Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees. In general, Associates and Bachelors degrees are considered undergraduate course work, while the Masters and Doctoral degrees are considered graduate course work. Graduate course work - in most cases - is very specific and particular to one field of study. Thus, the graduate study is advanced course work which follows undergraduate course work. An undergraduate degree is awarded for the completion of 2 years (associates) or 4 years (bachelors) of college level study.