by Google Cloud sets the tone for the rest of your AI upskilling journey, and explains basic concepts such as what Generative AI is, and GenAI applications. It only takes about an hour to complete, according to the website, and it is actually part of an Introduction to Generative AI learning path, meaning there are other similar courses which build upon the knowledge you've gained here, for you to pursue.

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Delivered by Vanderbilt University, this course teaches a fundamental skill that helps you apply AI in the workplace context—prompt engineering. Prompt engineering entails knowing what prompts or inputs to train AI models on so that they can give you the results you need.

3. Generative AI For Everyone

DeepLearning.AI's GenAI course is taught by instructor Andrew Ng, and is more of an in-depth introduction to artificial intelligence. Taking only five hours to complete according to the website, the course covers understanding of AI project lifecycles, discussion of GenAI software and workflows, and perhaps most importantly, how to use this technology responsibly and ethically.

4. Generative AI with Large Language Models

This course , delivered by DeepLearning.AI instructors in conjunction with AWS (Amazon Web Services), covers topics such as fine-tuning and evaluating LLMs (large language models), generative AI use cases, LLM application architecture, and some online lab work to reinforce what you've learned into actual practice.

5. Google AI Essentials

This course has the highest number of enrolments compared to the other courses listed above, standing at over 360,000 learners at the time of writing, making this truly one of Coursera's most popular courses. Suitable for beginner level and taught by Google's AI experts, this certificate will teach you everything you need to know at the foundational level, covering topics such as AI bias, privacy and security considerations, AI tools usage, and the correlation between artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Coursera is not the only platform providing AI courses. There are other platforms where you can learn AI skills for free, at your own pace, such as LinkedIn Learning, Codeacademy, Databricks, and even Harvard University.

These beginner-friendly courses teach you how AI and LLMs work, prompt engineering skills, and ... [+] practical everyday use cases

Take advantage of every opportunity you have afforded to you, to grow professionally, and learn and develop new skills every day. This will make you in-demand throughout your career and enable you to future-proof yourself against many career pitfalls.

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• Radiologic Sciences Department
• Diagnostic Medical Imaging (DMI) Program
• DMI Program Admissions
• DMI Program FAQs
• Mammography

Preparation for Careers in Radiologic Technology

Through didactic and clinical experience, the Radiologic Sciences Department provides advancement in the allied health care industry by fostering ethical and compassionate behavior, professional development, and respect for diversity.

Mission Statement

The Radiologic Sciences Department at City College of San Francisco is dedicated to the advancement of the allied health care industry by providing educational opportunities that foster ethical and compassionate behavior, professional development, and a respect for human diversity. The accomplishment of this mission is embedded in our values through the department’s acronym: CCSF RADSCI 

Our Values 

• Compassionate patient care 
• Continued pursuit of learning 
• Sensitivity to the learning needs of our students 
• Fair and equitable treatment for all 
• Respect for all 
• Accountability and ethical behavior 
• Diversity consciousness 
• Service to the community and the advancement of the Radiologic Technology Profession 
• Commitment to excellence in the Radiologic Technology Profession 
• Integrity of the educational process 

Our Vision 

To provide superior didactic and clinical educational opportunities that ensure CCSF RadSci graduates are among the highest qualified radiologic technologists in the industry. 

How we Achieve our Vision 

Currency in Didactic Instruction: When our teachers speak from experience, it is current. Most of them continue to practice in the field and are lecturing on their work experiences that occurred in the very recent past. Many faculty members serve on various statewide and national committees that determine the future of Radiologic Technology practice and hold multiple degrees and credentials. 

Superior Laboratory Facilities: The CCSF RadSci Department strives to maintain equipment that reflects what is currently used in the clinical setting. This ensures that students develop strong skills that accompany them into the medical environment. 

Strong Clinical Affiliates: The Diagnostic Medical Imaging Program is affiliated with one of the leading Level I trauma centers in the nation: Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, and with two of the mostly highly rated hospitals in the country: UCSF Medical Center, and California Pacific Medical Center, which provides an emphasis on excellent customer service. Our affiliates are set in a dynamic urban environment, which provides experience with a diverse patient and professional population.  This combination of excellence in didactic and clinical instruction opportunities ensures that CCSF RadSci Department will fulfill its vision, now and in the future. 

Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation from City College of San Francisco's Diagnostic Medical Imaging Program, students will be able to perform the following goals and student learning outcomes:

• Students will apply positioning skills
• Students will practice radiation protection
• Students will analyze radiographic images
• Students will manipulate technical factors
• Students will demonstrate professional ethics
• Students will demonstrate an appreciation for radiologic sciences
• Students will demonstrate oral communication skills
• Students will practice written communication skills

The Diagnostic Medical Imaging program at City College of San Francisco is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology  (JRCERT). 

JRCERT Contact Information: 20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850 Chicago, IL 60606-3182 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.jrcert.org/

Most Recent Site Visit: 09/2021 Awarded accreditation for a period of eight years

The JRCERT promotes excellence in education and enhances the quality and safety of patient care through the accreditation of educational programs. The only agency recognized by the United States Department of Education to accredit educational programs in radiography and radiation therapy, the JRCERT accredits educational programs in radiography and radiation therapy and in the related disciplines of magnetic resonance and medical dosimeter.

JRCERT Standards

The Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) Standards for an Accredited Educational Program in Radiography are designed to promote academic excellence, patient safety, and quality healthcare. The Standards require a program to articulate its purposes; to demonstrate that it has adequate human, physical, and financial resources effectively organized for the accomplishment of its purposes; to document its effectiveness in accomplishing these purposes; and to provide assurance that it can continue to meet accreditation standards. Detailed information about the standards can be found on the JRCERT website https://www.jrcert.org/ .

• Standard 1: Accountability, Fair Practices, and Public Information
• Standard 2: Institutional Commitment and Resources
• Standard 3: Faculty and Staff
• Standard 4: Curriculum and Academic Practices
• Standard 5: Health and Safety
• Standard 6: Programmatic Effectiveness and Assessment: Using Data for Sustained Improvement

Accreditation

Specialized Accreditation

Regional Accreditation

MBA AACSB Accreditation

The JRCERT makes available the program effectiveness data (credentialing examination pass rate, job placement rate, and program completion rate) of all its accredited programs on an annual basis.  This information is self-reported by the accredited programs via the annual report.  To review this information for a particular program, locate that program through the Find a Program feature or go directly to City College of San Francisco's program .

JRCERT Program Effectiveness Data

This manual is prepared for students in the Diagnostic Medical Imaging Program and contains specific information about the program. For general CCSF policies, see the CCSF student handbook and catalog. The information in the DMI Policy and Procedure manual is current when it is posted. However, the DMI Policy and Procedure manual may be revised or amended upon written notification to the student. No revision or amendment will be retroactive but will become effective upon the date of student notification. The department chair of the Radiologic Sciences Department will make the final interpretation of program policies and procedures.

Policy & Procedure Manual

A formalized written assessment plan allows the DMI Program to gather useful data to measure the goals and student learning outcomes to facilitate program improvement. Analysis of student learning outcome data allows the DMI Program to determine if it is meeting its mission, goals, and student learning outcomes. Data from the assessment plan is analyzed at the end of Fall and Spring semesters and made available to faculty, students, and communities of interest. 

• AY 2023-2024: DMI Program Assessment Plan
• AY 2022-2023: DMI Program Assessment Plan
• Spring 2022: DMI Program Assessment Plan
• Fall 2021: DMI Program Assessment Plan
• Spring 2021: DMI Program Assessment Plan
• Fall 2020: DMI Program Assessment Plan

William Morgan, M.S.R.S., R.T.(R)(ARRT), CRT Department Chair, Program Director, and Instructor

• ​​​​​ [email protected]
• M.S. - Midwestern State University
• B.A. - University of North Texas

Will Morgan is a professor, department chair, and program director who oversees the Radiologic Sciences Department and Diagnostic Medical Imaging program at City College of San Francisco. He holds a Master of Science in Radiologic Science from Midwestern State University. Being drawn to healthcare his whole life, he joined the healthcare profession in 2004 as a graduate of the U.S. Army radiography school. After completing his military service, he received his civilian ARRT certification in 2012. His experience includes acute care hospitals, urgent care, primary care, orthopedics, sports medicine, radiation safety, and education. Will works to promote compassion and equality while meeting the healthcare and educational needs of the community. In addition to his academic work, Will is an avid gamer who plays all manner of board games, video games, and tabletop games, including Dungeons and Dragons.

