Every step of education requires a decision to be made. Remember when you completed class 10th, you had three streams to choose from? Deciding what to study has been a constant problem among students. Therefore, even after completing higher secondary school, one has to decide a course among more than 100s of courses. Generally, there are two types of degree courses one can consider after 12th, academic and professional degree courses.
A professional degree holder is equipped with skills to practice a profession. These professions include law, architecture, medicine, pharmacy and more. These professions require a specified degree course to be completed called a professional degree. For example, an aviation manager would have done a BBA in Aviation after class 12th or any other professional degree majoring in aviation.
An academic degree primarily focuses on a specific field of academics. The academic degree courses, commonly known as foundation courses, are designed to impart knowledge based on theory, history, and methodology, rather than practical knowledge that is typically delivered via a professional degree course. Academic degree courses include B.A., BSc, and B. Com. These courses might also have specialised subjects.
Academic Degree VS Professional Degree: Pros and Cons
After 12th commerce, higher education aspirants are more likely to land in a B.Com college and pursue an M. Com degree or a specialised professional course. B Com admission is generally based on the merit of a candidate in class 12th. So now you know the employment sectors, let’s hop on to what can be done after B. Com in terms of courses to have a well-defined career path with a handsome pay package.
Both the types of degrees have merits as well as demerits. To make an informed decision, one must know the pros and cons of choosing a course. Space below helps class 12th passouts in the course selection.
Benefits of an Academic Degree
Wide career options after the course: Primary benefits of pursuing an academic degree is availability of career options in diverse fields.
Merit based admissions: Most of the academic degree course admissions are based on merit of the qualifying exam. Candidates need not appear for any entrance exam for admission. However, some colleges offering professional degrees also accept the merit of class 12th for BBA Admission. On the contrary, most of the institutes would conduct an entrance exam.
Demerits of an Academic Degree
Doesn’t make you job-ready: Academic degree courses are designed to provide theoretical knowledge; hence, does not bring in predefined jobs.
Cutoffs are generally high: The admissions into a UG academic degree course is based on merit of class 12th. Institutes release cutoff scores for admission. These cutoff scores are released to screen students for the course. Cutoffs for admission after 12th are generally high, this makes a student consider an entrance exam for professional degree admission.
Benefits of a Professional Degree
Provides practical knowledge: A professional degree course is designed to provide practical skills to the students. Practical training, internships, field projects are some primary benefits that come along with a professional degree. Students become industry-ready before completing the course.
Admission based on entrance exams: Candidates need not worry about the class 12th scores as the eligibility includes mere qualifying the exam. The admission of a professional course is based on entrance exams. For example, to pursue a BBA LLB Course, aspirants need to have a CLAT rank and a class 12th qualifying certificate. In the case of an academic degree, one must have a high class 12th score for admission.
Demerits of a Professional Degree
Restricted job options: Pursuing a professional degree will lead to restricted career options. One pursuing an MBBS degree has very limited career options revolving around the medicine field. Thus, switching career paths becomes difficult.
Competition is high: The competition in the professional fields is generally high owing to a defined career path from the starting of the course.
Conclusion
Choosing a course at a higher education level can be a major life changing decision. Choosing the right college and course is important to provide a direction to the career of the student. Thus, one must make an informed decision based on his/her interests, future goals, and scope of the course.
