illustration of a young man in a wheelchair looking at a chart full of educational options.

Your Post-High School Educational Options

It’s never too late to start planning for a career, whether you’re in high school or have your diploma and want to explore working in a particular industry or job. 

If there’s a particular career you’re considering, be sure you know how much and what kind of education or training is required. See our Resources below. 

Whether your interests include attending a community college, a university, or a trade school, you can explore the options available to you in Nevada on Nevada Trip’s Postsecondary Education page.

High School Diploma and GED

Nevada’s Department of Education offers six high school diploma types: College and Career Ready (CCR), Advanced, Standard, Alternative, Adjusted, and Adult. Each one is based on different requirements for credit units, GPA, assessments, and additional student needs, such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Learn more at https://doe.nv.gov/offices/office-of-teaching-and-learning/high-school-graduation. 

Nevada Trip’s Supports in High School page details some helpful resources in Nevada that can help you (while you’re still in high school) plan your future, whether that involves college, entering the workforce or something else.

Associate Degree

Often called a two-year degree, an associate degree is a minimum standard for many jobs, including technician and assistant roles in health care, technology, education, and more. They can usually be earned at community colleges, are transferable to four-year colleges and count toward bachelor degree programs, and are often more affordable than other degrees that take longer to complete. Some associate degree programs even have options to immediately continue into a related bachelor program at a partner university — for example, Truckee Meadows Community College to University of Nevada, Reno.

Bachelor Degrees

With only a handful of exceptions, a bachelor’s degree can be completed in four years, and is typically offered only at four-year colleges and universities, although some community colleges may offer a few bachelor’s programs for fields that are in high demand in those communities. According to The College Board, people with bachelor’s degrees earn an average of 60% more than those who only have high school diplomas.

Graduate Degrees

Many careers require more years of highly specialized schooling in order to work in those roles. For example, scientists, doctors, school principals, lawyers, and some other roles need either master’s degrees — two years of school beyond bachelor’s degrees — or doctoral degrees — two or more years beyond bachelor’s degrees. 

Vocational/Skills Training

Some specific job skills can be learned through small, focused training programs. After a shorter period of time than a degree —  often just a few months or less — students can earn certifications, licenses, or diplomas that demonstrate specialized expertise to potential employers. These may be offered at area vocational/technical colleges, also called trade schools, as well as community colleges, universities, or even some companies (for example, Microsoft) or professional organizations (such as the Society for Human Resource Management). Some require attendance in a classroom while others can be done online.

Apprenticeships

Usually associated with skilled trades, apprenticeships are designed to provide a combination of on-the-job training (usually paid) and education that results in a credential and, usually, a full-time professional position. Learn more on our Apprenticeships page.

Resources

Not sure where to start? Here a few ideas:

Next: Preparing for Postsecondary Education