Dallas Fair, B.A., R.T.(R)(ARRT), CRT  Lead Clinical Coordinator and Instructor

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• B.A. - San Francisco State University
• A.S. - City College of San Francisco

I was raised in SF North Beach neighborhood. I'm a graduate of SFSU and CCSF DMI program in 2014. I believe community college such as CCSF provides important opportunities for everyone who wants a higher education or a vocational education.

I graduated from the DMI program in December 2014. I started my radiology career in pediatrics at the CPMC California Campus. After 2 years of experience, I became an assistant clinical instructor. I am very grateful for a new skill and career path with the DMI program. I want to give back to the program that means so much to me. That's why I feel very fortunate to be a member of an incredible faculty team.

Kathy Hurley, M.A., R.T.(R)(RDMS)(ARRT), CRT Clinical Coordinator and Instructor

• [email protected]
• M.A. - San Francisco State University

Kathy Hurley M.A., CRT, RDMS Kathy Hurley has taught at City College of San Francisco since 1988. She is a native San Franciscan and a graduate of the CCSF Radiography program. She continued her education at San Francisco State University, earning a B.A. Health Science and an M.A. Education.

Kathy's teaching responsibilities include lecture/lab courses and working closely with the program's Clinical Coordinator. In addition, she continues to be actively involved in the clinical setting, having gained a wide range of experience after working in several imaging modalities. She is also a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer. Along with being an instructor, she holds a position as a sonographer at St. Mary's Medical Center.

Terry Fernandes, B.S., R.T.(R)(CT)(ARRT), CRT Instructor

• [email protected]
• B.S. - Cal Poly Pomona

Mr. Fernandes started his career as a Hardware Design Engineer designing and developing communications products, primarily for telephone companies. At age 40, after eighteen years as an Engineer, he came back to CCSF and completed the Diagnostic Imaging Program. Currently, he is the nighttime Radiologic Technologist at St. Francis Hospital in San Francisco.

Terry's interest in education lead him to venture into another career path as a guest speaker/guest lecturer in the Introduction to Radiologic Technology course in the Radiologic Sciences Dept at CCSF. In 2015, he began teaching the Fundamentals of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Course.

Terry's personal life revolves around his family. He loves traveling and has traveled around the world.

David Poon, B.S., R.T.(R)(ARRT), CRT Instructor

• [email protected]
• B.S. - Fort Hays State University

David Poon is currently a principal radiologic technologist and supervisor at UCSF Medical Center, Parnassus campus, where he also serves as an assistant clinical instructor. Mr. Poon serves on the California Society of Radiologic Technologists (CSRT) board of directors and is a past president.

Mr. Poon was one of three individuals in the country to be awarded the 2016 "I am Gold Standard Award", presented by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

David has written numerous radiology articles for state and national publications and is a frequent guest speaker. He is a member of the CSRT, ASRT, and AHRA. David believes in higher education and is currently pursuing a Master's degree.

Stefanie Fitz, B.S., R.T.(R)(CT)(VI)(ARRT), CRT Instructor

• [email protected]
• B.S. - San Francisco State University

Stefanie graduated from SF State University with a B.S. in Kinesiology. She decided she wanted to work closely with patients in a hospital, so she went back to school and graduated from CCSF in Diagnostic Medical Imaging in 2004. Having worked in many hospitals in the Bay Area, she now works full-time at San Francisco General Hospital in Interventional Radiology. Becoming a teacher is new for her, but she is excited to share her knowledge of Interventional Radiology.

Thomas Hall, B.A., R.T.(R)(ARRT), CRT Instructor

• [email protected]
• B.A. - UC Berkeley

Graduated UCSF Medical Center radiology tech program in 1976. Worked in the radiology department of Ambulatory Care Center at UCSF Medical Center from 1976 to 2007. Part-time faculty at CCSF since 1991.

