Post-secondary education, also called higher or tertiary education, is an optional level of studying beyond what is required by law. In America, school is compulsory through age 16 or until a certificate of completion is granted. Undergraduate, graduate and professional college programs are all types of post-secondary education.

In many countries, some schooling is required in order to provide citizens with a basic education. Typically, enforced education covers a wide variety of topics, such as mathematics, science, history, and literature. The goal of most compulsory studies is to ensure a basic survival knowledge that will prepare students for the working world.

In contrast, post-secondary education is optional, for those who wish to obtain degrees, learn a specific trade, or simply gain scholarly knowledge of a particular field. Much of the time, post-secondary education is undertaken so students can qualify for higher-paying jobs that require certain degrees or courses of study. To be certified as a doctor in the United States, for instance, you must attend an undergraduate program as well as graduate from a professional medical school.

There are many varieties of post-secondary education, as many different career paths require educational training beyond high school. Undergraduate programs, one of the most common types of post-secondary school, are typically four year courses of study that result in a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. These degree programs usually require two years of general education and two years of intensive study in a particular field, such as theater, biology, or psychology.

Graduate study programs are another form of post-secondary school, usually reserved for those with a BA or who have met alternative competency requirements. These programs typically award Master of Arts (MA) or Doctoral (PhD) degrees. Some positions, such as university teaching jobs, require these higher level degrees, while other students may choose to join a program to receive better and more focused training in their field. Graduate programs may be attached to a large university as an addition to their undergraduate programs, or may exist on their own, such as the American Film Institute Conservatory.

Professional or vocational schools are another type of post-secondary institutions, similar to graduate programs but aimed at creating professionals in a particular discipline. These schools train all students in a specific field, such as law, medicine, or business. Some large universities have vocational programs that offer specialized degrees, rather than a general university degree. At the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA,) students can apply to attend not only the university, but also the professional programs offered by the Geffen School of Medicine, the School of Law, or the Anderson School of Management.

Post-secondary school is a luxury to many because of the high costs and time requirements. If you are raising a family or working full-time, devoting your life to a demanding higher education program may be difficult or completely impossible. Fees are often high, and some critics question the long-held belief that a better degree will result in a higher-paying job. If you feel compelled to achieve post-secondary education but are unsure of how to afford it, look carefully for loans, grants and scholarships offered by the school, the government, and private or outside sources. It is possible to attend post-secondary school without a lot of money, but you may definitely need a high-paying job in order to pay it back after graduation.