What is the highest level of degree that requires additional coursework after earning a bachelor's degree?

A doctoral degree represents the highest level of academic achievement and typically requires additional coursework beyond obtaining a bachelor’s degree. After earning a bachelor’s, students generally pursue a master's degree, where they engage in advanced studies, but this is often a step on the path to a doctoral program.

Once students enter a doctoral program, they are expected to conduct original research, complete advanced coursework, and often write a dissertation. This level of study emphasizes a deeper understanding of the field and contributes to the body of knowledge in that discipline.

In contrast, a bachelor's degree is an undergraduate degree that does not require further study, while an associate degree is typically a two-year program that precedes a bachelor’s. A master's degree, although it does require additional coursework after the bachelor's, does not surpass the doctoral level in terms of academic hierarchy. Therefore, the correct answer signifies the highest educational attainment requiring the most extensive additional study.