Patti Hopkins, M.S., R.T.(R)(CT)(ARRT), CRT Clinical Coordinator

• [email protected]
• M.S. - University of St. Francis
• B.S. - University of St. Francis

Patti graduated from Radiologic Technology in 1968 and has been an actively employed technologist for 42 years. Patti has worked at various hospitals in the Bay Area and Salt Lake City, Utah, throughout her career. Her radiographic experience includes acute care hospital, trauma, mobile and operative imaging, cardiovascular/interventional, mammography, and computing technology. She also was a Program Director for Mills-Peninsula School of Diagnostic Imaging for 17 years. She has served as an expert witness for legal cases involving radiographers. As a didactic instructor since 1998, Patti has taught many classes, including anatomy, cross-sectional, neuroanatomy, radiographic pathology, image analysis, radiographic positioning, and principles of computed tomography. Patti is also a volunteer at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, the Campus Service Coordinator for Mills Hospital in San Mateo, and a member of the Auxiliary Board. In her spare time, she knits lap blankets for terminally ill cancer patients.

Lynn Aung, B.S., R.T.(R)(ARRT), CRT Instructor

• [email protected]
• B.S. - University of Computer Science, Yangon
• A.S. - Cañada College

Lynn was born and raised in Yangon, Myanmar. He graduated from the University of Computer Studies, Yangon, in 2005; and then immigrated to Daly City, California, in 2006. He began his new major in Radiography after being exposed to the field through his volunteer work at California Pacific Medical Center in 2009. He earned his A.S. in Radiologic Technology at Cañada College of Redwood City in 2014.

Lynn’s radiographic experience comprises general, cosmetic, and orthodontic dental and reconstructive maxillomandibular imaging; urgent care; orthopedics; geriatrics; pediatrics; surgery and chronic pain management clinic; acute care hospital; and VA hospital. He’s currently a clinical instructor and radiographer at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center and the School of Diagnostic Imaging of Burlingame. He started teaching didactic classes in 2019. Since then, he has been an educator of Radiographic Physics and Imaging; Radiation Protection and Radiobiology; Image Analysis; Digital and PACS; Computed Tomography; and Registry Review.

Leslie "Les" Yim, B.A., R.T.(R)(ARRT), CRT Faculty Emeritus

• [email protected]
• A.A. - City College of San Francisco

Les Yim was born and raised in San Francisco, graduated from the CCSF Radiography Program in 1975, and began teaching here in 1982. He served as Radiologic Technology Department Chair for 17 years, overseeing both the Diagnostic Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Technology Programs. He is a member of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, the California Society of Radiologic Technologists, and past-President of the Radiology Educators of California.

Mr. Yim is also a professional musician. He has played drums since grammar school and is a long-time member of "Expo," a popular brand that has performed regularly in the Bay Area for more than 30 years.

Anthony Mandapat, B.S., R.T.(R)(ARRT), CRT Instructor

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Anthony was born and raised in San Francisco and graduated from the CCSF DMI program. Since then, he has worked at the UCSF Orthopaedic Institute and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital as a Radiologic Technologist.

Outside of work Anthony enjoys anything from concerts, festivals, and breweries to video games, D&D, and the NBA.

Mr. Mandapat is most excited to continually give back to the community and the city that raised him while finding joy in doing hard work and gifting kindness.

Aziza Fassil, B.S., R.T.(R)(M)(BD)(ARRT), CRT Instructor

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• B.S. - Ecole Normal Superior in Morocco

Aziza taught Biology for 17 years. She is certified in stem cell research and worked at UCSF as a lab assistant. Now she is certified in Mammography, Dexa, and diagnostic radiography. She has been in the radiography field since 2014.

Chinese university announces first marriage-related degree course

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Reporting by Farah Master and the Beijing newsroom Editing by Tomasz Janowski

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X's handling of UK riots could influence EU probe

An ongoing European Commission investigation into social media platform X could take its handling of harmful content related to the recent UK riots into account, a spokesperson said.