Understanding degrees for licensed professions vs unlicensed is essential before you choose a university and a career path. The school you go to and the program you attend matter a lot if you want to enter a profession or field that requires a license to practice.
Know Before You Go!
So before you pick a university to attend, make sure you understand the difference between careers that require a license and those that don’t. This distinction can affect your education, training, and also employment options. Keep reading for the breakdown!
1. Careers that Require a License
These careers often involve specialized knowledge, skills, and regulatory oversight, meaning that a professional license is legally required to practice. In these fields, universities typically offer programs that prepare students to meet licensure requirements through specific coursework and practical training.
After graduation, individuals must usually pass a licensing exam in the state where they practice. Sometimes these state based licenses transfer to other states, but sometimes these professionals have to apply for new licenses. So, its important to understand you may not be able to work in any state with your license. Nurses are probably the most progressive professional group when it comes to licensing and have systematic reciprocity with all states that join their licensing compact.
You should thoroughly research the requirements for where you live before spending any money or time. Just make sure its right for you before you leap! Visit the National Occupational Licensing Database to search for all licensed professions in your state.
Examples of Licensed Professions:
- Healthcare Professions: Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Pharmacists, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists
- Counseling: Social Workers, Psychologists, Therapists, and Counselors
- Construction: Building contractors, Electricians, Plumbers, and HVAC Contractors
- Legal Professions: Lawyers (require a law degree and passing a bar exam)
- Engineering: Professional Engineers (PE) in certain fields
- Education: Teachers (K-12) and Teacher Assistants
- Architecture: Requires passing the Architect Registration Exam (ARE)
- Finance: Certain Financial Advisors and Certified Public Accountants (CPAs)
- Real Estate: Real Estate agents, real Estate Appraisers, and Real Estate Brokers
- Safety: Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), Security Guards, Security Alarm Technicians, and also Private Detectives
- Other: Cosmetologists, Barbers, Massage Therapists, Land Surveyors, and pest control workers
Key Considerations for Licensed Professions:
- Accreditation: Ensure the university’s program is accredited and meets the standards required for licensure.
- Internships or residencies: Many licensure programs require practical experience, which is often a part of the university curriculum.
- State or regional variations: Licensing requirements may vary by location, so you’ll need to ensure your program aligns with the rules where you plan to practice.
2. Careers that Don’t Require a License
These careers often don’t have legal restrictions on who can practice. While formal education (such as a degree) is valuable and sometimes necessary, a specific license is not required to enter or practice in these fields. University programs for these careers focus more on general education, skills development, and industry-specific knowledge, rather than preparation for a licensing exam.
Examples of Unlicensed Professions:
- Business: Marketing, Management, Human Resources
- Information Technology: Software Development, IT Support, Data Analysis
- Creative Fields: Graphic Design, writing, filmmaking, web development
- Social Sciences: Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology (although clinical psychology may require a license)
- Communication and Media: Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing and Advertising
Key Considerations for Unlicensed Professions:
- Certifications: While not legally required, some careers may still benefit from industry certifications (e.g., project management certifications, IT certifications).
- Flexibility: Careers without licensing requirements offer more flexibility in career changes and are often less regulated in terms of educational background.
- Practical experience: Internships, portfolios, or work experience can be critical in securing a job in these fields, even without a license.
Differences in Choosing a Degree Program
- Curriculum design: Programs that lead to licensure often have a more structured, standardized curriculum compared to those that don’t. Because of the license requirements, degrees that lead to licensure have fewer 100% online options.
- Post-graduation steps: Careers requiring licensure often need extra steps after graduation, such as passing exams or completing clinical hours. Most of these are dictated at the state level so can vary from state to state.
- Accreditation and program approval: For licensed professions, it’s crucial to ensure the university’s program is accredited and recognized by the relevant licensing body.
When selecting a university, consider whether your intended career path will need a license and whether the university’s program supports licensure preparation.
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