Post-Secondary education, also known as “higher education,” “third-level education,” or “tertiary education,” is a subtype of education that doesn’t result in a degree. This type of education generally refers to the educational programs you can take after graduating high school. Students today no longer need to follow the tradition of going to college or university to obtain this form of education. Instead, they can enrol in online classes to expand their opportunities and meet their career goals.
Post-Secondary Education is available for the youth and anyone who would like to learn something new or complete their education.
Secondary VS Post-Secondary Education
Post-Secondary education isn’t mandatory. It is an entirely optional form of education, unlike secondary education, which is compulsory for anyone under 18. A common form of secondary education is high school, although anyone who has taken their GED (General Education Development) tests or equivalent will have completed their Secondary Education.
Post-Secondary Education is often referred to as the final stage of formal learning and can lead towards an academic degree. Any diplomas, certificates, or trade certificates you obtain before your initial degree falls under Post-Secondary Education.
It’s impossible to attend Post-Secondary Education without completing high school or obtaining a secondary education diploma.
What are the Different Types of Post-Secondary Institutions?
Perhaps you are interested in obtaining a Post-Secondary education without the student loan debt. This is a possibility as Post-Secondary Education is no longer limited to universities. There are many options available, and you’ll be sure to find one that suits you best.
Vocational Schools:
These are often better known as trade schools or tech schools. Vocational schools teach their students the technical side of specific crafts or skills. In college, you receive academic training for careers in certain professional disciplines. This is different in a Vocational school, as the students undergo job-specific training. This is important in fields where specific physical skills are needed more than academic learning.
There are different kinds of courses you can find at a vocational school:
Healthcare and nursing: These are good options for people who’d like to work as caregivers.
Computer Network Management: This teaches you the process of administering and managing computer networks.
Word Processing application: This is helpful in secretarial positions.
Food and beverage management: An easy way to get a foot into the hospitality industry. This focuses on planning menus and managing food and beverage stock levels.
Fashion designing: A course like this will teach you the art of applying design, aesthetics, clothing construction, and natural beauty to clothing and its accessories.
Electrical: You’ll learn all that is needed to be an electrician including, repairing, controlling, and maintaining control systems, lighting, communications, and electrical power in factories, businesses, homes.
Plumber: You’ll be taught how to install and repair water, gas, and other piping systems in homes, businesses, and factories.
Carpentry: This is a skilled trade and a craft. Carpenters construct, repair, and install building frameworks and structures made from wood and other materials.
Commercial pilot: You’ll be taught how to operate an airplane and be paid to fly for transportation of mail, passengers, or freight or for another commercial purpose
Catering and hotel management: Such a course will teach you how to efficiently plan, organize and develop the food and beverage services of organizations and businesses while meeting food and hygiene standards, customer expectations, and financial targets.
Daycare management: This course teaches you how to responsibly help daycare and childcare centers manage day-to-day business operations while also providing efficacious child care assistance.
Hairstyling, cosmetics, and beautification: You’ll learn about different styles and products. This will help you open your own salon or offer private services to brides.
Paralegal studies: With this course, you’ll learn about the legal profession and develop legal skills by covering different aspects of the law.
Massage therapy: You’ll be taught different techniques to enhance wellness and manage health conditions. You’ll learn how to manipulate the body’s soft tissue to relieve pain.
Pharmacy technician: You’ll be responsible for filling prescriptions and checking inventory. A pharmacy technician course will teach you how to do that effectively.
Travel agent: Such a course will teach you how to plan holidays and accommodation according to your client’s needs.
Different Vocational schools will provide different courses. It’s important to find a school suited for your needs.
Community College:
These are also known as “two-year colleges.” They allow students to earn associate’s degrees after two years. Community colleges don’t just offer academic classes but different programs for the community.
Community colleges only offer the general education requirements; therefore, it takes half the time to earn a diploma. This differs in regular colleges and universities as you spend four years studying. The first two years are dedicated to the general education requirements, and the other two are devoted to specialized classes focusing on your major.
Community college could not only help you find employment but help you enter a university as well. The classes you’ve completed could be added as credit, and you can work towards a bachelor’s degree by completing two more years in your major.
Some associate’s degrees programs offered at community colleges are:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- mathematics
Non-Degree Holders:
There are two types of non-degree holders:
Students who attend college or university go to undergraduate, master, or doctorate classes but do not earn a degree. These students are solely learning for specific classes to pursue academic interests. They don’t see the need to study for the full degree. They might do this to add the specific classes to their resume or simply want to learn in a specific field.
Online classes or classroom programs on specific topics also fall under non-degree holders. These classes can be used for resume-building skills or personal enrichment. Again, there are no diplomas involved in this form of education, but a certificate of completion will be given to you.
Universities and College:
This is the most common choice of Post-Secondary Education. They can provide bachelor’s degrees for high school students but post-graduate degrees for college students.
Examples of post-graduate degrees that fall under this bracket include:
- Graduate school
- Law School
- Medical School
- Dental School
- Business school
Some people attend post-secondary education institutes to obtain a master’s degree. They do this to have a better shot at finding high-ranking job opportunities.
If you’d like to enter the field of medicine or law, you’ll need to enroll and obtain the necessary qualifications to enter a job in that role.
Universities and College is a more expensive form of Post-Secondary Education. You can apply for a student loan or a scholarship. Scholarship programs are very competitive; therefore, you’ll need to show a lot of academic or athletic promise to get one.
Post-Secondary Education
There are many ways to obtain a Post-Secondary Education. The most important thing to do is to decide on your career path. Take your strengths and weaknesses into consideration when thinking about a Post-Secondary Education.
